Page 79 of Because You're Mine
“And their needs are more important than those of your family?”
Logan regarded her with a cool gaze, knowing exactly what kind of game Justine was attempting to play. In his life there had been no end of married women who had pursued him for various reasons. “What do you want?” he asked curtly, making no attempt at politeness.
His terse manner didn’t seem to bother her. Justine smiled provocatively and came toward him with a slow, suggestive walk. “I want to know if you are making my sister happy. It’s a matter of great concern to me.”
“You’ll have to ask her, Lady Bagworth.”
“She wouldn’t tell me the truth, I fear. To Madeline, the facade is everything.”
“Do you have reason to suspect that my wife is discontented?”
“Only the obvious fact that you’re a mismatch, Mr. Scott. A man like you…and my little sister…I’m sure she has no idea how to handle you. Why, she must be absolutely terrified of you.”
“She doesn’t give me that impression,” Logan replied sardonically, concealing his growing contempt. “Tell me, Lady Bagworth, what kind of womandoyou envision as a suitable match for a man like me?”
“Someone beautiful…confident…experienced…” Justine shrugged her shoulders in a practiced manner, letting her puffed sleeves drop to her elbows, the front of her blue silk gown drooping over her breasts until the tips were nearly exposed. She leaned back against a table, pushing her cleavage together, and slanted a look from beneath her lashes.
The pose was so blatant that Logan nearly laughed. “A charming invitation,” he said, his dry tone implying the opposite. “However, I have no interest in any woman but my wife.”
Justine’s eyes glinted with jealous fury. “That can’t be true,” she said baldly. “You can’t prefer that timid, plain mouse over me!”
Logan stared at her with a mocking smile. Of all the words that could be used to describe the rebellious girl who had enthusiastically invaded his life and changed everything, “timid” and “plain” were not among them. “I suggest that you pull up your dress, Lady Bagworth, and return to the ball.”
His flat refusal only seemed to fuel her determination. “I can make you want me,” she said, and launched herself at him.
Logan’s mockery evaporated as he tried to separate himself from the woman who was suddenly tangled around him. The box fell to the floor, perfect blended cigars spilling over the carpet. Logan let out a breath of mingled amusement and disbelief. It was like performing in a bad farce. In the brief struggle, he barely heard the opening of the library door. All of a sudden he heard his wife’s voice, and he felt a stab of dismay.Bloody hell, he thought, glancing in Madeline’s direction.
“I’ve been looking for you, Justine,” Madeline said, staring at her sister rather than Logan. For once it was impossible to see what she was thinking, her face still and guarded.
Logan’s jaw bunched tightly. With Justine’s dress in disarray, the proximity of their bodies…he was well aware of how it looked. If there was anything he couldn’t stand, it was being manipulated by a woman.
Shooting Justine a murderous glance, he shoved her away and turned to face Madeline. One part of his mind suggested slyly that he should have made use of the opportunity to humble Madeline once and for all. But he instantly rejected the idea. Whatever else Madeline thought of him, it was paramount that she know he had no designs on her sister. He had no desire to be unfaithful to her.
“Maddy…” he started, and for the first time in his life realized that he was at a loss for words. Sweating, furious, he thought of a dozen ways to explain the situation but couldn’t seem to produce a sound.
Justine gave Madeline a defiant glance, her lips curving triumphantly. “Your husband couldn’t seem to help himself,” she said. “All I wanted was to talk to him, but he—”
“I know what happened,” Madeline said calmly. “And I would appreciate it if in the future you would refrain from throwing yourself at my husband. It’s a nuisance he doesn’t deserve…and neither do I.”
Justine straightened her dress and pulled up her sleeves. “Tell her whatever you like,” she said to Logan, her voice turning shrill. “I’m sure you’ll paint yourself as the innocent victim—she may even be naive enough to believe you.” Angrily she swept from the room, the door slamming in her wake.
Logan stared at his wife, feeling as awkward as he had in his boyhood years, when he had been caught in a bit of mischief. “Maddy, I didn’t invite her—”
“I know,” she said matter-of-factly. “You would never try to seduce your wife’s sister, even if you were attracted to her.”
“I’m not,” Logan muttered, raking his hands through his hair until it stood up wildly.
“Here…don’t do that.” Madeline approached him and reached up to smooth the dark locks with her gloved hand. Her gentle touch soothed his aggravated temper. “Justine wouldn’t have gone through with it, in any event. She just wanted some attention.”
“She nearly got more than she bargained for. I was ready to kill her.”
“I’m sorry you were put in such a situation.”
He caught at her stroking hand and held it, staring into her small face. “You have every reason to be suspicious, Maddy.”
“I’m not,” she said softly, making him shake his head in frustration.
“If our positions had been reversed, I would have believed the worst of you.”
