Was that a trace of a smirk on his lips? Why, the gall of the man! Juliana’s cheeks heated with anger, and her gaze wandered to the fireplace poker.
It was one way to knock that infuriating smile from his lips.
She clenched her hands together in her lap to keep herself from snatching up the poker. “A marriage between us would solve a great many problems. You must see that, Mr. Blair.”
He raised one black eyebrow. “And cause a great many more. Or do you think we’d enjoy a lifetime of wedded bliss?”
Wedded bliss? Juliana nearly laughed aloud at the thought. “Oh, I’ve quite given up on any hope of wedded bliss.”
He regarded her with cool blue eyes. “But I haven’t, Lady Juliana.”
“Perhaps not, but you forfeited it when you stole those letters. Don’t forget, sir, you’re the reason we find ourselves in this unfortunate situation.”
“It will be more unfortunate still if we marry.”
Juliana had sworn to herself she’d keep her temper in check, but she recognized the sharp words burning her tongue for what they were—the first sign of rising fury. “If I can lower myself to marry a man who stole from me before he’d ever laid eyes on me, then surely you can reconcile yourself to a marriage of convenience.”
Logan Blair’s arm dropped from the mantel, and he took a step toward her, still wearing that amused smile. “Would you rather I’d stolen from youafterI laid eyes on you?”
Juliana stared at him, too angry to trust herself to reply.She’d never before been tempted to strike another person, but right now she’d give anything to forget she was a lady and deliver a stinging slap to that handsome cheek.
Did he find this whole thing amusing? Perhaps this was all just a game tohim, but she didn’t have the luxury of gambling with Grace’s future.
Mr. Blair wasn’t finished. “I don’t think it would have made much difference if I had laid eyes on you beforehand. You’ve got a sharp tongue, lass—a much sharper tongue than most English belles. That must be why you’ve had such difficulty bringing your betrotheds up to scratch.”
Oh, that was the outside of enough. Juliana’s palm began to tingle. The next thing she knew she was on her feet with her hand raised, her furious gaze fixed on those mocking lips.
Before she could slap the smirk off him, Fitz grasped her hand and tugged her over to a sofa a good distance away from his brother. “For God’s sake, Logan! Have you lost your mind? Leave off, will you? This situation is bad enough without you making it worse with your insults.”
Juliana allowed herself to be seated on the sofa, but her hands were shaking with fury, and she was ready to tear her hair out with frustration.
Her hair, or Logan Blair’s.
She darted a glance at him from under her eyelashes. His jaw was tight and his shoulders rigid. Logan Blair might affect a cool unconcern, but he was just as agitated as she was.
For her part, Juliana couldn’t recall ever being so livid in her life, but there was no point in trying to calmly reason with Mr. Blair. Both of them were already as furious as two hissing cats, and she could see this wasn’t going to end until one of them sank a claw deep into the flesh of the other.
It was going to be a brawl to the bitter end, and she’d just as soon Fitzwilliam wasn’t here to witness it. He was already more distressed than she’d ever seen him, and this was about to get much worse. “Fitzwilliam, I want you to leave me alone with Mr. Blair.”
Fitz crossed his arms over his chest. “No. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It’s all right. I’m perfectly capable of speaking with your brother in private.”
“Go on, Fitz. I give you my word I won’t toss Lady Juliana into Beauly Firth, no matter how much she tempts me.” Mr. Blair was talking to Fitzwilliam, but his hard gaze never left Juliana’s face.
“Is that supposed to be amusing, Logan?” Fitzwilliam looked from one to the other of them, assessing their faces with tight lips. After a moment he rose to his feet, but he paused at the door, his brow creased with concern. “Are you sure, Lina?”
In truth, Juliana had no wish to be alone with Logan Blair, especially after she’d goaded him into a temper, but she wanted the business done, and they’d never get anywhere with Fitzwilliam in the room.
“Yes, quite sure. There’s no need to worry.” Juliana scraped together what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Very well, then.” Fitz shot his brother a warning glance, then he left the library, leaving the door half-open behind him.
Silence fell over the room. Mr. Blair, who’d retreated to the sideboard and now stood with his back to her, seemed in no hurry to break it. Long minutes passed without either of them saying a word.
Juliana didn’t fool herself into thinking a truce was forthcoming. They were each simply gathering their weapons and strength for the battle ahead.
It was a battle Juliana intended to win, and she knew just what she had to do.
