Page 58 of The English Duke
“What did you think you were going to do, Josephine? Tell Jordan that same idiotic tale about not being able to sleep? Did you think to seduce him?”
She took a step back from him. Doing so put her close to his bed. He could reach out with one hand and push her gently onto the mattress.
“Afterward, you were going to do what? Scream in terror or do something to attract attention? Did you think being found in his bed would be enough for him to offer marriage?”
“You’re insane,” she said.
Her tears had dried up fast enough. She wasn’t the pitiful virgin right now. He suspected the frown she was giving him was closer to her true nature.
“I’m leaving, right now,” she said.
“Are you? Do you think I’m going to let you do what you’d planned?”
“Why shouldn’t you? It’s none of your concern.”
He should have expected her arrogance. This woman was not going to be embarrassed or humiliated. Instead, she faced him down, almost daring him to do something.
He never wanted a woman as much as he wanted her, right this moment.
He smiled. “Oh, but it is. Jordan is my friend. He deserves better than your little games.”
“Who do you think you are?” she asked, contempt dripping from every word. “The morals judge?”
He took a step toward her, until he was only inches away.
“No,” he said. “I’m your lover.”
She tilted her head back and stared up at him. “It’s my decision who I take to my bed,” she said, “and I don’t choose you.”
“Ah, but you have, by coming into my room and not making a sound.”
He guessed her smile took a great deal of effort, but she somehow managed it.
“If you’d made it to Jordan’s room you would have discovered that he wasn’t there.”
“Where is he?” she asked.
“Do you think I’m going to tell you? I wouldn’t put it past you to wander through Sedgebrook looking for him. Better you should practice your seduction talents with me.”
“I don’t need any practice.”
He pushed at her shoulders. The expression as she landed on the mattress was one he would always remember.
“Oh, I think you do,” he said, joining her.
Chapter 17
Martha slipped outside her room, closing the door softly behind her. She stood there for a moment before crossing the hall and knocking softly on her sister’s door.
When Josephine didn’t answer she knocked again. When there was still no response, she grabbed the door handle and entered the room. The lamp was burning on the bedside table, but Josephine wasn’t there.
In the time she was talking to Amy, Josephine had evidently put her plan into action.
Now what did she do? Dear God, what? She’d never been the type to panic, but she was cold with fear.
Had Josephine gone to the duke’s suite?
She had to stop her.
