Page 92 of The Seduction of an English Scoundrel

“It appears to be a family trait.”

“Kindly return to the subject, Chloe.”

“Oh, well, as you have probably already guessed, Heath told Grayson, who reacted in typical high-handed fashion. Did he confront you and give you a chance to explain? No, he summoned his solicitors in the middle of the night and met in secret with your father.”

“To sue me for sabotaging my own wedding?”

“No. To arrange one. Yours and his.”

Jane’s heart skipped several beats. She could not picture her father involved in this midnight intrigue. What was that devil lover of hers doing? “I believe I have misunderstood you. Grayson intends to—”

“Marry you.”

“Not that I should become his mistress?”

“Oh, good heavens, no. That was part of his plan to teach you a lesson.” Chloe popped a chocolate into her mouth while Jane stared at her in wordless shock. “Are you sure you don’t want one of these?”

“The scoundrel,” Jane said, exhaling slowly, a smile of delight spreading across her face. So, he had been toying with her, had he? Planning a naughty game to punish her for deceiving him. Perhaps she deserved it. But he hadn’t won yet. Jane’s fighting spirit rose to the challenge. Her next move must be thought out carefully. She had played right into his hand last night by demanding he marry her. How he must have enjoyed watching her panic.

“I should have known the unprincipled rogue was up to something,” she muttered.

“Don’t you just hate him?” Chloe asked in sympathy.

Jane’s smile tightened. “Of course I don’t hate him. I love the blackguard, or I would not have allowed myself to be placed in this unspeakable position.”

“I wish I could be placed in an unspeakable position with a man I loved,” Chloe said, her eyes glinting with wistful mischief. “Every time I come even close, one of my odious brothers makes an appearance to ruin everything. Ever since my father’s death, Grayson and Heath have protected me to the point that I may as well live in a cage. I think I’m a lot like you, Jane.”

Jane was quiet, reflecting on Grayson’s comment about how Chloe had taken to wild behavior since their father’s death. What kind of man would make a good husband for Chloe? A suitor very strong yet kind. Marrying into the Boscastle brood was not for the faint of heart. Still, unless someone intervened, it appeared that brother and sister would soon come to a clash of wills.

And Jane herself was about to come to blows with Grayson, who thought himself so clever planning their betrothal in secret. Only a devilish mind would go to such lengths to ensnare her so completely. She might have been furious at him for having fun with her if she hadn’t started this whole thing.

“What am I going to do, Chloe?”

“I say you should teach him a lesson right back.”

“Do you?” Oh, Jane liked that idea. To keep the devil she loved on his toes.

“Perhaps we could ask Mrs. Watson for advice,” Chloe suggested, brightening at the thought of stirring trouble in her brother’s life. “The woman is an expert on the English male.”

“Mrs. Watson—the courtesan par excellence in London?”

“The courtesan par excellence in Brighton—she arrived yesterday afternoon. The coaches run every half hour from London.”

“Would you mind taking me to see Mrs. Watson today? I could use the advice of an experienced female.”

“Why should I mind? It’s not as if I have anything else to do with my day except languish under Grayson’s guard.”

“Do you think she would mind helping me?”

“Mind?” Chloe said. “I think she’d be honored. Audrey has always had a soft spot for my brother. And she thrives on this sort of fun.”

Jane rose decisively. “I’ll fetch my shoes and gloves while you finish dressing. And please do not let your brothers know where we are going.”

“I shall tell them we are going to the library,” Chloe said, bubbling over with glee. “To further our education.”

Mrs. Watson had been on her way back from taking the sea air on the promenade with an escort of gentlemen when the two young women arrived. Their carriage slowed at her charming little house with its bow windows and wrought-iron fence. Audrey was stylishly attired in a high-waisted yellow poplin dress and straw hat with ostrich feathers, looking more like a respectable matron than a notorious courtesan.

She clapped her gloved hands in delight when she recognized her visitors. “Oh, darlings, how good of you to call. And just in time for cake and brandy.” She hugged Chloe warmly, whispering, “You silly girl. Falling in love with a soldier with all those foreign princes about to visit for our victory. I thought you had more sense. And you, Lady Jane, well, you and Sedgecroft are certainly giving my small scandals some competition. Come inside and enlighten me. I am starved for gossip.”