“Dash it all! Do sit down,” she urged. “You’ve impeccable manners, to be sure, but all this sitting and standing is making me dizzy.”
He chuckled softly as he settled down once more into the armchair.
She called for a tray of refreshments and waited in awkward silence for Hilda to return. Just as she opened her mouth to speak and break the tension, Hilda came in bearing tea and tarts. Jillian snapped her mouth closed, gritting her teeth in consternation.
She poured for Justin and herself and then peered intently at him from over the rim of her cup. “Why are you here?” she finally blurted.
“Is it possible that I’ve managed to fluster the unflappable Lady Penroth?”
She shifted impatiently in her seat. Surely he was the most infuriating man!
He leaned back in his chair and gazed thoughtfully at her. “I can’t figure you out, Jillian.”
“Never say you came over here just to tell me that.”
He continued on, ignoring her outburst. “I get the distinct impression that you are hiding something.”
She gaped at him in shock. “What on earth would I be hiding? I’ve certainly gone to great lengths not to conceal anything!”
“That’s just it,” he mused. “I think you have gone to great lengthstohide something.” He stared directly at her, but she refused to look away. “I can’t put my finger on it, but there is more to this whole charade than meets the eye. Of that I am certain.”
“Why should it matter to you if there was?” she asked quietly.
He didn’t respond. Then in an abrupt change of topic he asked, “Have you received any more threatening letters?”
She nearly screamed in frustration. “No. Now perhaps we can get back to what it is you think I am hiding?”
“I’m afraid I must take my leave. I really hadn’t planned to come by.”
“Then whydidyou come?”
He rose and walked over to where she was seated, took up her hand and offered a bow, brushing his lips softly across the back of her fingers. “Good day to you, Lady Penroth. I will show myself out.”
As he left the room, Jillian stood up, stomping her foot, and she let out an exasperated growl. Why had he come? Never in a thousand years had she expected to find him on her doorstep. And what did he mean she was hiding something?
###
She was still contemplating the oddity of the duke’s visit the next afternoon, as she strolled down Bond Street. Mr. Littleton had sent word that he had received a book he thought she would be interested in, and she was eager to fetch it.
Something to hide, indeed! The arrogant, insufferable lout.
“Lady Penroth, how nice to see you.”
She froze and raised her head to see Lord Wisecoff leering openly at her. Bile rose in her throat and her stomach churned. Sweat broke out on her forehead and her hands became clammy. Her knees threatened to buckle beneath her.
He seemed amused by her reaction, and he stood watching her, an oily smile on his face. She lashed out with her hand and made contact with his cheek, snapping his head back with the force of her blow. His look of shock was quickly replaced with a spark of rage, and he grabbed her hand. She let out a cry of pain as he squeezed.
“Wisecoff, what goes on here?” a steely voice demanded.
A flood of relief rushed over her as Justin stepped between them and released her hand from Lord Wisecoff’s grasp.
“The bitch slapped me! And all I did was greet her.”
His face was twisted into an ugly scowl, his eyes glittering menacingly. Jillian turned and fled back down the street to her carriage, unable to control the swell of panic in her throat any longer.
“Do not ever let me see you near Lady Penroth again,” Justin growled, fixing Wisecoff with a stare.
“Defending your brother’s lightskirt?” he asked in a taunting voice. “Or is she yours, now?”
