Page 457 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Josephine shifted her gaze to her father. He stood with Mr. Calhoun and Lord Blackwood, his back to Lord Wylst. Sadness squeezed her heart. Might he guess that the wife he had loved for so many years was conducting an affair with the baron? Jo tensed. Would Lord Wylst use this opportunity to make more threats of blackmail to her while she was surrounded by her family—not to mention her future husband?

The mental picture of Nicholas learning of the baron’s deceit, then ramming his fist into Lord Wylst’s nose brought a momentary sense of satisfaction before she remembered that Nick could never know. No one could ever know. Oh, how could her mother be so foolish as to jeopardize their family for a tawdry affair? But Jo suddenly knew why.

That first time Lord Wylst intercepted her on the path between her father’s estate and Lady Kameron’s house, part of his blackmail demand was that she introduce him into Society. She had stood frozen in shock and fear while he railed at the injustice of being snubbed by the bastard Highlanders as an English baron with no wealth to speak of.

Thankfully, his greed got the better of him when she pointed out that she would risk exposing their connection by becoming involved with him socially. An invitation to one of Lady Allaway’s parties would make it difficult for others not to follow suit, however, and his entry into Society would be launched. Her mother had risked her family’s happiness to make possible her paramour’s desire.

Josephine jumped when Nicholas entered the great hall. She’d forgotten he was still on the balcony. He didn’t see her, but continued toward where Lord Wylst stood with other guests.

Lady Allaway had invited more guests for dinner and it looked as if there would be sixty, instead of thirty. Not such a large crowd that Josephine could hide in the chair where she sat. If Nicholas saw her sitting alone he would demand to know what was wrong. She stood and forced her shaky legs to carry her toward the guests. As if sensing her presence, Lord Wylst looked past the man he was speaking with and met her gaze.

Jo’s knees weakened. Steady, she mentally willed herself, and carefully put one foot in front of the other. A corner of his mouth twisted upward in a knowing smile. She wanted to tear her eyes from his, but if she let him know how frightened she was that would only give him more power. She was determined, one way or another, to put an end to his power over her family.

His gaze shifted to Nicholas, and when he drew within speaking distance, Wylst said, “I expect the opportunity to win back my marker, Grayson.”

Nicholas looked in his direction. “You say that as if I am obligated to comply.”

“A gentleman always allows his opponent the opportunity to win back his losses.”

Nicholas laughed, the sound somewhat dangerous to Josephine’s ears. “We aren’t in London,” he said. “Such niceties are not mandatory here in the Highlands.”

Ire flashed in the baron’s eyes. “You aren’t afraid you will lose?”

“I have yet to lose.”

“There is a first time for everything,” Wylst said.

“Aye,” Nicholas replied. “But that day is not today.” He turned slightly, his eyes catching on Josephine. Frowning, he stopped and said to her, “I thought you would be with your mother, Lady Josephine.”

She checked the ire that shot to the surface and said in a sweet voice, “I was admiring the tapestries on the wall. I feel certain I am old enough to do so without my mother’s permission.”

He nodded, but when she reached his side, he took her and and placed it in the crook of his arm. “Be that as it may, I feel better knowing you are in the bosom of your family.”

She understood fully that he meant he didn’t trust her to be alone even in a room filled with people, and wanted to kick him in the shin.

Wylst,” he said with a dismissive nod.

The baron’s gaze narrowed with resentment and Josephine suddenly wanted to kiss Nick when he appeared to have forgotten the baron even existed as he started forward with her.

“What did he mean you had to allow him to win back his money?” she whispered after they had taken several steps.

“He lost to me at cards earlier today.”

“Here, at Barthmont Keep?” she blurted.

Nick looked sharply at her. “Yes. You seem upset by the idea.”

“No, not upset,” she said with a little laugh, though her mind raced with the question of just how much the baron had lost to Nicholas, and if the money he had extracted from her thus far had all been lost at cards. Worse, how long until he lost everything she had to give and he exposed her? “I am just surprised,” she said. “Lady Allaway is strict about her guests arriving the day her parties begin.”

It was a ridiculous lie, and she feared he saw through her when he stared for another instant. Then he shrugged.

“Wylst is not known for considering the feelings of those around him.”

“I understand he was living in France these last twenty years,” she said as Nick steered her around a small group of men. “Yet, you seem to know him well.”

Nicholas nodded to John Leslie. “You are correct, he was living in Paris, but I don’t know him well. I met him in Paris in eighteen seventeen, after the war.”

Sadness sliced through Jo. Paris in eighteen seventeen. He hadn’t been far away at sea as she had always imagined, but close to home.