“Loren, my son, step back,” Ansley called.
Loren didn’t step back.
“Have you hurt her before?”he pushed.
“Loren,” Ansley persisted.
“Answer!” Loren thundered.
“Loren!Now!”Ansley commanded.
I held my breath.
Loren didn’t move.
Edgar kept choking.
Loren pushed off and stepped back.
After he did, instantly, he turned to me, and tenderlyordered, “Come here.”
I had no idea why (that’s a lie, I did, that tone in hislovely, rich voice was mesmerizing), but I went right there.
When I did, he took my hand, lifted it, tucked it againstthe side of his chest and led us several feet farther from Edgar.
“We shall call your valet, Derryman,” Ansley announced.“You’re leaving tonight.”
No!
I tensed.
I felt his regard as Loren looked down at me.
“Your daughter will remain,” Ansley finished.
Oh God.Oh shit.Oh no.
“I did.I d-did.I t-tumbled,” I lied (poorly).
“Countess,” Loren murmured.
I looked up at him, feeling my eyes were huge, anddesperately kept at it.“I did.I’m clumsy that way.”
Loren’s intelligent brown gaze roamed my face.
He then lifted it to his father.
“He goes, she stays,” he decreed.
Damn it, he knew I was lying.
“Lord Remington, may I speak to you?”I asked urgently.
“Good, Eaton, you’re here,” Ansley said, and I whipped myhead around to see him addressing a man who had a slightly more importantoutfit than the other servants.“Find the Count’s valet.He and his staff willbe leaving this eve.His daughter and her maid will remain.”
Eaton nodded smartly and left the room.
Ansley looked to Edgar and delivered the final blow.
