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It was rather obvious what she was doing. She was finding excuses to flirt with the captivating viscount.

The dance had ended, and she curtsied, fanning her hot cheeks vigorously. She had to make her decision fast. Because the viscount was now approaching her with a purposeful stride.

His demeanor was so different from every other lord. He was a viscount, not a duke. Not even an earl. And yet, people stepped aside to make way for him.

Josephine swallowed.

That arrogance paired with the man’s handsomeness always spelled trouble for the fair sex. He stopped right in front of her and stretched out his arm. “Shall we?”

Should they?

Josephine blinked up and smiled. “We shall.”

She placed her hand on his sleeve, and he escorted her back to the dance floor. People were watching them curiously, heads bowed toward each other, no doubt discussing their assumptions about the pair.

Josephine didn’t mind the wagging tongues most of the time. They liked to pair her with different lords every week, but none of the rumors stuck. At least, not so far.

She was very careful to bestow just the right amount of attention to different men so that nobody would be singled out by her.

Somehow, it felt different now.

And it felt even more different when the first bars of the waltz struck and the viscount swept her into the dance.

His hand was burning through the layers of clothing at her back, his other hand was cradling hers firmly, yet tenderly. And his gaze…

Well, that man was staring right into her soul.

“I hope this is enough penance in your mind to account for the humiliation you allegedly suffered,” she said with a smile, trying to break the uncomfortable silence.

Lord Gage pulled on a thoughtful frown. “Not yet.”

Jo raised a brow. “Not yet?”

They twirled, the lights and people blurring in the background. Only a pair of dark blue eyes were constant in her vision.

“No. I was thinking that perhaps you would be amenable to a longer association.”

Jo’s stomach dropped. There it was. “I don’t think I can oblige,” she said with a polite smile.

“You don’t even know what I was about to offer,” he countered.

“I think I have an idea, my lord,” Jo said sweetly.

“Truly? And what is it?”

“A liaison,” Jo said and raised a brow in challenge.

“I did not expect you to answer as directly as this,” he said with an apologetic smile.

“I am not the type of woman to be coy.”

“No, you’re not,” he agreed, his gaze unfathomable.

He twirled her around again. His hand tightened on her back, drawing her closer to his hard body. The heat emanating from him was making her weak in the knees, and his scent… Well, it was rather intoxicating.

“However, I was not talking about a liaison.”

“You weren’t?” She raised her brow in disbelief.