He took another step toward her, his hard frame eating up the distance between them. “You shall have to do exactly what I say. Because, Jack…” With their significant differences in height, he tilted his head down as he looked upon her. Causing his dark hair to dance against his hard cheek. “I can see there will be very few men who will suit you.”
The insult stung, and she took a bold step forward, then propped her hands on her hips. “If you try to marry me to a fox murderer, I shall have to dig a hole and put you in it.”
His lips curled ever so slowly. A terrifyingly delicious movement which did the most ridiculous things to her insides.
That smile…was a veritable caress. No wonder he was widely adored.
“I’m glad to hear you have significant standards,” he all but whispered at their closeness. “Too many ladies are only interested in coin. I understand that, but it can prove dangerous.”
“I care about coin,” she reminded him. She licked her lips. “To take care of my family. But I would really prefer not to be miserable for the rest of my life.”
“I admire you for your loyalty to your family, Jack, but we shall not sacrifice your happiness for them.”
She winced. “We already have.”
“How?” he prompted.
She tilted her head, meeting his gaze. “If you must know my hopes and dreams, I’d planned on being an eccentric old maid, traveling throughout Europe for the rest of my life, living on a small pension that my Aunt Ermentrude left me upon her death. All I wished to do was take piano lessons from masters and play. But given the events of the last year? That shall no longer do.”
“I’m sorry, Jack,” he said gently, honestly. “I’m sorry your dreams have gone awry.”
Tears stung her eyes at what seemed to be genuine sympathy. She blinked furiously, lest one slip free from its moorings and travel down her cheek. “I appreciate your aid,” she said through gritted teeth, as she willed her own disappointment at her new future to abate.
“Noted,” he replied, lifting his strong hand and gently tucking a wild lock of her hair behind her ear. “Now, let’s go about finding out what it is that pleases you.”
Chapter Two
James Henry Michael Edward Haven, Duke of Stone, took in Lady Jacqueline Peabody with indescribable admiration and unquestionable frustration.
How could one not admire her boldness? Her determination to better her family? And to not accept a little lot in a life that could be terribly short.
Truthfully, long ago, he’d understood the strange challenges that this world presented for women. He couldn’t bring himself to be offended, as so many of his gender seemed to be, by the fact that most women saw a man of his position as a step in a ladder toward a better future.
Though he also did not desire to be a knot in a lady’s garter, he did like helping anyone who needed his aid.
After all, this life was full of trials, and if he could do a bit of good here and there, how could he not be heartened?
While he did enjoy the company of ladies, he did not permit them in his rooms meant to provide a moment’s respite from the demands of society.
He was happy to be available, pleasant, affable, gregarious—but not inhisbedchamber. He had other locations for amorous encounters.
So, the very fact that Jack had succeeded where all others had failed, by simply standing before him in his chamber, was most odd.
He liked the way she’d swaggered forward as if she had every right to confront him. It was refreshing, for it was clear she was not there for seduction. In fact, there’d been a moment he’d been certain she’d find the nearest pen knife and skewer him with it.
It had been quite a revelation, her seeming imperviousness to his charm.
Usually, ladies fluttered at him. The batting of lashes, waving of fans, and heaving of bosoms was commonplace to him. So commonplace that, instead of fighting with women who pursued him, he did his best to listen to them and see what exactly they needed.
This reaction was a direct response to the absolute chaos of his childhood and the way that his mother and father had behaved with each other. He hated the fact that he was driven by events that had occurred so long ago, but there it was.
Arguing against it was the height of foolishness, and he was the opposite of a fool.
Or so he’d always assumed.
Toe-to-toe with Jack, now, he was no longer certain.
Surely this odd feeling was just his desire to help her.