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“Frederick interpreted my letter?” Livie sounded even more confused.

“He knows women.”

“So everyone says.” Her words had a sardonic edge, so presumably she had learned of Frederick’s reputation.

“He’ll quit drinking when he’s ready,” Joshua told her, meeting her eyes. “I’m not going to be an earl. My brother will stop drinking and marry—when he’s ready. Just so you know.”

“I don’t care.” Even in the dim light from the one open wardrobe door, he could see sincerity in her eyes.

“Of course, he may be gutted by an angry husband,” Joshua added. “The Duke of Trent, for one.”

“I know His Grace quite well. He growls, but his wife adores him and he knows it.”

“You know the duke and duchess,” Joshua said slowly. “Who are you, Livie?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Joshua’s question echoed in Livie’s head.

Who are you?

She was terrified to tell him the truth. “First, tell me what Frederick deciphered from my letter.”

“That your father plans to marry you to a repulsive fellow,” Joshua replied. Before she could reply, he added, “I’m sure that you wouldn’t marry me just to escape an unwanted suitor, Livie, but if your father is going to marry you off before the next Season, I did need to know. I can make it clear to your father that you wish to wait for me—or I can take out the man your father has in mind.”

His voice was rough and hard, which was incredibly … erotic.

A word that Livie had learned from that advice book for ladybirds she and Daisy read. “Erotic” referred to something that “arouses sexual desire.” Obviously, it wasn’t a word—or an action—that proper ladies were supposed to understand.

“The man in question is not a suitor,” she told him. “I suppose he thinks he’s a suitor, but he’s my father’s … my father’s associate.”

“He cannot have you,” Joshua stated. “You’re mine.”

Livie’s stomach clenched. Fear was sparking throughout her body. Joshua knew she was friendly with a duchess. He didn’t know that she was the daughter of an accused traitor … that his own father …

The truth was terrifying.

Every lineament of his face proclaimed his honest and true nature. Without asking, she knew he would be repulsed by the idea of treachery.

Swallowing hard, she buried her face against his shoulder. “I will understand if you don’t want me after learning the truth.” Her voice was muffled by the thick fabric of his dress uniform.

After a momentary silence, he said, “I don’t give a damn if you’re not a virgin, but if, God forbid, someone forced you, I will destroy him.”

Livie’s head popped away from his chest. “Nothing like that!”

“Good.” Joshua’s smile was patently relieved. He brushed a kiss on her lips. “Nothing else matters.”

Her heart swelled. “If that had been the case, I would have been so happy with what you said.”

His brow drew together, confused.

“What you said was so …” She ran out of words. The only one that came to mind was that vocabulary word forbidden to ladies: erotic. His fierce defense of her was erotic.

“So … what?” Joshua asked. He leaned in, nipping her earlobe.

“Erotic,” Livie breathed, turning her head enough so their lips met. “Not that I should say that word, or know that word, or—”

She stopped talking because he slipped his tongue between her lips and stole her fumbled explanation.