Page 70 of The Trouble with Anna

“Simon!” Lady Prudence hissed. “This is not the place.”

Lord Barton yanked Anna closer, his thin lips hovering next to her ear while couples dipped and swirled all around them. “Tried to buy yourself a husband, did you, girl? That’s right, I’ve read the will. Did you think it would remain a secret?”

Anna’s laugh was scathing, even as her eyes began to tear. “Is that your threat? To spread the shocking information that an earl plans to marry for property, when half the Ton has done the same? You really are as stupid as your reputation suggests, my lord.”

He twisted her arm tighter. “You little bitch! I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” said an arctic voice from behind him. “I wonder—do you dare finish that sentence to my face?”

“Ramsay!” Lord Barton dropped Anna’s arm and staggered back from her, his face pale with fright.

Julian turned to Anna. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine!” she cried, even as a wave of relief swept over her. “I can manage on my own.”

“So I heard, my dragon. I thought you only spoke to me that way. Do you have any more to say? Shall I hold him still so you may skewer him again?”

“Not worth our time,” said Anna in a shaky whisper.

Barton sagged with relief, but the movement only attracted Julian’s attention.

“Not so fast, you little toad. If you so much as look at Lady Anna again, I’ll—” Julian broke off and turned his attention to Anna. “You once told me not to interfere without permission. May I interfere now?”

Anna gave a watery laugh even as her heart flipped over. “As you wish, my lord.”

He flashed her a grin and turned back to Barton. “—If you so much as look at Lady Anna again, I’ll squash you under my boot. Do you understand?”

Barton flushed a dull, humiliated red, but he jerked out a nod.

Julian studied the other man with distaste. “I don’t trust your intelligence, so let me make it clearer. Tomorrow, I intend to buy your gambling debts. I’ll buy the ones you have now and any you acquire in the future. If you step in Lady Anna’s direction, if you so much as breathe her name, you’re done.”

“It must be easy for you, my lord, as rich as you are,” Lady Prudence said fiercely. “But my boy—”

“Itiseasy for me. Shockingly easy not to accost young women, easy not to put my estate or those who depend on me in jeopardy. Your son was born with all the same advantages I have, but he gambled them away.”

The Dowager wafted up the group. “Lady Prudence, how red you look! Shall we take a cooling turn on the terrace? We have much to discuss, you and I.” The Dowager patted her grandson’s arm. “Julian, be a darling and escort Anna to Lord Maltraver’s study.”

Julian stiffened. “I beg your pardon?”

“I believe Anna could use a rest. Please escort her to Lord Maltraver’s study.”

Julian looked strangled. “You want me to take Anna toLord Maltraver’s study?”

The Dowager smiled serenely. “Was I not clear?”

“I don’t need a rest!” protested Anna.

The Dowager widened her eyes. “My goodness! One would almost think you two don’t trust yourselves to be alone together.”

“God help me,” Julian muttered grimly.

He sketched his grandmother a short bow and swept Anna away.

CHAPTER31

JULIAN’S BLOOD WAS ON FIRE. It had been seething in his veins since his first glimpse of Anna among the crowd tonight looking half glorious and half furious, rather like a hissing swan. If he was honest, his blood had seethed since he first met her, sometimes with fury but often just with need. And now he was supposed to take her toLord Maltraver’s study, of all wretched places, and fight to keep his hands off her when they were already aching to press her up against the wall and inspect every inch of her for hurts, then drive his fist into her cousin’s jaw, then get back to Anna’s inches and whatever else Lord Maltraver’s study might inspire.

His temper spiked again. Other parts of his body spiked too. He dragged his mind away from Lord Maltraver’s study and imagined Lord Barton’s head on a spike.

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