Page 30 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“You are despicable,” Jasper spat. “I have known Lady Adelaide since I was a child, and I have rarely seen her brought to tears. The knowledge thatyouwere the cause of such grief—and you deliberately intended to be the cause—sickens me.”
Reuben grinned. “There were tears? How delicious.”
“You belong in an asylum!” Jasper snapped. “You must be quite out of your mind to believe you may treat young ladies in such a cruel manner. You are not worthy of her tears, or of her.”
“She thinks differently. As I say, we have an understanding—one that does not involve your constant meddling.” A dark thread shivered through Reuben’s words. “Do you think I am unaware of your attempts to dissuade her? I am no fool. And yet… who has emerged the victor? She still desires to be my wife, and I fully intend to make good on our engagement. You cannot rid yourself of me. I shall endure.”
“Well, you cannot rid yourself of me, either.” Jasper squared up to Reuben, the latter bristling with irritation. He did not like to be challenged. Indeed, he highly doubted that Jasper knew the danger he was in.
“I urge you to reconsider,” he growled, his voice low and threatening.
“How amusing. I continue to say that very thing to Lady Adelaide.”
“Do not test me, boy.”
“What could you possibly do?” Jasper countered.
Reuben smiled coldly. “You will avoid my betrothed, or you will discover the true depths of my character.”
“You do not frighten me, Sir.”
“Oh, but I should,” he hissed. “All of those stories you have undoubtedly heard… every single one is true. The last man who crossed me barely escaped with his life. I should hate to have to put you in the same position.”
A warm glow of satisfaction burned in Reuben’s stomach as he took in Jasper’s alarmed expression. He had the boy terrified. After all, he was entirely aware of the reputation that preceded him. The stories did most of the work for him. Bolstering a few tales of brutality, cruelty, and annihilation, he could have a man shaking in his boots in less than five minutes.
“I won’t abandon her to you.” Jasper’s voice caught in his throat.
“And what does your own young lady have to say about such a declaration—that unremarkable blonde wastrel that you seem to fawn over, despite her desperately inferior station?”
As Jasper’s eyes flickered with anger, Reuben knew he’d touched a nerve. He was good at arousing people’s ire. A natural skill that he was rather proud of.
“You leave her out of this,” Jasper warned. “Our dispute concerns my dear friend, and how evidently unsuitable you are for her. If she were here now, do you think she would bend to your will? Do you honestly believe that she would still agree to marry you?”
“I do.”
“Then perhaps youdobelong in a sanatorium.”
Reuben’s eyes narrowed to reptilian slits. “You have enjoyed your jibes, boy, but you will not get to say that again. My request is simple. Stay away from Lady Adelaide or find out what I am truly capable of.” He smirked with amusement. “I do not believe you would fare well in a duel. Now, the choice is yours.”
“You have no real authority, you despicable wretch,” Jasper taunted. “I do not fear—”
He did not get to finish the sentence as Reuben lunged at him, closing his powerful hands around the boy’s throat in one swift move. Jasper’s arms flailed in a panic as he fought to push away from Reuben, but Reuben was much too strong. Cutting off Jasper’s air supply was as simple as crushing an egg between his palms. Besides, he had no qualms about pushing Jasper to the point where he might genuinely start to fear for his life. The boy clearly needed further convincing.
“Your Grace? Jasper?” a trembling voice cut through the icy night. Immediately, he let go of Jasper. He knew that voice.
“My love?” Reuben turned to face Adelaide. She stood at the side-entrance to the park, where a carriage had rumbled to a halt. In the heat of their dispute, Reuben had not heard it clatter by. Her face was a picture of confusion, but he saw no fear there. A wave of relief washed over him—she had not seen anything.
“What are you doing out here?” Adelaide asked, her gaze flitting to Jasper. “Both of you, answer me.”
Reuben cast a subtle look of warning in Jasper’s direction. He inclined his head, showing he understood. What had gone on between them would remain a secret. At least, if Jasper valued his life.
“I might ask you the same question,” Reuben countered.
Adelaide gestured to the carriage, where a shriveled prune of a woman poked her head out. “I took Miss Green back to her home. Rosemary accompanied me.” Her tone was surprisingly hard. “I was on my way back when I spotted you both, out here in the park. I presumed you could only be up to no good.”
“Why would you think that, my love?”
Adelaide sighed sadly. “Because you have given me little reason to believe you are capable of anything honest.”
