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asked, watching her face in the shadowy light.
    Her gaze jerked to his. “I would rather not have to make the choice. But if I must, then my reputation is all I have. Protecting it means something to me, yes.”
    Jeremy nodded. It was a good piece of information, for it meant that he could likely blackmail Penelope into silence in order to protect the reputation she held so dear. And that was definitely preferable to him rather than revealing her as a hypocrite and ruining her irrevocably.
    Why, he didn’t want to analyze too closely.
    “I suppose that seems silly to a man like you,” she murmured, staring out the window again.
    “Protecting your reputation?” he asked. When she nodded, he laughed. “No, it makes perfect sense. After all, I have a reputation of my own to uphold.”
    “Except you claim you want to change that reputation. Perhaps with my help.”
    Jeremy looked at her sharply again. She wasn’t looking at him, but he could feel her scrutiny nonetheless. He had to give her credit. No fool was Penelope Norman. Despite his charm, she refused to take his change of heart at his word.
    Which meant he would be forced to prove himself to her, even while he seduced her. A challenge, indeed. One he thrilled at.
    “Why don’t you tell me where we are going?” she asked, not waiting for him to answer her comment. “And how do you intend to keep me anonymous?”
    Jeremy sat up straight. Yes, it was time to get to the point of tonight. Without preamble, he moved across the carriage to sit beside her. Penelope caught her breath at the sudden action and stared up at him with wide eyes. Jeremy couldn’t help but catch his own breath. God, she smelled good. Like cinnamon, a spicy heady scent that tightened his gut and hardened his cock.
    Hopefully she wouldn’t notice that.
    “What are you doing?” she breathed, her voice broken by what he instantly sensed was desire.
    She wanted him. Despite everything.
    He smiled as he drew an intricate mask from the inside pocket of his jacket. He’d chosen blue, a turquoise color that matched her eyes perfectly. It was sewn with little jewels and tiny feathers that framed her bright eyes.
    He wrapped the soft satin fabric around her face, positioningit against her nose before he glided his fingers around the back of her head. Wicked, he leaned in as he tied it into place, moving far too close to her to be proper. He could actually feel the ragged swell of her breath and the tickle of her hair against his cheek.
    Her fingers clenched against her legs and she muffled a little sound of…well, it was either distress or desire. Probably a combination of both.
    Jeremy pulled away and smiled down at her. God, he just wanted to push her back against the cushions and slip his hands beneath her skirts. He would wager his best mount that she was already slick and ready for him, her thighs clenching and tingling.
    And he could have. In her current state, it was likely he would be able to overcome her protests, awaken the core inside of her that wanted to be touched, licked, fucked. He had never doubted his own prowess before, there was no reason to start now.
    But as much as he wanted to do that, as easily as he believed he could, his plan was far more intricate than a mere screw in a carriage that she could later dismiss. No, he needed to change Penelope. If he wanted to win, he had to make her question every belief she had. Force her to see her true, sensual nature, not just in one situation, but in every moment of her life.
    That was the only way to end her little crusade.
    So instead of dragging her against his chest, he leaned away. “Tonight, we are going to a Cyprian masked ball,” he explained.
    Penelope’s lips parted in surprise. With the rest of her face covered in blue satin and lace, her mouth stood out all the more. Damn, but they were tempting lips. Full and plump, a little wet from where she had licked them.
    “No!” she cried, breaking the spell. “You must be