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No.

First, he would make sure Beatrice didn’t marry him. Second, he would make certain that no one ever married him ever again.

He wasn’t going to kill him, although the idea did sound enticing, especially once he remembered Beatrice’s bruised wrists. But he could ruin him. Even if he had to ask his brothers to exact revenge on his behalf.

But that led him to the inevitable question of how, if at all, would he stop Beatrice from marrying him?

The most obvious solution was to find her another husband.

Adam had a lot of acquaintances.

Sutton had said that the Mad Marquess—or should he say the Mad Duke now that his father had passed away—was coming back. And now that he was a duke, he was certainly in need of a wife. The new Tyrone wasn’t exactly known to be nice to women. He was a debauched drunkard, who had ruined his fair share of young ladies. He’d left a scandalous footprint everywhere he stepped. But he was a duke. A rich and powerful duke at that. But most importantly young.

But Adam quickly dismissed the idea.

No, Tyrone would snuff out the innocent light shining within Beatrice, and Adam didn’t want that for her.

There were other eligible men in the country, however. And when he came to pick Beatrice up for their adventure at Boodle’s, he was intent on suggesting just that.

However, now, with Beatrice cradled in his arms, her soft bottom pressing against his thighs and cock, Adam couldn’t picture Beatrice in the arms of anyone else.

Which left only one option in his mind.

He would have to be the one to marry her.

And somehow, all the puzzle pieces fell into place, and a warm light glowed from within him, telling him he was making the right choice.

All the reservations he’d had about their future were just that… reservations. He needn’t let go of his dream either. He could save Beatrice from Lansdowne and then go about his duty and pursue his passion. And when he returned, she would be waiting for him.

Resolute to offer Beatrice salvation, he opened his mouth, but his throat went dry and no words came out.

How would he go about proposing such a thing?

He cleared his throat, noticing that he’d spent too much time lost in his thoughts. “What would you like to do now?”

Beatrice’s gaze fell to his mouth, and she inhaled deeply. “How about another lesson?”

Feeling more confident now that he’d made the decision to ask for her hand, Adam leaned in and captured her mouth in a scorching kiss.

* * *

Beatrice felt a hard, long shaft, hot and insistent, poking at her buttocks as she kissed him.

Adam wanted her. That much she knew.

And she wanted him in return.

So, why the unnecessary conversation? Why waste the short time that they had together?

Kisses were so much more pleasant than words. And that was coming from a woman who loved her words.

Nothing compared to Adam’s lips pressing against hers, his tongue gently stroking against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and turned, straddling his hips. His hands immediately slipped inside her coat and under her waistcoat, his fingers tickling her skin and exciting her senses.

Beatrice squirmed in his arms. “Help me undress,” she whispered against his lips, and he chuckled, but complied.

In a moment their coats, waistcoats, and cravats were gone from both their bodies, lying in a heap on the floor. Adam scanned her body admiringly. “I can’t believe a man’s shirt looks so good on you. And those legs hugged in men’s breeches… The only thing better is seeing you naked.”

Beatrice let out a chuckle. “Why, you are being such a romantic.”