She forced a smile, squared her shoulders, and declared, “You are absolutely correct, my lord, and so I shall turn about and go and find my mother now.”
She glanced to the wafting curtains framing the wide, open doors from which the sounds of the ball spilled into the garden. She was determined to get away from Drexel as quickly as possible.
It did not matter that he was handsome or that he had funds. He was not affable. In fact, he was the opposite, of that she was certain.
Whilst some ladies might chance their luck for a good coach and fine gowns, she was not about to cast her luck with him. She knew even her mother wouldn’t wish that. They were not so desperate yet.
She did not wish a life of suffering for herself, nor would Alexander.
Jack had standards still, even if the duke did not seem to think that she did.
But just as she was about to cross over into the light spilling onto the stones, the viscount darted toward her and grabbed her arm with his beringed hand. “Now, now, now, my dear, I know that your family is in a great deal of difficulty, and I can give you a great deal of relief.”
She tensed under his grip, the scent of tobacco and horses surrounding her as he towered over. She jerked back at the feel of his fine blue coat brushing her body. “Unhand me, sir. It’s most rude of you to touch me.”
“Is it?” he queried softly. Intimately.
“Yes,” she replied, swallowing back a wave of apprehension.
He licked his lips, his gaze softening. “Even if I should like you to be the viscountess?”
An unpleasant knot formed in her stomach, and she narrowed her eyes, hoping he would see she did not mirror his desire. “Even so, sir. Please take your hand off my person.”
Reluctantly, it seemed, he did so. “Forgive me, but I do admire your spirit, Lady Jacqueline. I have always noticed that you were different than the other young ladies. You have an eye for life that they simply do not.”
She frowned, disliking how he saw women. “I am not different than the other young ladies,” she said. “I have simply had different opportunities. If they had them, they might be exactly the same as I.”
“Possibly,” he said with a shrug. “But I doubt it.”
She lifted her chin, hoping to crush him with disdain. “Whatever you seem to think on the matter, sir, I have no wish to know further. Now, forgive me.”
She gave a quick curtsy and started past him. He grabbed her again, this time with more force. The feel of his fingers pressing into her upper arm was a shade too firm.
She looked at that hand on her arm and did all that she could not to shudder in revulsion.
Such an action would be most unwise. He was dangerous. She sensed it crackling under his perfect veneer.
“You know I could have you to wife tomorrow,” he whispered. “And all of your family’s troubles would be over.”
She knew that was true to a point, but if she gave in, a very different set of troubles would unfold. There were whispers oftonmarriages where violence was hidden behind gilded doors. And she was wise enough to know not to bargain with such a devil.
She lifted her gaze to his and said firmly, “Unhand me, sir. I have no wish to be near you. I will not be your wife.”
“That is your opinion today,” he said, holding firm. “We shall see how things progress when no one offers for you.” He smiled slowly. “They won’t, you know, Lady Jacqueline.”
“Why?” she demanded before she could stop herself.
That cold smile of his deepened. “Because the very things that I admire about you, society dislikes.”
She bit back a frown, because he wasn’t entirely mistaken. And hearing it from him was greatly upsetting.
Abruptly, he let go of her and gave her a mocking bow.
She did not wait a moment longer but darted across the stone balcony and rushed into the dimly lit corridor.
Jack sucked in quick breaths as she rushed through the shadows.
Her heart pounded wildly, despite her relief at escaping Drexel.