“In the scramble for a fortune, people have been known to overlook even the most egregious scandals,” Oz drily said. “How can you be sure your scheme will serve?” He really meant, How can you be so naive?

“I can’t be, of course. Not completely.” She smiled for the first time. “Yet you’ve not met Lady Compton.”

“Actually, I’ve had the misfortune,” he replied with a grimace. “My condolences on your prospective mother-in-law.”

“Bite your tongue,” she retorted. “If all goes well, I shan’t be saddled with her or her despicable son. My little drama, as you call it, will be published in all the scandal sheets tomorrow-without naming my partner, of course, only myself. You are quite safe, you see. Now, if you wish payment, I’d be more than happy to pay you. Money,” she quickly added.

“I don’t need money.” As heir to the largest banking fortune in India he could buy a good share of the world if he wished. And he retracted his naive assessment. The scandal sheets could ruin a lady. Although someone with large gambling debts might overlook even that degree of infamy.

She shifted slightly under his gaze. “Surely you wouldn’t take advantage of a woman.”

“I doubt I’d have to.”

Her brows arched. “Is that unimpeachable certainty usually effective?”

He smiled. “Always.”

“Such arrogance.” She glanced at his crotch. “And yet-I see no visible signs of your interest.”

“I was raised in India. I’m capable of controlling my, er, impulses.” He grinned. “Although, if you’d like to see interest”-he swept his hand downward-“observe.”

The transformation was not only instant but also profound. Wide-eyed, she took in the provocative sight.

“Is that better?” he said, his voice velvet soft.

She slowly wrenched her gaze from the flaunting display, his enormous erection stretching from crotch to navel, his blood pulsing wildly through the tracery of tumescent veins standing out in high relief on his resplendent length. “You’re definitely a flashy fellow,” she said, meeting his amused gaze, fully aware as well of the soft tremors beginning to flutter through her vagina. “Still, I think I’ll restrain myself.”