Page 35 of What a Scot Wants
“What are you doing?” she asked, voice breathy and cracking, her chest tightening with fear and dread. “Lord Dunrannoch will be looking for me.”
“That callow Scot doesn’t deserve you,” he said. “I’d forgotten about Lady Kincaid’s acquaintance with Lady Dunrannoch. It seems she has sought to strengthen the family bonds.”
Thoughts swarmed behind his eyes, the brown irises a touch too bright. He was angry. He couldn’t bejealous? But already, what felt like a thousand small bugs skittered over her skin as he looked at her with palpable longing.
“I’ve missed you, Gennie.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Have you forgotten,Gennie, that you were the one who invited me to address you familiarly in the first place?” he replied with a wry grin, his dimples creasing.
Once upon a time, the sight of them used to make her breathing race. He was still a handsome man, though his heart was rotted like the rest of him. He was a monster through and through. If things hadn’t happened as they had, she would have ended up married to him…chained to him forever.
Renewed nausea swirled. “At the time, we were”—she choked—“affianced.”
“Affianced,” he said, mocking the word. “In truth, we still are.”
“You’re deluded if you think you have any claim on me.” Her lungs seized in revulsion as she put some space between them. “Go, Silas. We are finished. The engagement, farce that it was, ended the minute you took what was not yours to take. I want you out of my life!”
“Most men would disagree. We were engaged to be wed, and you found yourself in that club of your own free will, if I recall. Others would see it that way.” His smile only widened as his eyes raked over her, his tongue slicking across his lips. “It’s been thirteen years. Much has changed. However, you… Well, you’re still stunning. I should have returned sooner.”
Silas stepped forward, his manner confident and predatory. She looked around her, searching for something, anything, she could use for a weapon. A flower pot, a candelabra. If he dared come closer she’d pick it up and hurl it at him.
“Don’t take another step,” she warned. “You know why I was at that club. For Belinda.”
“One glass of sherry and you couldn’t help yourself. You threw yourself at me, begged me to prove my love. Told me you were mine. A man can only have so much restraint, my love.”
“No, I didn’t…” But the denial was weak. Her throat closed up, the gaps in her memory more terrifying than what she did remember of that night. Seeing her internal struggle, Silas took another step toward her. Imogen blinked, her hand rising upward. “Please don’t.”
He paused with a sly, almost playful smirk. “Are you frightened of me? You’ve no reason to be. I only wish to speak to you.”
“Then allow me to pass. We can speak in the foyer.” Where there would be more people. Perhaps even Ronan, come to search for her.
Silas grimaced. “The matter is of a private nature.”
There was nothing—absolutely nothing—that could have tempted her less. “The duke is expecting me. Step aside, Silas.”
“The duke is who I wish to speak to you about.”
“I have nothing to say to you on that matter.”
“I went to great lengths to gain admittance to this ball, Gennie. Please give me a minute of your time. That’s all I ask.”
He spoke with such gentleness, such docility. When combined with his boyish looks, his large brown eyes and crooked grin, Imogen could easily understand why any unsuspecting girl would trust him. She despised him for the ruse; it was nothing but a lure, a worm on a hook. Perhaps at seventeen she had been gullible prey, but Imogen was a different person now. Her mind knew as much, and yet her body didn’t want to listen. She shivered uncontrollably, her breathing labored. She had to get out of there.Now.
“I’ve been in London for a month, and what do I read in the newssheets?” Silas asked. “An announcement for your engagement, to a Highlander duke.MyGennie, engaged.”
Voices rose in the adjacent hallway. Imogen’s heart leaped with hope and terror. Should she scream? Shout for help? Footsteps drew nearer and then fell away.
Silas didn’t so much as flinch.
“You say things haven’t changed. Perhaps you’re right. I haven’t ceased wanting you, Imogen. And the way you’re reacting to me… The fact that you’ve never married… I can see you’re still confused about your feelings for me as well.”
“You’re delusional. The only thing I want is for you to leave me alone!”
He shook his head, seemingly amused by her outburst. “You’re not going to wed that Highlander. We both know it. And we both know why.”
He took a step in reverse, rather than closer to her. She hadn’t expected the retreat, but it didn’t lessen Imogen’s fear one bit. No. She wasn’t going to marry Ronan, but not for the reason Silas believed.
