Page 17 of The Lyon’s Lass

Unfortunately, it was also the slightest bit true. Damnation.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t have wagered in the first place.” She couldn’t help that it came out a bit snappish. It was silly, but the reminder that she was simply the means to an end hurt.

“Each of us had reasons for doing what was needed.” His gaze cut over to the boy at her side who had half the foul from the center of the table on his plate. She let out a sigh. Yes, she did what she’d needed to protect her brother. But at what cost to her soul?

It was clear to Iain he’d hurt Maisy in some way, but he wasn’t sure how. Unlike him, she’d known what this was going into it. She’d seemed like a level-headed woman. So why would she be insulted by the truth that they were merely together out of circumstance?

He guessed every young lass wished for a dashing hero to ask for her hand because he was smitten with love. But Iain was no hero. And he didn’t get smitten by anything except a clear, calm, morning on the ocean.

It was better Maisy realize there was no fairy tale here.

When dinner was cleared away, Jack went to his own room not far from theirs. The maid came into his quarters to help Maisy get ready for bed and he stepped out. Abigail left the room offering a quick bow and a knowing smile in his direction. No doubt, the maid assumed he and her mistress would be seeing to their wedding night activities this evening.

That was what he wanted everyone to think. It would not only protect his standing with the crew, but it would also protect Maisy. If the crew knew she was his prized wife, they would be less likely to tempt his ire by touching her.

When he stepped in, his quarters had been transformed. It was still his room, but the lamps had been turned down low and the room smelled of jasmine.

He didn’t know of a scent that made his blood rush like that of jasmine. It was as if the flower had been fashioned simply to entice a man to a woman.

But the woman in the room was lying on the far side of his bed with the blankets pulled up to her chin looking straight up at the ceiling as if waiting to be pounced on by a wild beast.

He let out a breath, hoping his cock understood nothing was about to happen. Absolutely nothing, because sharing a room with his wife meant he’d not even be able to sate his own needs.

He shook his head and moved to hang the hammock between the posts on the opposite side of the room. He’d told her he wouldn’t bother her and he’d meant it.

After putting out all the lights, he got his large body settled and then shifted a bit to find the most comfortable spot.

“I’m sorry to have taken your bed.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry over it,” he assured her.

Silence fell between them for a moment or two and then she spoke again.

“Will you tell me about the challenge?”

“I was to understand afterward, the women being wagered on were permitted to observe the men vying for their hand.”

“Well, yes. But when I heard the contest was so dangerous. Standing on the third story banister? Whyever would anyone risk such a thing?”

“Thirty-thousand pounds,” he said in response and regretted it instantly. This was what had hurt her. The fact that he’d only wanted the money, not her. But there was nothing for it, it was the truth. “And bragging rights.”

“One cannot brag or spend money when one is dead.” Her voice held that snappish tone he was coming to enjoy for whatever strange reason.

“Too right, wife. Before you think me a dullard or overly brave, I should inform you that there was no grave risk. We were fitted with rope harnesses to keep us from ruining Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s rugs.”

“Oh. I see.”

Was she disappointed no one had fallen to their deaths?

“Perhaps if I’d known that, I would have observed the contest after all.”

“You did indeed miss a grand performance. Not only did we have to balance on the banister, but we also had to hold a cup of tea without spilling it all.”

She laughed and his breath caught at the sound. It started as a low chuckle and then when it seemed she could contain her mirth no longer, it burst free into a clear, happy sound.

“Why do you find that amusing? It was not so easily done.”

“I can imagine. You holding a dainty cup of tea in your big hands while trying to balance.”