Page 48 of The Virgin and the Viscount

“I know you’ve always wanted me. I can see it in your eyes. I can also see the change in you. My brother has taken you to his bed, hasn’t he?” His eyes roamed the length of her. “Tell me, sweet Tilly, does he make you cry out in ecstasy?”

Her heart thundered in her ears. Sullivan had obviously told Thomas about that night before he and Melanie had married. Even though Sullivan had sworn he’d never revealed her secret, it was quite obvious he had. Betrayal wove through her like a fever, making her feel ill. “That is certainly none of your business.”

“Ah yes, you must be a spitfire in the bed. I thought that would be the case with your sister, but alas, she is frigid. Cold and boring, does nothing but lie there while I slake my lust with her unresponsive body.” The alcohol on this breath burned her eyes.

“And that is none of my business.” Tilly tried in vain to move away from him again.

He gripped both her arms, holding her in place while he ran his nose up the column of her neck. “So sweet.”

She swallowed and clenched her eyes closed. “Unhand me.”

“I could make you weep with rapture.”

“I sincerely doubt that.”

“Get away from my wife,” Sullivan roared from the doorway.

Thomas stepped away from her then. “We were merely having a conversation.”

“With your body pressed against hers? That is not a conversation.” Sullivan closed the distance and wrapped his arm around Tilly, pulling her close to his body. His brown gaze searched her face. “Are you all right?”

She nodded.

“I didn’t touch her,” Thomas said.

“Go home to your own wife, brother. Sleep off the liquor. If I find that you upset her, you and I will revisit this conversation. I will not have you manhandling or frightening her. Understand?”

Thomas snorted. “Don’t threaten me, and don’t pretend as if you’re good at taking care of people.” With that, Thomas turned on his heel and stormed out.

“Did he hurt you?” Sullivan asked.

She shook her head. “Not physically, but I believe he suggested he and I should have an affair.” She pulled herself out of her husband’s arms and walked away. She needed time to think. “He was obviously quite drunk.”

“Drunk or not, he doesn’t get to put his hands on you.”

It mattered not anymore if Thomas knew she’d once fancied herself in love with him. Especially now that she knew those feelings had been shallow and childlike. She hadn’t known him; she hadn’t truly known herself. She’d been swept up in the romance of it all, so none of that mattered. It did, however, matter that Sullivan had lied to her.

He came up behind her, put his hands on both of her arms, and squeezed her gently.

“I’m really not in the mood to talk, Sullivan,” she said, turning around to face him.

“Are you certain he didn’t hurt you?”

She shook her head. “No. He didn’t hurt me.”

“You’re angry with me.” The line between his brows deepened, fury flashing in his eyes. “Naturally. Thomas nearly assaults you, but it’s me you’re cross with.”

Her spine went stiff as she felt the full force of his betrayal. “I was never in danger with Thomas. In the Ladies of Virtue, I’ve been trained to handle much worse. I could have easily handled him.”

“And yet you didn’t.” His expression was grim. “Perhaps because you welcomed his advances?” He stalked over until he stood beside her, glaring down at her, anger in his eyes. And something else as well. “Make no mistake, Freckles, he can’t have you.”

She took a step closer to him, her own glare matching his. “I’m sorely tempted to slap you right now.”

“For telling you that you can’t sleep with my brother?”

“For imagining I would ever want to, you arrogant ass. He probably wouldn’t have even approached me if you hadn’t betrayed me.”

He stumbled back a step. Clearly, her words surprised him. “How have I betrayed you?”

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