Page 460 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Jo’s heart began to beat faster. Dare she say a word about knowing what was going on between him and her mother? If she threatened to expose them, would he fear losing her mother as a lover?

“Men are allowed indiscretions,” he said as if reading her mind. “Women are not. I will survive quite well. You, however...”

“You will do yourself no good if you bleed me dry and expose us. What reason will I have to pay you anything if I believe you will do that?”

“I agree, it’s a delicate situation,” he said. “But don’t get too high and mighty. I have financial obligations and I will not be put off.”

“Financial obligations?” she repeated. “Like losing money to Lord Grayson?”

A nasty glint appeared in his eyes. “Sticking your nose in business that does not concern you is dangerous. But speaking of your future husband, it is time you cease trying to wiggle out of the marriage—and that includes dallying with men like Lord Beaumond.”

Josephine drew a sharp breath.

He nodded. “That’s right. I know about the marquess. No more of such shenanigans, at least not until after you have given Grayson an heir.”

“How dare you?” she shot back. “Not everyone eschews fidelity as do you.”

Lord Wylst laughed. “Most, in fact, are exactly like me.” He narrowed his eyes. “But that aside, you will behave and marry Nicholas.”

“My marriage is none of your concern.”

“Oh, but it is my concern.”

“I will not marry Nicholas just so that you can bleed him dry,” she said.

“Do not worry about Grayson.”

Josephine shook inside. “If you are here to demand more money, I did not bring any with me.”

“That is a pretty necklace you’re wearing.” He nodded to the pearls she wore.

Her hand flew to her throat. “These were a gift from my father.”

He gave a condescending laugh and extended his hand. “Give them to me.”

She took a step back. “No.”

His hand dropped back to his side. “Then you leave me no choice. I must speak with Montagu. He is here at the party, is he not?”

“Will you also tell him who procured your invitation to Lady Allaway’s party?”

Malice gleamed in his eyes. “Do you think it would interest him?”

A fresh wave of fear brought a chill, but she forced a calm voice, “Aye, he will be mightily interested.”

“Shall we tell him together, then?”

He took a step closer and she flinched.

He laughed.

The murmur of distant voices cut off his laughter. “Be quick about it,” he said.

Josephine glanced in the direction the voices had come.

“Girl,” he growled. She hesitated and he grasped her arms and spun her around. She twisted in an effort to break free, but his fingers tightened on her flesh as he hissed in her ear, “Do you want them to hear and ask you what is wrong?”

She froze when he grasped the clasp, his fingers brushing the hairs that stood on end at the back of her neck. With painful clarity, memory rose of her squeal of delight when her father produced the jewelry box on her sixteenth birthday. The pearls were the first jewelry she had been given and was the only jewelry her father had ever given her. He had clasped them about her neck, then turned her to face him and called her his grownup girl.