"Ah, but you wouldn't know me now if you could help it."
What could she say to that? Hadn't she dismissed him as soon as the danger had passed?
He leaned forward. "Don't feel bad. Over the years, I've enjoyed some kissing myself. And such."
Marissa nodded and rose to leave, but somehow his words didn't make her feel better. In fact, she felt much, much worse.
Chapter 15
Jude Bertrand was in a foul mood. Bad enough that he was facing Peter White again. But he was also facing an uncomfortable truth.
He'd been perfectly confident in his seduction of Marissa York two weeks before. Yes, she was wild and wicked, but he'd been foolish enough to think he could turn her head with pleasure. He'd thought to show her exactly what that wickedness could lead to.
What an arrogant fool he'd been. Apparently she knew quite well that wickedness could be grand fun.
Jude suddenly found that her affection for untried boys was no longer amusing. He'd seen Fitzwilliam Hess a time or two. In addition to being an experienced lover, the man was exactly the type who caught Marissa's eye. Lean and pretty and polished to a goddamned glow. And this Charles fellow... Jude wanted to get a look at him as well, though there was no good reason to meet him, aside from torturing himself.
When Peter White finally slipped into the Brashearses' drawing room, Jude bared his teeth in a
predatory smile. His smile widened when he saw that the cad's eye was still discolored and he was twisting his hands together in nervousness. Jude was just thinking about punching him in the nose when Aidan interfered by grabbing White's cravat and lifting him off the ground.
"What. . . ?" he croaked, grabbing for Aidan's wrist.
"Are you having trouble keeping your mouth shut?" Aidan growled.
"No! I... please ..." When his face turned purple, Aidan set him down and gave him a shove for good measure. White stumbled back and caught himself on the wall.
"You'd better start explaining," Aidan said over White's coughing. "If I'm satisfied with your honesty, perhaps you'll escape this room with your life."
"I ... I came to see her, I admit it. We met, but nothing happened! " His bulging eyes slid to Jude. "He was there!"
Aidan's voice offered no quarter. "The letter."
"W-which letter? I sent them. I did, but I was only trying to talk her into marriage. It was an entirely honorable communication, I swear on my life."
Jude finally spoke. "What of the last one?"
"What of it? She met me, and I had my say. I'm done with her. She's a faithless—" His gaze slid around the room, and Peter White closed his mouth with a snap.
The other men exchanged glances. Edward stepped forward to stand intimidating close to White. "Who else did you tell?"
"No one! Christ, do you think I'm mad? Even if I left my name out of it, everyone would know I was part of the story. I'd be struck from half the guest lists of the ton."
"But you threatened her." Edward leaned closer. "That night. You threatened to tell tales, and to and behold ..."
"I didn't do it! Please. I admit to seducing her, but I wasn't out to ruin her. I loved her, and I thought she was only being high-spirited. This wasn't my plan!" He jerked his hand to indicate the room and the men and the situation.
"I warned you that if I heard one word, I'd hold you responsible."
"I promise, if someone is talking it isn't me."
"What of your hosts?"
"I didn't say anything."
When Edward glanced over his shoulder, Jude jerked his head toward the far corner of the room and then joined Edward there.
"I think he's telling the truth," Jude muttered.