Page 152 of Kathryn

Katie heard an answering voice—low and masculine—right before a dull thud, which was immediately followed by the sound of branches snapping and something being dragged.

“Stay here, Kathryn.” Dulverton held her chin until she nodded. He released her and they both turned as Mr. Court emerged from the gloom, effortlessly dragging Jasper by one foot.

Katie had never thought Court an especially large man—certainly not when compared to her husband—but he was obviously wiry and strong. “I caught him trying to reach his carriage,” he said, shoving his normally impeccable hair off his brow with the hand not gripping Jasper’s boot. His bland features twisted into a scowl. “His minion was nowhere in sight. Shall I go after him, Your Grace?”

“Thank you, Court. That won’t be necessary,” Dulverton said when the valet yanked Jasper the last few feet and then dropped his leg, leaving him belly up in front of the duke.

Jasper whimpered and began to push himself up. Dulverton put his huge, booted foot in the middle of the other man’s chest. “You struck my wife.”

Even ten feet away Katie shivered at the frost in her husband’s voice.

“I—I—she incited me,” Jasper said in a choked voice.

Dulverton struck like a serpent, grabbing Jasper by the front of his coat, and yanking him to his feet in a move that demonstrated his massive strength. Even though Jasper was not as husky as her husband, he was still a tall, well-proportioned man.

“It is unfair to beat on those who are weaker, but that did not stop you from hitting my wife, so—” Dulverton backhanded Jasper so hard it was a wonder his head did not fly off his neck.

Katie gasped and then winced at the pain in her cheek, lifting a hand to hold the swollen, pulsing flesh, as if that would somehow ease the pain.

Dulverton looked up at the sound, his murderous expression kindling when he noticed she was cupping her cheek.

Jasper was just lifting his head when the duke hit him again.

And again.

And again.

“Dulverton!” she cried.

Her husband stopped in mid-swing and turned to her, Jasper dangling from his other hand like a ragdoll. Katie recoiled at the naked rage on his face. Never had she seen so much anger—on his face or anyone else’s—and it sent an icy shiver down her spine, even though it was not aimed in her direction.

“What?” he growled when she did not speak.

“You—you might kill him.”

His blond brows drew down sharply. “You care for this piece of filth?”

“No! Of course I don’t. But I care for you—and I do not wish to flee England and live on the Continent. I—I like it here at Briarly.” She paused and added, “With you.”

He stared at her for what felt like years but could only have been a few seconds. And without speaking, he turned back to Jasper, whose body was limp, his head lolling. “You threatened to go to the newspapers to discredit and shame my wife?”

Katie’s jaw dropped. How did he know that?

When Jasper only moaned, the duke shook him like a terrier shaking a rat. “Answer me, you piece of dog refuse.”

“Yeth! Yeth! Pleath, thtop!” Jasper lisped, as though he was missing a tooth.

“Yes, what?”

“Yeth, I threatened her,” Jasper whined. “But I wathen’t going to do it,” he moaned. “I thwear.”

“You are a man without any honor. Why should I take your word?”

“I—I thwear on my daughter.”

Dulverton’s eyes narrowed.

“I thwear on my life,” Jasper amended.