“I’m certain,” Christian drawled.
Shrewdly assessing the situation at hand, St. John said, “Amos is telling the truth. Dear, lovely Jessamine has agreed to become my bride.”
When Christian looked disbelieving still, he announced, “We shall be departing two weeks hence for The Colonies and shall wed there. Unfortunately circumstances do not permit me a lengthier stay this voyage.” Casting Christian a very meaningful glance, he explained, “Much has gone awry in Charlestown, sir, much indeed—if you know what I mean—and I know you do.”
Turning to Amos, Christian ignored St. John’s carefully worded accusation. “I don’t believe it. She would have told me she was spoken for.”
“Now, Haukinge,” St. John interjected, his voice a sneer. He came forward to stand beside Amos. “Why should Westmoor lie to you? Why would I? I’m quite aware that you frequent”—the word was another insinuation—“Charlestown’s harbor. Wouldn’t it be a rather simple matter for you to investigate my personal affairs if you were so inclined?”
Christian’s gut twisted.
He had the lowering feeling St. John was telling him the truth. But why would Jessie have lied to him? Why would she have whispered of love when she knew full well she belonged to another man? Why had she so eagerly encouraged his suit? From what he knew of her, it didn’t make sense. Then again, when had anything between them ever made a lick of sense? He managed a slow nod. “I take it that Jessie knows?”
Amos smiled victoriously. “Well, of course she knows, Haukinge. How could she not know?”
Once again, the door creaked open and Jessie herself peered warily into the library.
“I knocked,” she told them apologetically, glancing first at St. John, then at Amos. “Jessie knows what?” she asked quickly, and then suddenly she turned and gasped in shock as she spied Christian. “I did not realize you were here, my lord!”
Christian merely stared, holding her gaze, not trusting himself to speak.
“Is something wrong?”
A shiver swept down Jessie’s spine as she scrutinized the occupants of the room. Christian’s expression told her, indubitably, that something was indeed very wrong. The look in his eyes and his rigid stance told her all she needed to know; he was raging mad.
Botheration!
She had no idea what Amos could have said to anger him so, but he looked positively feral, ready to pounce. She swept the room with her gaze and inquired once more, “What is it that Jessie knows?” When there was still no reply to her question, she demanded, “Will someone please speak!”
“The fact that you are to wed Lord St. John, of course.”
Jessie whirled on her brother. “But you said?—”
“I remember well what I said,” he returned quickly, flicking Christian a glance. “But the charade must now come to an end, I fear. I never imagined Lord St. John would come to collect you so soon.”
Jessie’s stomach twisted. “Charade?” She swallowed convulsively. “What charade, Amos?”
“Quite simple, sister dear. Haukinge came to court you only because I paid him to, and now I believe he’s come to collect his due.”
Her heart lurched. Jessie turned to Christian; their gazes collided like fire and steel. “He paid you?” He didn’t reply and she knew. “My God!” Her fingers flew to her lips. “He paid you!”
Eyeing her coldly, Christian answered her question with one of his own. “Have you agreed to wed this man or not?”
Their gazes remained locked for a long, painful instant, and then Christian shook his head when Jessie couldn’t speak to deny it. Raking a hand through his hair, he hung his head backward, closing his eyes, and froze in that position when he heard Amos’ next words.
“I’m sorry, Mister Haukinge, but you really cannot have expected Jessamine would wed a bastard. Even if she would, it would be heinous of me to allow such amesalliance.”
Christian’s head snapped upright, his eyes glittering coldly. He fixed his glare upon Jessie, though his question was directed at Amos. “What did you say?”
If he’d needed proof against her, he certainly had it now.
St. John’s eyes bulged with the declaration. His gaze sought Christian’s to verify the scandalous disclosure.
“I said,” Amos repeated, “that it would be heinous of me to allow?—”
“Son of a—” Christian willed his temper to calm. “Did she tell you that?” He turned to Jessie, demanding, “Did you?”
Jessie opened her mouth to deny it, but she was still reeling from Amos’ revelation. Nay, she’d not told him! But how dare he be angry with her when it was he who had committed the dishonor here!
