Page 99 of After the Abduction

Strange, but Griff didn’t seem grateful at all. Indeed, he looked as if he wanted to tear Sebastian’s head off and mount it on Lady Feathering’s wall.

“I was happy to do it,” Sebastian said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Lady Juliet has expressed an urgent desire for punch. Lady Rosalind, would you like some as well?”

Rosalind smiled broadly. “I’d love some punch, Lord Templemore.”

With a bow, Sebastian left to fetch it. As soon as he was out of earshot, Griff muttered, “I still want to know what he said to Montfort. This is all very questionable.”

“Balderdash.” Rosalind winked at Juliet. “I think my shy sister has finally found a suitor who suits her.” She smiled at her little play on words.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t be so hasty to leap to conclusions,” Griff bit out.

Unable to bear her family one minute more, Juliet murmured, “Excuse me,” and hurried after Sebastian.

She couldn’t believe he’d threatened Montfort on her behalf. It gave her hope. Surely if he would risk that sort of trouble…She halted him as he passed some French doors leading out to a balcony. Tugging him outside, she faced him in the cold night air.

“Thank you for speaking to Montfort,” she whispered. “Even if it doesn’t work—”

“It will work. You needn’t worry about that.” His eyes searched her face. He stepped nearer, and she suddenly realized they were quite alone on the balcony. He took her hand. “I don’t suppose this changes your mind about becoming engaged to me.”

She glanced away, torn. She should have known he’d try to sway her at every opportunity. “It’s not that I’m not grateful—” she began.

“If I wanted gratitude, I’d buy a puppy,” he growled. “I don’t want gratitude from you, especially when it’s misplaced. As Knighton pointed out, I’m responsible for this nightmare, and I do take care of my responsibilities.”

Him and his infernal responsibilities. Her gaze swung back to him. “Not all of them. You still refuse to do the one thing I’ve asked of you.”

A flush of anger darkened his cheeks. “Yes, I refuse to let you twist me around your little finger. I don’t take kindly to manipulation, Juliet.”

She bristled. “Nor do I. And if you think I’ll sit and twiddle my thumbs like some poor Penelope while vainly waiting for you to do this properly, you can think again. I intend to move about society as before until you come to your senses.” Snatching her hand away, she turned to go back inside.

He caught her arm, drawing her close enough that she could feel his breath against her cheek. “You do that. Dance with your bumbling idiots. Flirt with a lot of scoundrels who’ve shown themselves eager to believe the worst of you. But I promise you, sweeting, this time I won’t bury myself in Shropshire while you do it. I intend to marry you with all due haste, and you know how persuasive I can be when I set my mind to something.”

Oh yes, he was a master of persuasion. The very thought of what he might do made her shiver.

He slid his arm about her waist as he brought his mouth to her ear. “I happen to know all your weaknesses. I know your fondness for ‘intimate’ kisses and chess and pedestals. I know how to make you burn. And I shall exploit my knowledge to the fullest. By the end of the week, you’ll be begging me to marry you, make no mistake.”

“Y-you seem very sure of yourself for a man who hasn’t had much experience with women,” she said, trying for icy disdain and managing only tepid uncertainty.

As if scenting triumph already, he nuzzled her hair aside to plant a hot, openmouthed kiss to her ear. “I don’t need experience with women. I only need experience with you. Fortunately, I have all that I require. And I’ll win you on my own terms, too. That is my solemn vow.”

Then brushing a kiss to her hair, he was gone.

She stood on the balcony shaking with both anger and desire for long moments after. So the impudent scoundrel thought to change her resolve with some kisses and caresses, did he?

She’d just see about that. Yes, she wanted the scoundrel for her husband, and she wanted him badly. But they could have no kind of marriage at all if he expected her always to bow to his dictates.

It was high time Sebastian Blakely learned a thing or two about women. She knew how to make him burn, too. By the end of the week, she’d have him agreeing to do whatever he must to secure her. And that was her solemn vow.

Chapter 22

Fate finds for every man

His share of misery.

Euripides’ Helen, worked on a handkerchief by Juliet on her way from Shropshire to London

For five days, Sebastian watched as Juliet made her brilliant return into the good graces of society, aided by Montfort’s reluctant reversal. But watch was all Sebastian could do, thanks to her stubborn determination to make his life hell.

It was hard to make her burn when she wouldn’t let him within a foot of her. Now that the gossip was fading, her popularity was rising. Not that he regretted his part in ending the rumors, but he did hate having to join all the others trying to get her attention.