"What are you waiting for?" she whispered. He leaned down to kiss her pouting mouth again. "Do you really want to give yourself to a man like me?" he asked softly.

"Only to man like you," she said without hesitation.

He closed his eyes. "You honor me, Charlotte."

"I don't want to honor you, you scoundrel. I want you to . . . to finish what you started. Benedic, for God's sake, have a little mercy. I have never felt like this before."

"My God, I hope not." The thought was intolerable to him. If he had met her before his life had fallen apart, he had no doubt he would be approaching her brothers for her hand. "Charlotte," he said, the intensity of his expression easing, "you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm afraid the same does not hold true in reverse."

"You're wrong," she whispered. "And you aren't going to change my mind."

"God help me," he said in a low voice, "I don't intend to."