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“Thank you, your grace!”
“I’ll tell Lady Juliet’s family as well. They’ll know if Lord Templemore might present a threat. The Knightons are still here, are they not?”
“Yes. Shall I fetch them?”
“No, don’t trouble yourself. Go on about your duties.” He handed the servant a couple of sovereigns. “This is for your silence. You may leave the entire matter to me.”
After the footman gushed his thanks again and hurried off, Montfort stood there chuckling. So Templemore had been Juliet’s despoiler two years ago? How very intriguing. It explained so much—why the stodgy baron insisted upon courting her, and why she’d seemed reluctant to go off with him in his carriage.
He could use this to his advantage. Knighton couldn’t possibly know about Templemore’s part in the elopement or he wouldn’t be allowing the man even to consort with Juliet. And if Knighton did happen to learn of it, he was just the hotheaded sort to take drastic action—like calling Templemore out.
That could be quite useful. No matter the outcome, it would leave Juliet free. If Templemore killed Knighton, Juliet would never forgive the man. Besides, Templemore would be forced to flee the country or stand trial.
And if Knighton killed Templemore, then the only person who stood between Montfort and Juliet would be eliminated. How very tidy.
Well, that left only one thing to do, didn’t it? He must find Knighton and reveal that the man’s precious sister-in-law had just gone off in a carriage alone with the scoundrel who’d carried her off two years ago.
This was proving a very entertaining evening. By morning, he intended to be the only man left standing who could marry Juliet.
Juliet watched warily as Sebastian settled into the carriage seat across from her.
“So what’s it to be?” he demanded. “Gretna Green or Knighton House?”
“Knighton House, of course.”
Thrusting his head out the window, he called the command up to the driver, then came back into the carriage. It was black and gloomy inside, yet the moonlight shone enough so she could see his eyes assessing her.
“You do understand that you’ve just agreed to marry me, don’t you?” he asked.
“If you understand that you’ve just agreed to tell my family everything at last. You did say you’d do anything.”
“Yes, I did.”
Joy blossomed in her heart. “You really mean it?”
He scowled at her. “Don’t I look as if I mean it?”
“Actually, you look rather peeved.”
“Well, what do you expect? I nearly challenged a man to a duel over you. And I don’t even believe in duels. They’re pointless violence that proves nothing.”
“I see.” She was trying hard not to smile, but he was making it very difficult.
“Is that all you have to say? ‘I see’?”
“To be honest, I’m still trying to take it all in. I’ve never won with you before, and I certainly didn’t expect you to give in so quickly.”
He looked exasperated. “You didn’t expect—By thunder, Juliet, you’ve spent nearly a week driving me insane, prancing about in fetching gowns and flirting with idiots like Havering, and sticking your dainty foot—your foot, for God’s sake!—where it doesn’t belong, and now you’re surprised I capitulated?”
She couldn’t stifle her laugh. “You put your foot where it didn’t belong first, you know.”
“Yes, and gave you ideas,” he grumbled. “Which you used to torture me. And try to embarrass me before an entire card room full of people.”
“Is that what I was trying to do?” she asked in mock innocence.
Taking her by surprise, he reached across the carriage and hauled her onto his lap. “You know it was. But you’ll pay for it, you naughty girl.”
“Now, Sebastian…mmfph—”
