Page 29 of Unmasking the Earl

She shook her head. “You have condemned him without any proof. You must find your sister and speak to her. Hear her side of the story.”

He stood and started pacing. “If only I could! She must have been blinded by love. Just as you are with that blighted Mr. Carnforth of yours. When I’ve finished with Wycherley, no woman will look twice at him.”

Cassie shuddered in apprehension. “What do you mean? Do you intend to use violence against the poor man?”

“Poor?” the earl exclaimed, his voice getting louder. “You worry about the blackguard? He’s done you no favors. He might easily have ruined you, if I hadn’t intervened.”

“And you wouldn’t?” she shot back, standing up and meeting his gaze full on. “It seems to me, from what has happened between us, that you are hardly better.”

She expected heated denials, or even anger. She moved closer to the door, just in case.

He glanced away, but not fast enough to hide the look of hurt in his eyes. “That was…unintended,” he said. “I’m sorry. I forgot myself.”

“It wasn’t the first time,” she reminded him, uncertain whether she was seeking an apology…or a declaration.

She got both.

“No, it wasn’t,” he said. “Forgive me. I find myself drawn to you, Cassandra—if against my better judgment. But don’t worry. It won’t happen again. You can get on with it and pursue Carnforth, if that’s truly what you want. Just promise me you won’t have anything more to do with Wycherley. He’s going to get his just deserts.”

“Lord Stranraer—”

“Please. Ned is fine. My days as Ganstridge are over, but given the circumstances, it would feel strange for you to start kowtowing to me.” He gave her a meaningful smile.

Her cheeks grew warm, but she refused to let him fluster her. “Very well…Ned. You must take no action until you have found and spoken to your sister. If you harm Wycherley with no justification, you could fall foul of the law. Even if you have justification, you are still not above it. And if your sister loves the man, she won’t be too pleased if you hurt him.”

“I don’t mean to kill him,” Ned said. “Just to spoil his looks and ruin him.”

Cassie’s stomach coiled. “Oh, is that all?” Could Stranraer really be such a brute? She turned and set about replacing the books he’d scattered around, saying, “Well, if you won’t be swayed from such a vile plan for vengeance, you can find Aston yourself, without any help from me.”

She could hear the menace in his voice as he said, “You know where it is, don’t you?”

She turned to face him, lifting her chin. “No.”

“You’re lying.” He was across the room in a couple of strides, catching her by the shoulders. “Tell me, damn it!”

“Not if you growl at me like an angry dog. You do have the most deplorable manners, my lord.”

“Ned. And I can live with that. Are you going to tell me, or do I have to throw you over my lap and spank it out of you?”

What? How dare he? Of all the rude, pompous, ungrateful—

Fighting back her indignation, she inquired icily, “Tell me, is all of Scotland so uncivilized, or just you?”

“Wretched wench. Do you think to tease me? Shall I make good my threat?”

She felt the power of his proximity, the lightning rod of his touch searing through her nerves, igniting her very core. This man had an elemental allure she’d never imagined existed. And clearly, he knew how to use it.

“Ned,” she said, keeping her voice as steady as she could, even as her imagination took flight at the images his threat conjured up. “Shall we make a bargain?”

“I’m listening.”

“Promise me you will not harm Wycherley, and I will tell you where Aston is. I will even help in your quest to find Georgiana.”

He shook his head. “I can’t make a promise I may not be able to keep.”

“You must temper your anger. Wycherley may not have acted as reprehensibly as you believe. At least wait until we know the truth.”

There was a lengthy pause while he scanned her face. Eventually, he released her, saying, “I’ll try. I can promise no more than that. Now, have pity on me, Cassandra, and tell me where my sister is to be found.”