Page 132 of Her Beast

But she was so angry and jealous that she couldn’t think straight. What kind of manwashe to have her in his chambers while another woman waited for him somewhere else in his house?

“Is she waiting for you? In your bedchamber or that wicked room across the corridor?”

He chuckled.

“Don’t laugh at me.”

“I’m not. I’m laughing at the situation.”

“Why?”

“I’m here with you. What does it matter where she is?’

“If I had not asked to see you tonight, would you have gone to her, for—for pleasure?”

“That is why I employ her,” he stated it mildly, as if they were talking about a charwoman or parlor maid.

Julia felt as though she’d been kicked by a horse, the pain in her chest making it difficult to breathe. She pushed up to her feet and this time he didn’t stop her. Julia marched toward the door.

“Come here, Julia.”

Julia stopped but didn’t turn. “Why should I?”

“Are you jealous of Maisie?”

She whipped around, only to discover that he was a step behind her. How did he move so fast!

She scowled up at him. “Don’t be absurd. Of course I’m not jealous of a p-prostitute.” Her lie sounded woefully unconvincing.

He went to his desk and did something to the odd, black lacquer box that sat on the corner.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking care of a problem.”

“What problem? What is that—”

The door opened and Norris stood on the threshold.

“Yes, sir?” the tall, thin valet asked, carefully not looking at Julia.

Even so, Julia’s face burned with embarrassment. She’d begun to think of Norris—and Kemp and John—as friends. Now she wouldn’t be able to look them in the eyes. What must they think of her not only coming to see Malcolm but all but begging to do so?

Malcolm didn’t even glance at his servant, keeping Julia pinned with his gaze. “Tell Maisie I don’t need her. Pay her for the entire time and send her home in one of my carriages.”

“Of course, sir.”

“That is all.”

The door shut behind him and Malcolm asked, “Better?”

Julia despised herself for the surge of relief that flooded her at the knowledge the other woman would soon be gone. “What about the second woman? Amanda?” she spat the name out like a fly she’d discovered in her tea.

His faint smirk was even worse than his grin. “She was only here for the night.”

“ButMaisieyou keep here all the time and move about like a chess piece? She just comes and goes at your whim?”

“Yes.” Something in his frosty gaze told Julia that she would soon be doing the same thing.

---