" We have received more than a few invitations to visit friends in the country." Lottie came beside him and sank to the carpeted floor, the skirts of her printed muslin skirts billowing around her. Their faces were nearly level as Nick reclined on the arm of the low-backed settee. "Even one from Westcliff, asking if we would stay a fortnight or so at Stony Cross Park."
Nick's face darkened. "No doubt the earl wants to assure himself that you're not being maltreated by your husband from hell."
Lottie couldn't help laughing. "You must admit that you were not at your most charming then."
Nick caught at her fingers as she reached over to loosen his necktie. "I wanted you too badly to bother with charm." The pad of his thumb stroked over the smooth tips of her fingernails.
"You implied that I was interchangeable with any other woman," she chided.
"In the past I learned that the best way to get something I wanted was to pretend that I didn't want it."
Lottie shook her head, perplexed. "That makes no sense at all."
Smiling, Nick released her hand and toyed the edge of her scooped neckline. "It worked," he pointed out.
With their faces close together and his vivid blue eyes staring into hers, Lottie felt a blush climbing her face. "You were very wicked that night."
His fingertip eased into the shallow valley between her breasts. "Not as nearly as wicked as I wanted to be... "

― Lisa Kleypas , Worth Any Price (Bow Street Runners, #3)