Page 51 of A Duke But No Gentleman
“So this was a prank?”she asked, a hint of a smile teasing her lips.
“I suppose you could call it one.”He walked to her and clasped her by the hands.Norgrave brought one hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on her gloved knuckles.“Are you amused?”
She laughed, noting he had not released her hands.“Of course.You had me completely fooled.I am certain Tristan will find all of this humorous.When is he expected?”
Instead of answering her question, Norgrave led her to the bed and invited her to sit on the mattress.Above all people, Tristan trusted this gentleman so Imogene saw no reason to protest.
“I was enjoying some brandy,” he said, retrieving his abandoned glass.He took a sip and contemplated her over the rim of the glass.“Would you like to join me?”
Imogene wrinkled her nose.“No, thank you.It is too strong for my stomach,” she said, recalling the night when Tristan practically poured the awful stuff down her throat to calm her nerves.
“If you like, I suppose I could find a bottle of wine,” he said, his eyes resting on her face with a fierce intensity that made her uneasy.
Imogene silently wondered how much of the bottle the marquess had consumed as he waited for her.“There is no need to go to the trouble.I really cannot stay,” she said, rising from the mattress.“Please pass along my regrets to Tristan.”
Norgrave placed his glass of brandy on the table he had been leaning against.He stepped in front of her to prevent her from leaving.“There is no reason to bother him.He doesn’t know you are here.”
“Oh,” she said faintly.“I see.You have used your key.”
It wasn’t a question, but he nodded as if it was.“I’ve had it for years.While Tristan thought the place too grand to use it as his residence, he was reluctant to sell it.Some years, he leases it to families who can afford his exorbitant demands, but lately he has discovered other uses for it.”
Imogene felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.Norgrave knew she and Tristan were lovers.Had he told him?It made little sense since he had appeared eager to keep their relationship a secret.
“Tristan told me that he often comes here to be alone.”
Norgrave chuckled.“Is that why he gave you a key, too, Imogene?”He shook his head.“Do you know how many balls Tristan has hosted in this old house?If only the ghosts in this house could speak.I am not referring to the refined balls you have enjoyed during your stay in London.I speak of the decadent, drunken orgies that continued for days.The glorious nights when both Tristan and I buried our cocks in so many eager wenches, our ballocks were bruised for a sennight.”
Imogene backed away from him and bumped up against the edge of the mattress.The marquess spoke with deliberate crudeness to upset her.Tristan had never denied that he was a scoundrel.Out of kindness he had tried to shelter her from his unsavory past, but he could not escape it completely—not when London was littered with his flirtations and former lovers.
“You speak of the past, not the present, my lord,” she said, anger putting an edge to her voice.
“Do I?”Norgrave purred, pleased by her reaction.“I recall not too long ago when a pretty courtesan was kneeling at your lover’s feet, her talented mouth wrapped around Tristan’s—”
“Enough!”she pleaded, closing her eyes as if she could banish the image the marquess’s words invoked.Her eyes snapped open.She was furious that she was allowing Norgrave to bait her.“I am well aware that Tristan is no saint.In some circles, he is not even viewed as a gentleman.Is there a point in discussing his past with me?”
Beyond hurting me?
“I do not mean to distress you, my dear.In truth, I admire you greatly.You are beautiful and full of compassion.I thought it was imperative that you understood the man who claimed your virginity.”
She glanced away.
“Ah, yes… I know all about it.Naturally, Tristan does not keep secrets from me.He told me all about his fascination with you.It was amusing, really.For a man who has spent most of his adult life steeped in sin, your innocence beguiled him.I hope you do not begrudge him sharing all the scandalous details with me.”
“Why would I mind?”she softly countered, struggling not to drown in the hurt rising up to choke her.“As long as you found it all soamusing.”
He lightly grasped her chin and encouraged her to meet his earnest gaze.“Not all of it, sweet Imogene.It pains me to tell you that Tristan cannot be trusted with your heart.I am certain you are already aware that he tires of you and is seeking a way to end your relationship.”
Hearing her private fears uttered by this gentleman gave her pains in her chest.Norgrave had to hold her up as her knees weakened and her shoulders slumped in defeat.“You did not summon me over a prank.Is that why you are here, my lord?Are you his messenger?”
“I fear so, my poor girl.”His face tightened with anger.“I am often asked to clean up his messes.As his closest friend, it has been my honor to serve him, until this day.Not when I have to gaze upon your sorrowful expression.It shames me to be a part of this.Tristan is a coward and a bastard for hurting you like this.”
Imogene stared at the marquess with tear-filled eyes.If she allowed those tears to fall, her devastation would be complete.She refused to shame herself further in Lord Norgrave’s presence.
“Thank you for telling me the truth, my lord.You can tell Tristan”—she inhaled, feeling as if she was drawing in slivers of glass instead of air—“His Grace that his message has been delivered and that he is free.I will not bother him again.”
She shifted in the marquess’s embrace, her sole thought focused on escape.“Please, I beg of you… let me go.”
“What a damnable situation,” he muttered, pulling her closer.“Here.”He reached for his glass of brandy.“I insist you swallow every drop.You have had quite a shock, and I feel like a bounder since I am responsible.”
