He glared at her. “Did you not hear anything while I talked to the owner of the inn?”
“No.”
“He said our room would not be ready for another hour.”
She groaned and covered her face with her hands. “I will probably fall asleep way before then. Wake me when they are ready.”
He leaned across and grasped her arm. Pain shot up from her wrist and she cried out.
“You are not going to fall asleep. We are supposed to appear like a couple in love, and you are going to act like the proper fiancée.”
She glared back. “If you wanted a responsive woman, you should have kidnapped someone else.”
“Lower your voice,” he snapped, tightening his grip.
“You are hurting me.”
“Act accordingly, and I won’t have to.”
When he released her, she rubbed the bruise forming on her arm. Across the room, she noticed a movement. The man in the corner had straightened in his chair. His eyes stayed on her, but appeared more alert. A strange sensation swept over her. Hisfeatures looked hard, his eyes narrowed and lips thinned as he gazed her way. Her heart beat wildly. She hoped she wouldn’t have to fight off two men tonight.
She glanced back at Alex. He drummed his fingers on the table as he lustfully eyed one of the barmaids who walked past.
Judith groaned. “Alex, can you answer some questions for me now?”
His head swung back toward her and he smiled. “Anything, my dear.”
“Why did you lie to me?”
“Pardon?”
“While we were secretly courting, you told me you were in the Royal Navy. That was a lie, was it not?”
He shrugged. “I suppose it was a little white lie.”
“Little?” She arched a brow. “I would not call your lie little. Did you know the navy can press charges against you for wrongly impersonating an officer?”
He flipped his hand through the air. “That’s rubbish.”
“And what about your other crimes?”
“I don’t have any others.”
She shook her head. “You think you are invincible? How pathetic.”
Once again, he reached across the table and gripped her wrist. This time she didn’t cry out, but the pain still shot up her arm.
“What other crimes are you referring to?” His voice deepened with a warning.
“Alex, when you steal from people, you are going to get punished.”
“I have not stolen anything.”
“Indeed? Then what about the three widows you had a torrid affair with this last year?”
He released her hand and pulled away, his eyes widened. “How do you know about them?”
“Lord Trey had his solicitor investigate you. Apparently, you stole money from these women. They, too, are going to press charges.”
