She couldn’t speak. He’d voiced every one of her fears. They’d seemed so reasonable before. Now they felt ridiculous. “I’m so sorry.”
“As am I, Harriet.” He gave her his back. “You made me question the man I believed myself to be. More than that, you caused me to think I’d be risking my life in order to be with the person you pretended to be. The emotional crisis that’s tormented me this past week is incomparable. Do you have any idea how many times I wished for you to be a woman?”
“Wait.” She couldn’t believe what he was saying. It made her feel like the world was once again tilting. “Are you saying you don’t have a preference for men?”
He clenched his jaw while glaring at her. “Exactly so. You are the first. Until we met, I’d only been attracted to women.”
Harriet’s blood froze in her veins. No wonder he was so furious with her. Good lord. He’d been ready to make an exception for Harry.
“Not that it matters,” Brody said. His anger seemed to subside a little, giving way to what looked like regret. “You clearly don’t trust me and I sure as hell don’t trust you. Without that, what chance do we actually have?”
None.
It felt like her heart had been cleaved in two. What a fool she’d been. This entire debacle was of her own making. She’d caused the pain they both felt in this moment. She and she alone. There was no one else to blame.
Inhaling sharply, she took a step back, retreating on shaky legs. She’d said what she’d come to say and it made little difference. Their relationship was still ruined. He wouldn’t forgive her.
Swallowing hard, she reached for the door, blindly fumbling for the handle while making up her mind to leave in the morning. Unfortunately, Lucy would have to suffer the consequence of her actions as well. She sniffed on that thought as regret tore her to bits.
Her hand connected with the doorknob. She stumbled a step and then squeaked when the door was pushed open, straight into her spine.
“What on… Dear me, I’m terribly sorry. Didn’t think anyone would be standing right there.” The words came from a gentleman who appeared to be more or less her own age. He grabbed her elbow, steadying her.
Brody sighed. “You’re punctual for a change.”
The other man shrugged. “I figured the situation might warrant a bit more gravitas than usual.”
“Since you’re here, I suppose introductions are in order,” Brody murmured. He frowned at Harriet, his scrutinous gaze making her very aware of her state of undress. “Finley, allow me to present Miss Harriet Michaels. Harriet, this is my brother, the Marquess of Losturn.”
“A pleasure,” Harriet said, crossing her arms, then uncrossing them again.
“Likewise.” Losturn smirked. An uncomfortable degree of interest lit up his eyes. He glanced at his brother. “I wasn’t aware you’d acquired a new mistress.”
“I haven’t.” Brody clipped the words.
“Just a one-night tumble then?” Losturn gave a thoughtful nod. “Makes sense, considering the finances and all that.”
“Finn…” Brody warned, his voice hard.
“You’ve clearly acquired a taste for something different, Brother.” Losturn grinned. “Are the men’s clothes and short hair a newly acquired fetish of yours?”
Harriet leapt back, barely managing to avoid getting trampled as Brody lunged for his brother. He grabbed him by the throat and shoved him against the wall.
18
Apainting clattered to the floor. Finn wheezed. His hands gripped Brody’s arms and hands in an effort to make him loosen his hold.
“Take it back,” Brody hissed. He pulled his brother away from the wall and slammed him against it once more. They’d not fought like this since they were children, scuffling about in the dirt. “You’ll not disrespect my guest.”
Finn pushed back, causing Brody to lose his balance. He tripped in an effort to regain his footing and fell to the floor, taking his brother down with him.
“Brody,” Finn gasped as he managed to get free and started to scramble away. “You’re mad.”
Brody caught him by the ankle and yanked him backward. His head connected with the floor.
“Augh!”
“You will apologize to me,” Brody snarled, forcing himself up and pinning Finn down. “And to Miss Michaels. This instant. Or so help me, you’ll not be attending that duel. I’ll bloody well kill you myself.”
