“Ibeg your pardon.”Julia mustn’t have heard the earl correctly. “Did you just say youforbidme?”
“Indeed. It would be too tempting for your affliction. Very little supervision. People dripping in extravagant holiday jewels, too many libations causing exceeding merriment and very little caution. In short, a disaster. You would never make it back to London except in chains for a trial.”
Rendered almost speechless, she finally spluttered, “You are in no position to lecture or attempt to control me, sir.”
He shrugged. “Perhaps not. I am curious, Julia,” he said, his use of her name making shivers run up and down her spine, and not from the chilly December evening. “How badly do you want your ring back?”
She gasped. “Why?”
“Because I have it, and I’ll tell you the entire sordid story of where it went and how it came to be in my possession.”
“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” she asked, hardly able to believe his words.
Withdrawing his flask of brandy from his pocket, he offered it to her. Only because of the chill, she accepted and took a drink before handing it back, watching him take a healthy swallow.
“The right time didn’t come up,” Jasper said at last, and she had a feeling he’d been waiting to tell her when he could make the most use of it. “Will you come back with me to my home?” he asked. “Your sister probably thinks you’re still in Mrs. Zebodar’s company.”
Julia’s pulse quickened, imagining how easily she could give in and what would await her if she did. Even then, he stroked the side of her face, and it was as if he were stroking her elsewhere. In truth, she wanted to go with him and let him touch her body, and this time, enter her. Already feeling damp between her legs, it would take almost more fortitude than she had to deny them both.
“Do you mean to say, sir, I must go to your bed in order to receive my ring?”
She watched the play of expressions cross his face. Awareness, perhaps shame, then determination as his visage slipped into the well-known mask of a devilish libertine.
“It wouldn’t be the worst bargain ever made. For either of us.”
Sarah would want her to put him in his place.
“It would make me feel used,” Julia said, still watching carefully to see if it caused him the tiniest pang.
Apparently, it did.
He grimaced, then he swore in a most ungentlemanly way.
“Very well. We shan’tenjoyourselves if you’re going to couch a delightful encounter in such terms. I don’tusewomen. I relish them and offer them pleasure.”
She hated how it sounded as if he were ready to be of service to the entire female sex in Britain and probably beyond, too.
“Why don’t you tell me exactly what I need to do to recover my ring?” The tenor of her voice sharpened. Jasper knew how important her mother’s ring was to her, and he was playing games.
“Will you stay away from that Twelvetide party at Lady Macroun’s country manor?” he asked.
Julia was caught off guard by the sudden change of topic. Then she realized his intent.
“Yes,” she declared at once.
He grinned. “Liar! Maybe I should send word to Lady Macroun that you are not to be allowed under the roof of Forde Hall, no matter how you beg.”
“You wouldn’t!” she exclaimed, thinking of the humiliation were he to get involved, not only for her sake but for Sarah’s.
“Stay in London,” he said, “where I can see you and keep an eye on you.”
“For how long?” Julia asked.
“Meaning?” he asked, tipping back his flask again.
“How long before I get my ring back?” She was seething now at his high-handed maneuvering, making her warmer than any brandy ever could.
“If you do as I say, it will be your Christmas gift from me.”
