Page 66 of Unmasking the Earl

“Oh?” She was truly terrified to ask.

Was it her imagination, or had he edged still closer? She felt like a rabbit mesmerized by a stoat. But if she stepped away, he would think it cowardice.

Perhaps she was a coward.

Definitely, she was a coward, because instead of all the questions raging through her head, she said, “So, Lady Georgiana will be leaving soon. That’s a pity. I’d hoped to get to know her better. Has Wycherley been informed?”

Ned’s advance halted. “Why should he be informed?” he queried with a frown.

“Because he’s taken care of her every need for the past six months. You can’t just whisk her away without so much as a by-your-leave.”

“Can I not? I think you’ll find I can, and will.” There was steel in his tone now.

“Just as he took her from you? Do you not remember how terrible that felt, to have her simply disappear?”

He scowled. “That’s different. I’m her brother. He has no right—”

“Doesn’t it matter to you that she loves him? That he loves her?”

Ned waved a dismissive hand. “He has other women. And she has refused to wed him. She will get over him soon enough, as he will her.”

“The other women were because he couldn’t have the one he wanted most. She encouraged him to take lovers, so don’t try and make him out to be a villain,” Cassie countered.

Ned took another step toward her, and she had to crane her neck to hold his gaze. He was dangerously close. And yet, not nearly close enough…

“Why do you care so damned much about that scapegrace?” he asked, visibly frustrated.

“I consider him my friend, so I care what happens to him.” She had to stand her ground on this. She must stand her ground, to prevent broken hearts, and a possible disaster.

“Well, he isn’t my friend. Had he been honest and open about his feelings for Georgiana and done the right thing, she would not now be hiding in a cottage at the back of the North Wind with only half a face and no self-confidence!”

“It was an accident, Ned.” Would he never understand? Of all the stubborn—

“Stop defending him!” Ned’s voice had become a low growl, and the heat of his annoyance radiated out from his body. A muscle worked in his cheek.

Maybe arguing with him at such close quarters was not the best idea. He was more deeply angry than she had ever seen him, but she couldn’t fathom the reason.

“Someone needs to,” she said, trying to keep her tone even. “You have not yet heard his side of the story.”

“Anyone would think you had a tendre for that gentleman,” he shot back.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped, her own temper rising. “You know exactly why I started seeing Wycherley.”

“Feelings can change. Make up your mind, Cassie. Who’s it to be in your bed? Carnforth? Wycherley? Or me?”

What?

She straightened her spine. “That, sir, is a gross insult. I am not… I am not that sort of woman.” By Juno, that hurt! How could he possibly think…? She was almost too angry to speak but managed to spit out, “I don’t wish to be in your odious presence any longer.” She turned to go, but he caught her arm and spun her around to face him.

“I’m not finished with you yet,” he said, his voice deceptively soft.

How dare he manhandle her in public? “Let go of me,” she demanded, lifting her hand to beat him off, but he caught her by the wrist and pulled her roughly against his body.

Then he bent his head and kissed her.

With a hunger which was astonishing.

She struggled against him. “No.”