Page 50 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Suddenly, the earl was gone.

She looked up to see Ev had arrived and pulled Lord Rosewell off her. Ev slammed his fist into her attacker’s face and blood gushed from his nose. Ev angrily pushed the earl away and he fell to the ground.

With hate flashing in his eyes, Lord Rosewell said, “You will be sorry, Camden.” He pushed himself to his feet and pulled out a handkerchief to brush the blood from his face. “As it is, you may congratulate me.”

Glancing to Adalyn, the earl smiled triumphantly and revealed, “I now have my fiancée.”

“What?” she gasped.

“Why, dear girl, we have been caught in an embrace by the Duke of Camden, one of the most powerful men in Polite Society. He will be the first to acknowledge that you are ruined. Naturally, being a gentleman, I will wed you quickly. It’s the right thing to do.”

Ev crossed his arms. “Since I am the only one who witnessed this—and will never say anything about the incident—Lady Adalyn’s reputation is still intact.” He paused and then spoke again, his tone deadly. “I suggest you leave the soiree, Rosewell. I wouldn’t want the ladies present to see your pretty nose all out of joint. Perhaps it will give you some character now. Perfection is so bland.”

“I do not need your confirmation of this kiss, Camden,” Rosewell said tersely. “All I have to do is make mention of it within my circle of friends—and let them know Iwantword of our tryst to become public. If anyone asks, I will freely admit that Lady Adalyn and I were carried away by passion and kissed. That we are now betrothed and planning our wedding.” He smiled smugly. “There isn’t a thing you can do about it, Your Grace. I have won the prize I sought.”

Tears sprang to Adalyn’s eyes, knowing the earl would do exactly as he said. She would be trapped in not merely a loveless marriage but one that started in mistrust and hatred. The future she had once looked forward to would now be like a death sentence.

Except it would go on until either Rosewell or she was dead and buried.

Then Ev’s hands shot out, latching on to the earl’s lapels, jerking Rosewell close until their noses practically touched.

“You are never to mention this incident,” Ev growled, his eyes narrowing, his tone deadly. “I will not see Lady Adalyn’s life ruined by you forcing her to wed you.”

The duke paused and she saw how he barely restrained his rage.

“I am a duke,” he continued. “Aduke. A man you should never tangle with. I have the power. The position. The wealth. The friends. Everything it would take to break you. If you dare to ruin Lady Adalyn, Rosewell, then I will destroy you ten times over. I will see that you lose everything. Your estates. Your fortune. Your name. I won’t stop until I see you in rags, begging for a hard crust of bread.”

Lord Rosewell’s jaw fell open. No words came out. Adalyn saw the fear in them, knowing the earl realized this duke would do exactly as he promised.

Ev released Rosewell, shoving him back.

“My apologies, Your Grace. I will keep silent.”

Ev glared at the earl. “You should be apologizing to Lady Adalyn.”

Rosewell turned to her, a defeated man. “My lady, I offer my sincere apology to you. I beg that you accept it.”

“As long as you never speak to me—or His Grace—ever again, then I will accept it,” she said dismissively.

“Thank you, my lady. Your Grace.” Lord Rosewell made a quick exit. Relief swept through her, knowing she would not be shackled to the wicked earl.

“Thank you, Ev,” she said quietly. “If anyone but you had seen us together, I would have had to marry him. You have saved me from a miserable existence.”

She leaned up and brushed a quick kiss along his cheek to thank him.

But Ev caught her elbows and turned so that her mouth touched his.

And the world exploded in fire.

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