Page 66 of A Duke But No Gentleman
“Blackbern will never marry you, Imogene,” the marquess taunted.“You have betrayed the man whom you claim you love, and you will continue to do so.”
“You are the one who betrayed him, not I,” she cried.
Norgrave did not react to her words.“You chose the wrong man,” he said, sounding disappointed in her.“However, I am willing to forgive you.”
She flinched when he tried to stroke her cheek.
“Fight me if you must.Eventually, you will come to accept the truth.”
Afraid to provoke him further, Imogene bit down on her tongue to keep from speaking.
The marquess’s lips twisted into a mocking smile.“Even if Blackbern deigns to touch you again, it will be my face you will see when you close your eyes.My hands on your breasts… my mouth between your thighs giving you pleasure.”
Imogene pulled the sheet higher as she shuddered.Norgrave had been wrong about Tristan, but he had been correct about one thing.She thought of him often.It angered and confused her, leaving her to wonder if she would truly be free of his torment.
She rolled over onto her side at the soft knock at the door.
Someone opened the door and peered in.
“Imogene, are you awake?”her sister asked.
“Yes.”She sat up on the mattress.“Is something wrong?”
“I came to ask you the same question.”Verity entered the chamber.She placed the branch of candles she was holding on the table near the bed.“You seemed distracted at dinner this evening.Did you and Blackbern quarrel this afternoon?”
“Why do you ask?”
Verity shrugged.Not waiting for an invitation, she sat down on the bed.“He has made a habit of lingering in the garden with you, but today he departed with barely a word to anyone.Mama noted that your duke appeared to be upset.”
“I thought Mama was ignoring Blackbern?”Imogene asked, deliberately using his title in front of her sister.She had done her best to shelter Verity from the more scandalous details of her relationship with the duke, and Norgrave’s attack.Her mother and father had also agreed with her decision.
Verity leaned back until her head rested on the pillow.“The duke is wearing her down.The last time he called her dragon, I swear, she smiled when his back was turned.”
“He once told me that he would win our mother over,” Imogene admitted.“At the time, it seemed like an impossible task, but I should not have doubted him.One would have to be dead not to fall for his flattery.”
“Including you?”
“Yes,” she said softly.“Including me.”
“So does this mean you will be marrying the duke?”Before Imogene could ask Verity why she had come to this conclusion, her sister went on to explain.“A few days ago, I overheard Papa tell someone that he expected that you and Blackbern would be posting banns soon.And this afternoon, I came across Mama and the housekeeper while they discussed the recent entries in the kitchen ledger.Mama said that the next few orders would be higher than usual, on account that you and—”
Imogene rolled over and tugged the end of her sister’s braid.“Good grief, you little sneak!How many times do I have to tell you that it is rude to listen at doors?One of these days, you are going to overhear something that you will truly regret.”
“How else am I supposed to find out what is going on in this house?”Verity demanded.“No one tells me anything.And before you deny it, I know all of you are keeping something from me.”
She didn’t evade her sister’s intent gaze.In the candlelight, her sister looked older.While Imogene had been distracted with her own concerns, Verity had been maturing into a young lady.“Why do you believe everyone is keeping secrets?Did you overhear something not meant for your curious ears?”
“What about the night Mama and Papa were summoned to the Ludsthorpes’ town house?”
Imogene rolled onto her back and covered her eyes with her forearm.She resisted the urge to groan in frustration.Of course, it would have been too much to hope that her sister had been blissfully unaware of that horrible night.
“What about it?You are aware that I had fallen ill, and Blackbern was worried.He brought me to his aunt’s house, and Mama and Papa were summoned.The physician thought it was prudent that I stay in bed for a few days.You know all of this,” she said, feeling exasperated and annoyed that her sister wanted answers that she was reluctant to give.
“Mama was so upset.She and Papa argued.”
Her eyes widened with alarm.“What did you overhear?”
“Nothing.They were speaking too softly, but I could tell they were talking about you.”Verity bit her lip as if she was stalling.“Maybe Blackbern.”
