" Forgive me, madam," he said lightly, amused, " but waiting to make love to you again is straining my nerves." She scoffed but she was quite shaken; he could see it in her expression, in the way she nervously toyed with the buttons on her pelisse." How awfully presumptuous of you to think I'd let you." " You will," he insisted soothingly.She gaped at him." Please continue," he urged. " I'm aching to hear the rest." " You're as arrogant as usual." " You missed it, though." " I absolutely did not," she asserted.He grinned. " You missed my arrogance almost as much as I missed your impudence, little one." " That's absurd." " I love you, Caroline," he softly, quickly replied, catching her off guard with such tenderness. " Move on before I decide I'm finished with this conversation, rip off your clothes, and show you how much. "