Page 101 of Lyon of Least Resistance

James’s throat constructed as the air left his lungs.

Georgiana had eloped—with Sir Iain.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Cordelia’s stomach twisted with nausea.

“Dear Lord!” she whispered. “Georgiana—what have you done?”

James climbed out of his bed.

“Ahem.” The footman blushed.

James glanced at his groin, then, his cheeks warming, slipped on his breeches.

“Why are you out of bed, Cordelia?” he said.

“I heard knocking.”

“Did you know anything about my sister’s flight?”

The knots in her stomach tightened. “Of course not!” she said. “Surely you don’t think I’d be party to—”

“No,” he said, sighing, and shook his head. “Forgive me. It’s just…”

“Just what?” she said tartly. “Just I’m a whore, and whores are more likely to—”

She broke off as the footman cleared his throat again.

“You were very eager to warn me about Georgiana and Sir Iain,” James said. “Why was that?”

“Surely you don’t think it’s because I planned their elopement?”

“No, but you seemed to take an interest in that gentleman.”

“And why do you think that was?” Cordelia said. “Did you not say that you were concerned about my former…visitors being among your circle of acquaintance?”

James wrinkled his nose. “Good grief—not Sir Iain?”

Cordelia bit her lip to stem the nausea, then a tear splashed onto her cheek. “I have no wish to deceive you, James.”

“Did he pay well?”

She flinched, then turned her head aside. “He was no different to half of the men of the ton, except for…”

“Except for what?” he said, reaching for his shirt.

“Except that he didn’t always understand that even a whore deserves to be asked if she consents.”

His eyes widened and he froze, his shirt half on. “Surely he didn’t…”

“Didn’t what?” she said bitterly. “Do you think that because the woman is a doxy, a man can never be accused of r—”

“Do not say it!” he cried. “Dear Lord! Are you telling me that Sir Iain is the kind of man who’d force himself on a woman? And he’s with my sister? Why the blazes didn’t you tell me?”

“Would you have believed me?”

He opened his mouth to reply, then glanced at the footman, his cheeks reddening.