The earl’s eyes widened in surprise, then his face flushed a dull red. “Hear now, do you have any idea who I am?”
She studied him coolly, her eyes narrowing at his challenge. “I would have thought you a gentleman based upon your appearance, but then no true gentleman would rage at another as you have done. Your opinions appear to be based on that which you have no knowledge.”
A supreme sense of satisfaction tightened Ridge’s chest as he watched his father’s face contort with fury over the insult he’d been handed. That India had defended him gave him more pleasure than he would have imagined. It felt damned good.
“And who are you to question your betters?” his father demanded.
She arched an eyebrow and stood with her hands clenched at her side. “Betters? My good sir, if you are my better then I am in a sorry state indeed.”
“And who are you?”
She surveyed him calmly. “My name is India Ashton.”
Surprise lit the earl’s face then recognition dawned and his lip curled contemptuously. “So you are the chit responsible for both my sons jaunting off on some wild fool’s chase.”
Her brow creased in confusion. Then she looked at Ridge, her gray eyes apologetic. “He’s your father?”
Ridge nodded slowly, but he reached out to take her hand. He squeezed it and shook his head slightly hoping she would get the message that there was nothing to forgive.
She turned troubled eyes back on the earl. “How can you speak to your son in such a despicable fashion? Have you no consideration for what others want?”
His father’s mouth gaped open then it snapped shut. He glared openly at her and his hands shook at his side. “I’ll thank you to mind your own business, Miss Ashton. Not everyone indulges in your heathen ways. I rue the day my son ever met you.”
She chuckled softly. “If you think to insult me, my lord, you will have to dig deeper than that I’m afraid. I’ve been ridiculed by far more important people than yourself. I assure you, your opinion of me is as inconsequential as your preference of drink.”
Ridge felt her fingers shake ever so slightly in his hand, and he knew she wasn’t as unaffected as she let on. Damn his father. This had gone on long enough.
“I won’t allow you to insult Miss Ashton further in my home,” he said firmly, staring challengingly at his father. “I think you’ve said quite enough. Perhaps you should take your leave now.”
The earl stared at him in shock. “You’re going to allow this...thiswomanto ruin yours and Robert’s lives?”
“Indeed not,” India interjected, a small smile playing at her lips. “I assure you, they will quite enjoy being part of my harem.”
The earl turned and stomped from the drawing room and seconds later they heard the front door slam heavily. Ridge could contain his laughter no longer.
He wiped at his eyes and turned back to India. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my father so speechless before.”
India scowled. “It was reprehensible the way he spoke to you. I’m sorry to have interrupted, but I could stand for it no longer.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” he said softly. He looked down at their joined hands and slowly let hers go. “You did something I should have done long ago.”
“Make him suffer a fit of apoplexy?” she asked innocently.
He laughed again. “That too.”
She reached into the pocket of her skirts and drew out a folded piece of paper. “I thought you would be interested in this,” she said holding it out to him.
He took it but didn’t open it directly. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
“For what?”
“It’s nice to have someone on my side,” he said, aware of the surge of satisfaction he felt at the idea of her standing up for him.
“We adventurers must stick together,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
Damn he wanted nothing more than to kiss her again. Longer this time. Savoring the feel and taste of her. Her lips called to him, tempted him with their soft fullness. A man could lose himself in those lips. A woman’s lushness. Not a silly girl, but a woman full grown with more life experience than most men twice her age.
“Well? Aren’t you going to read it?”
