Page 74 of The English Duke
When he put out his arm and would have wound it around her waist, she pulled away.
“What did you do?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“He took the elixir last night. I know that much. I also know that it makes him forget whole chunks of time. How did you convince him that he seduced you?”
“That’s between Jordan and me.”
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Especially since you were in my bed.”
He continued to look at her as if she was a bug he was studying.
“Does it matter? Why are you so interested? I’ll make him a good wife.”
“I frankly doubt that,” he said. “I think you’ll be one more millstone around his neck.”
“A wealthy millstone.”
His laughter was irritating.
“You really do know your own worth, don’t you? You’ve sold yourself to be a duchess, and I don’t doubt you’ll wring every penny from the bargain. If I let the marriage happen, that is.”
He tried to put his arm around her again and once more she stepped away.
“What do you mean?” she asked, disliking that trembling feeling in her stomach.
“What do you think would happen if I told him you were in my bed last night?”
As a threat it was effective.
“You aren’t going to say anything,” she said.
“Why not?”
“Because you would have already. You needn’t worry. I’ll be a solicitous wife.”
“I doubt Jordan wants anyone solicitous. Perhaps someone with the milk of human kindness running through her veins. I have a feeling yours has curdled.”
“You didn’t think so last night,” she said. “Are you jealous?”
She gave him one of her best smiles, the one she reserved for men who’d done something worthy of her praise.
He didn’t seem affected, if his grin was an indication.
“Not in the least. I have a feeling that, should I visit Sedgebrook after the nuptials, the bride might well occupy my bed. Just to ensure she doesn’t suffer from boredom.”
This time her smile was genuine.
“Perhaps something like that could be arranged,” she said.
His grin vanished and his eyes went flat.
“Or I could tell Jordan where you were last night.”
She heard a bargain in his threat. She was good at negotiations, especially if she had no other choice. In Reese she recognized a person who saw a situation for what it was worth and took advantage of it. They were not unlike in that trait.
The question was: What would she have to give up to keep him quiet?
