“Hell, when we are alone tonight, I willtouch and taste every part of you until your body hums.”
“A pulsing, throbbing desire pulsed from hercenter core. Damn him. He was just as adept at this game as shewas. “Nicholas, you must stop. Your father approaches.”
Duke Richard Rutland joined them whileAlexandra tamped down the flames Nicholas had wrought. Thegentleman accompanying his father was richly dressed in a greenembroidered frockcoat, satin vest and matching breeches, yet hisface, like a pumice stone, flaunted dissonance with his white wig.She was so glad Nicholas did not adopt the style of headdress andwore his dark hair, fashionably pulled back in a queue.
“Lady Sutherland, may I introduce you toLord Drummond. We serve together in Parliament,” said Nicholas’sfather.
Alexandra blinked. Was this the manresponsible for what had happened to the Rutland’s? What scheminghad Nicholas and his father devised? Was this the product of theirconspiring and what had required their attention all afternoon?
No. Nicholas and his father were trying tofigure out who the Rutland enemies were and wanted her opinion.
“Lord Nicholas, always a pleasure. How wasyour trip on the island? Your shipboard journey with thePortuguese? I understand you were to sail onto Brazil. How horribleyour fate would have been enslaved in the jungle,” said LordDrummond.
Nicholas placed his glass on a servant’spassing tray, and then narrowed his eyes on the English lord. “Youare well informed of my travels, Lord Drummond.”
Lord Drummond’s lip curled back. “It is mybusiness to know the goings on in London.”
Alexandra looked from Nicholas to DukeRichard to Lord Drummond. Hostility brewed and roiled as thick as asuffocating cloud.
“Your journey, Lady Sutherland,” LordDrummond addressed her, “must have an interesting twist as doesyour mysterious reappearance.”
Nicholas took a step into Lord Drummond.“She is Lady Alexandra Sutherland. There is no doubt.”
Her heart panged. Nicholas protected her. Hedid not leave room for suspicion about her heritage.
Lord Drummond put up his hands. “I bow toyour greater knowledge. No need for an altercation and I certainlydo not desire a calling out.” He turned to Alexandra. “Myapologies, if there is any offense,Lady Sutherland.”
“None whatsoever.” Alexandra placed her handon Nicholas’s arm, his muscles flexed beneath his coat. She angledher head to the gathering stares. “A spectacle would bemomentous.”
“You have profited well with the warfare inthe Colonies,” Duke Richard accused.
Alexandra raised an eyebrow to Nicholas’sfather’s baiting of Lord Drummond.
“Keeps me heavy in the pockets,” LordDrummond said.
Deep, rough-edged with deadly calm, LordRichard Rutland said, “You care nothing for your country, but wishonly to suck her inmost vitals, to feast on her entrails, andfinally glut your devouring maws on her lifeless corpse. Your kindare a scourge to England.”
When Drummond smiled, he reminded Alexandraof a vulgar caricature she had seen of a corpulent man, his lipsdrawn back, his broad teeth displayed like the white keys of apianoforte and gorging on a whole ox.
“It would be healthier for you, Lord Rutlandto oblige the current policies.”
“Is that a threat?” said Duke Richard. “Ihope not.”
A muscle ticked in Nicholas’s jaw. “You willsave yourself pain and trouble by admitting yourmistakes.”
“Mistakes? I never make the same mistaketwice.” Lord Drummond was cryptic.
Nicholas and Duke Richard’s provocation wasdeliberate. Alexandra widened her eyes. The Duke of Westbrookjoined them.
Nicholas curved his hands into fists. “Beaware, I’ll not be a fool nor will I allow lenience to stand in myway, to exercise what is proper revenge.”
“How dare you threaten me,” saidDrummond.
“Perhaps you would indulge me and make ascene…or…we can go outside.”
“Now see here.” And then a suddenrealization dawned on Lord Drummond as he interpreted the real boneof contention. His face grew mottled with rage. “How dare youaccuse me of misdeeds done to you and your family. I claim nothingabout it, nor will I continue this conversation.” He pivoted andleft.
“He is lying,” said Cornelius. “There shouldbe serious consequences for what he has done to your family.”
