Page 38 of Stolen By the Duke of Stone

“His Grace is an excellent husband,” she said, feeling as though she ought to say more. “And I consider myself very fortunate to be his wife.”

Andrew looked down at her, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. They were exchanging pleasantries, and that was the sort of thing one said about one’s husband, whether one believed it or not.

As for whether she believed it… Well, she believed it more than she had ever thought possible.

Baron Lorthey sneered, his lip curling. “Let us hope, then, that he remains worthy of such admiration, Your Grace.” The way he said it implied that he doubted such a thing were possible.

Jessamine tilted her head up. “I recommend you do not speak about my husband in such a way.”

The baron’s sneer hardened. “Or what? What will you do, you little⁠—”

There was a flash of movement. One moment Andrew was beside her, standing perfectly still⁠—

And the next, he had Baron Lorthey’s arm twisted behind him.

The gesture looked almost easy, but the way Baron Lorthey’s eyes bulged, Jessamine suspected Andrew was exerting a great deal of force.

“I recommend,” Andrew said in a low, threatening voice, “that you never speak to my wife like that again.”

Jessamine’s heart pounded in her chest. She ought to despise violence, but her chest felt oddly full and tight as she looked at him and the innate strength in his arms.

Andrew pushed the baron a little against the wall. To a casual observer, they were nothing more than two friends talking together and standing a little too close.

“I have allowed you your grief, but if you continue like this, I will have no choice but to set things straight,” he gritted out.

Lord Lorthey swallowed, his face turning the pasty pale of porridge. Evidently he understood the threat in Andrew’s voice just as well as Jessamine did.

“Understand?” Andrew asked, still in that low voice.

Lord Lorthey nodded sullenly, and Andrew released him, clapping him once on the shoulder in a comradely way. But when he turned and Jessamine caught sight of his eyes, she saw they were blazing with anger. It was almost enough to make her shiver.

“Good day,” Lord Lorthey said, his voice tight with resentment as he bowed and went on his way.

Andrew’s fists tightened by his sides, and he drew in a long, slow breath that looked as though its purpose was to steady himself. Judging by the still-wild expression deep in his eyes, however, it was failing.

“Are you all right?” he asked her, sounding as though the question came with effort.

Perhaps because he was clenching his teeth.

“Perfectly. Thank you for coming to my defense.” She stepped a little closer and rested a hand on his arm. “Shall we take a walk before returning to the carriage?”

If they were not in London, she might have suggested he go for a hard ride instead, letting the exercise work off a little of his energy. Instead, this was the only thing she could imagine; she did not want him cooped in a carriage after a confrontation of that nature.

He nodded stiffly, taking her hand again and striding through the crowd until they found a more secluded road, framed by tall houses on either side and few people. Jessamine waited for the only other person sharing the space—a man—before asking the question at the forefront of her mind.

“What happened there? Who is Lord Lorthey?”

“He is a baron,” Andrew said.

“Yes, I gathered as much, but how do you know him?”

His teeth snapped together. “That is of no consequence. But a word of warning, Jessamine: do not speak back to men like that. I am one thing. You don’t know what they might do. It’s not safe.”

His concern sent a small smile to her lips. “I lived in Scotland for a long time, Andrew. I can defend myself.”

“Oh?” He stepped even closer, taking her chin in his fingers, tilting her chin up toward him.

Her stomach tumbled. They were outside, the sky silhouetted behind his head, but they were alone, the sounds of the city muted here. A small park stood at the end of the street, a wrought-iron fence around it, and he pushed her through the gate.