She studied the stubborn angle of his chin and his frosted-green eyes, looking for any signs of his intentions.
“Well, at least you are direct. Or is this another joke?” She couldn’t imagine how she’d save her reputation, even if this was a joke.
Then she spied the slight purple bruise that marked his cheek. The blow she’d dealt the previous night had been as strong as she’d hoped. She’d never hurt anyone before, but he deserved that and much more if he dared touch her again.
Her situation had suddenly become clear and she didn’t like it one bit. When she returned to London, only the most desperate sort of fortune hunters would take her on. After such a scandal, she’d be lucky to be received anywhere socially, let alone find a decent man to marry. But then again…her eyes flicked to Godric’s face. Would he do the honorable thing after whatever part of his plan that required ruination had been fulfilled?Can I convince him to own up to his actions and marry me?It was him or fortune hunters. She refused to consider Blankenship as an option.
With a sigh,Godric climbed out of bed to get dressed. Emily danced back, well out of his immediate reach, her face a cherry red as she pretended to look away from his naked body. It was charming, her innocent belief that if she stayed out of his way she would be safe. If he truly wanted to, he could haul her to the bed and take her. But there was little fun in that. The journey of the seduction was half of the pleasure in bedding a woman.
She stopped fidgeting and met his eyes with a strong glare.
“Why ruin me? There are many other young heiresses with more money. Do you plan to marry me?” She raised a golden-brown brow at him, a silent challenge that he found amusing. Emily was a forward and brash little creature, he would give her credit for that.
“Revenge is my only interest in you. Is that a simpleenough answer? Your uncle is to blame.” Godric crossed the room to wash his face.
“My uncle?” Emily’s brows drew together and her lips parted as though deep in thought over the revelation of being leverage.
Godric bent, washed his face in the basin at the bedside table and then toweled himself dry. Then he pulled on a robe.
“Your uncle acquired a great sum of money from me, and I have it on good authority he’s paid off his other creditors with it rather than invest it. My money is gone.”
“That still doesn’t explain whyI’mhere.” She bit her lower lip, an expression of keen intelligence in her eyes. It had been ages since he’d really looked at a woman’s face and found intelligence attractive. Emily was certainly both.
“What is your intention towards me?” Despair laced her tone in such a way that she drew Godric’s attention.
Emily sat down on the edge of his bed, her eyes wide in disbelief. Abandoning his quest for proper clothes, Godric crossed the room, caught her chin in his hand and tilted her head back so she was forced to look up at him.
“I must keep you here a while until I see your uncle thoroughly destroyed, then perhaps I’ll return you to London. While you’re here, you’re welcome to share my bed.” He tapped her nose with a fingertip, attempting to tease her, but his words only drew a deeper frown from her. He knelt in front of her. “No harm will come to you, Miss Parr. You have my word as a gentleman.”
“Gentleman?” she scoffed. “Some gentleman you are. Dragging women from carriages, drugging them. You have not one ounce of honor. I don’t even see what this has to do with my uncle. Men like you ruin women like me and never look back. I dare you to deny it.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of denying it. I do however insist you understand I only ruin women for a purpose, not for sport.” He leaned one hip against the dresser, watching her intently. “I’m sure you know how easy it would be for your uncle to sell you to a man in marriage to settle his debts. Well, no one will take you if I’ve been there first.”
Emily’s eyes darkened. “So you hurt me to strike out at my uncle?” Her voice rose in pitch but it wasn’t shrill. “Have you not considered me? I am an innocent party in this. My uncle will demand you marry me, and then we’ll be stuck together.”
Godric gave a bark of laughter. “Ash said you were clever. I hadn’t realized you had a sense of humor as well.”
“Humor? I see nothing amusing in this at all. I had aspirations for marriage, yes, but it didn’t include marrying someone like you.” Emily crossed her arms over her chest.
“Miss Parr, I’m not sure if you know exactly who I am.”
Godric saw a flash of pain in her eyes. “I know who you are. The Duke of Essex. A veritable devil, or so the ladies say. You bring ruination upon a woman with one look.”
“Just a look? I thought I had to at least say a lady’s name…” he chuckled, but she did not laugh.
A splash of pink blossomed on her cheeks. Her lips parted further, and her bosom began to rise and fall with her quickened breaths. It reminded him of a startled sparrow that had flown into his study once. He had to help it escape out the window before it hurt itself by striking something in its terror.
“Let me be clear, Miss Parr. I have never let society and its rules dictate my life. Your uncle could attempt to wage a social war against me in order to leg shackle me to you, but we shall never set foot inside a church together. Do you understand? Now don’t look so put out, my dear. I am a generous lover. If I find that you and I suit, I shall take you as my mistress. I’m not inclined to permanent relationships, but I would keep you well cared for the rest of your life. It wouldn’t be so horrible to be the lover of a duke.”
Her violet eyes reflected a place far away, but were still resigned, a quality echoed in her voice. “Are all men as heartless as you? Don’t you understand what you’ve taken from me? Ineedto marry. My parents are dead. I had but one chance at happiness and peace, and you destroyed it the moment you took control of my coach.” Her eyes misted over with tears, and a second later, she keened, a quiet, small sound, before her body quaked in repressed, silent sobs.
Godric blinked in horror. Everything in his body clenched. It wasn’t the first time he had made a woman cry, but these tears weren’t from an angry mistress, but a young lady, a veritable innocent.
Without a second thought, he pulled her into his arms. A fierce need to protect her rose up in him, and he couldn’t seem to rid himself of it. Her body trembled against his, her hands exploring his bare chest, arms, and hands. A faint tug followed on his right wrist; he jerked back, amazed to see her clutching the leather band of keys. He extracted the keys from her fingers, prying them open one by one.
Godric burst into laughter at her furious glare. “Miss Parr, you have remarkably nimble hands. Oh, the things I could teach you…” He started to embrace her again, but she ducked.
Emily sidled back a few steps, eyes wary. Gone was the woman who’d been crying in his arms. Quite a believable ruse.Clever girl.
