Jane pressed her lips together, but stood her ground. She could not allow Lord Keery to shoulder all of the blame for their predicament—not when she’d been a willing accomplice.
Henry removed his glove and slapped it across Lord Keery’s cheek. “I challenge you to a duel.”
Lord Keery stepped back to lean casually against the dressing table. “There is no need for that, Shillington, for I intend to do right by your sister.”
Jane’s stomach lurched as she took in his words. Doing right by her could only mean one thing. Lord Keery wanted to marry her. An hour ago she would have been thrilled, but now the prospect terrified her. She fought through the fog and pinned Keery with her gaze. “I would not marry this scoundrel were he the last man on earth.”
Her brother jumped in, his gaze as condemning as her own. “You forfeited any say in the matter, dear sister, the moment he entered your chamber.”
Keery shook out his wrinkled breeches. “I will procure a special license right away.” He pulled them on, tucked in his linen shirt, and secured them. “Just as soon as I find the remainder of my clothing.”
Jane fisted her hands, wanting to scream. How could he be so casual? His nonchalance further enraged her. He no more wanted to wed her than she wanted a rogue with the manners of a wild boar for a husband. Fuming and flustered, she went about the room collecting his garments before pushing them against his chest. “Do not bother. I refuse to marry you, regardless of what my brother demands.” Even as the words left her mouth, she knew they were untrue. She could not refuse his offer when doing so would bring shame upon her entire family.
Henry took hold of her arm and gave a gentle shake. “That is quite enough, Jane. You will marry Keery. Not another word from you unless it is ‘I do’.”
Lord Keery, clothing in hand, moved toward the door. Before he took his leave, he turned back and flashed her a rakish grin. “It seems you do not have a choice in the matter, my future bride.”
Jane was perplexed and enraged by his contradictory behavior. Why offer her marriage to save her reputation one moment only to ruin her good name the next moment by leaving her room in so shocking a state of undress? “Surely you do not intend to go out there like that.”
His mouth hitched up into a devilish grin. “Whyever not, when you are already compromised?”
And, at that, he took his leave.
CHAPTER 2
Caleb, the sixth Marquess of Keery, ignored the prying eyes of the Countess of Bailey as he marched down the hallway toward his guest chamber, his jacket and cravat swinging in his hand. How the bloody hell had he allowed himself to be caught in the parson’s noose? And, to add insult to injury, he had been entrapped not by a beguiling coquette, but by a wilting violet the likes of Lady Jane Shillington. How the mousiest of wallflowers had won the game so many bolder ladies had lost was beyond his comprehension.
Rakehells like himself did not allow such things to happen—not unless they wanted them to, which he most certainly did not. He had reasons—good ones—for remaining a bachelor. Did she know nothing of his scandalous harlot of a mother? Or sweet little Maggie’s fate? What a bloody fool Lady Jane was for placing herself under his protection. Then again, she might not know of Maggie’s downfall, for which he still blamed himself. The mere thought of that long-ago folly made his chest so tight he could scarcely draw breath.
And speaking of follies, what had possessed him to offer Lady Jane marriage?
Well, no matter, what was done was done. Now, he could only endeavor to make the best of a bad situation by keeping a safe margin of distance between them. That way, he could both protect her and guard his heart against a recurrence of the pain his mother inflicted. Besides which, a marriage of convenience should serve him well in this case, for he could never fall in love with such a meek and plain creature.
He balled his cravat in his fist as he turned down the corridor leading to his guest chamber. He would do what duty demanded. Change, shave, secure a license, and wed Lady Jane by morning. As much as it pained him to admit it, there remained no other choice for either of them.
“Keery,” His long time friend, Lord Luvington approached and clapped him on the back. “I have been looking for you.”
Caleb shot him an annoyed glance. “I haven’t the time to entertain you at present.”
Luvington studied him for a moment with a teasing gleam in his eye. “Why so surly this morning, friend? Did your lady bird fail to satisfy last night?”
“Stuff it, Luvington.” Caleb narrowed his gaze.
“Come now, it cannot be as bad as all that.”
“You have no idea.” Caleb stepped faster, eager for the safety of his room.
Luvington, to Caleb’s consternation, kept pace “True, though I am most curious. Is a lady to blame?”
Caleb entered his room with Luvington on his heels. After closing the door, he pivoted to face his friend. “There is always a lady to blame, at least in part. I woke in Lady Jane’s bed this morning…unclothed.”
“How the bloody hell…?”
“I fear it gets much worse.” Caleb raked his fingers through his hair and licked his lips. “Her brother and his wife caught us. When they burst into her chamber, I was half dressed. Shillington challenged me to a duel to avenge her honor, which I answered with an offer of marriage.”
“Perhaps you will discover that marriage suits you.” Luvington poured two glasses of scotch and handed one to Caleb. “Here, it will soften your rough edges.”
