Page 41 of After the Abduction

It simply wasn’t fair. Of all the men in England, why must the one who made her heart race and her bones melt be the same untrustworthy scoundrel who’d nearly ruined her life?

“Juliet, I need a word with you.” Griff glanced at Sebastian. “In private.”

Panic rose in her chest. If Griff meant to question her about Sebastian, what on earth could she tell him?

Of course, his infernal lordship didn’t look the least worried. “Certainly. I have work to do in my study anyway. I’ll see you both at dinner.”

Without a backward glance, he stalked out, leaving her shaken. Devious wretch! She was glad he was gone. Yes, delighted.

If only the room didn’t seem so confining and dull with him out of it.

“I don’t like that fellow,” Griff grumbled. “He’s too courtly with the ladies. I suspect he has more of his father in him than he lets on. I don’t trust him.”

“Neither do I.”

He shot her a speculative look. “Good. Just bear that in mind and stay away from him. That should keep you safe.”

From Sebastian? Impossible. When he kissed her, he annihilated her will. Or else she would never have ended up with his palm caressing her breast…

Oh no, she would not dwell on that shameful memory.

“Anyway,” Griff went on, “that’s not what I want to talk to you about.” He jerked his thumb toward the ceiling. “Rosalind has locked herself in our bedchamber. She won’t let me near her. She’s so angry about…well, things. What I did earlier.”

He speared his fingers through his hair in utter distraction. “I was hoping you could talk to her, make her understand that she shouldn’t follow the prescriptions of that bloody quack. You know something about remedies. You might convince her where I only seem to infuriate her.”

His request startled her. She couldn’t believe he’d noticed her knowledge of medicines, paltry as it was. Besides, the last person Rosalind was likely to listen to was her baby sister. “I’m not sure if I—”

“Please, I don’t know what else to do. I worry that she’ll hurt herself or…” His voice cracked. “Juliet, I don’t want to lose her.”

The poor man looked so distraught. “Oh, Griff, you won’t,” she assured him. “I’ll admit that these quack remedies sound nasty, but I doubt they’ll do more than give her a bellyache. I don’t think they’re fatal.”

“I didn’t mean—” He halted to drag in a heavy breath. “Never mind. I’d just feel better if someone were to make her see reason. Will you try?”

She managed a smile. “Of course. I’ll do my best.”

The relief on his face was palpable. “You’ll have to convince her to unlock the door first.”

Goodness gracious, Rosalind really was angry, wasn’t she? And of course, Griff was too proud to ask their host or the housekeeper for the key to his own bedchamber.

“Very well. But I may be a while.”

He nodded tersely.

His anxious expression lingered with her as she left the room, headed for the staircase. Poor, misguided Griff. He had a hard battle before him if he thought to bully Rosalind into anything, no matter how much he meant it for her own good. He could forbid her to use that potion all he liked—Rosalind would do exactly as she pleased.

Which is why it would be better to find Rosalind a substitute, one less harmful. Sebastian’s proposal earlier had merit. What harm could some old wise woman’s herbs do? And even if the remedies failed, the mere hope of success might calm Rosalind.

Griff had asked for Juliet’s intervention, after all, so it wasn’t as if she were really interfering, was it?

On the other hand, taking Sebastian up on his offer would mean spending more time with him. More time prodding him into confessing. More time fighting her foolish feelings for him. Dance with the God of Fire, and you were sure to get burned. Yet dancing with him seemed her only way to uncover his secrets.

At least Rosalind’s presence would prevent him from trying any more of his sly tricks. She only got into trouble when she was alone with him, so she’d simply avoid that. And if it should happen despite her best efforts, she’d hold firm. None of that “intimate” kissing or touching, no matter how deliciously it made her stomach flip over.

By the time she’d reached the bedchamber Rosalind shared with Griff, she’d decided to tell Rosalind about Sebastian’s offer. Let Rosalind make the choice. Then Juliet would help if she could, but without being alone with Sebastian.

She rapped on the door.

“Curse you, Griff, go away!” came a muffled cry from inside the room.