Luc.
Relief flooded through her, and she revelled in its solidity never having felt the need of his protection more. Her legs threatened to buckle beneath her as, belatedly, her body reacted to the fright she’d received, and she all but collapsed against him. He threw her none too gently into his waiting carriage, where she fell gratefully into the enveloping comfort and blessed safety of the velvet seat. The carriage moved off immediately; only then did he release his hold on her.
“What in damnation’s name do you think you were doing?”
His face was a rigid mask. Clarissa had never seen him so angry, and she quailed beneath his basilisk glare. But in spite of her earlier fear, she wasn’t about to swoon gratefully at his feet like some pathetic wilting violet. She sat straighter and countered his hostile expression with a haughty one of her own, inverting her chin for good measure.
“Gaining the information we require to disprove Salik’s claims upon my lands, of course,” she said.
“Really?” The one word was laced with enough acerbity to cut through her calm. For the first time she was almost afraid of him, but was damned if she’d show it.
“Yes, really.”
“And you were successful?”
“Actually, I was. Salik was telling his friends that he shortly expects to inherit a valuable estate from his late father.”
“Was he, indeed?” Luc elevated a brow, somehow managing to load the gesture with a wealth of sarcasm.
“Yes, and if you’d only listened to my suggestions you could have…”
He cut her off in mid-rant. “And this information you went to such lengths to obtain, is that something that we didn’t know before? Something worth risking your person for, your reputation, your — your — ” Luc’s voice wavered and Clarissa hastily interceded, anxious to wrest control of the situation.
“Well, no, but — ” She hesitated, only now realising that she’d learned nothing of consequence.
“But what?”
The controlled fury lacing through his tone caused Clarissa to lose her temper. “Damn it, Luc, I can’t just sit back and wait for you to decide what’s best to be done.” She glowered at him, her hostility and resentment rising in direct proportion to her temper. “They are my lands, it’s my future in the balance, but you seem to have lost sight of that and all you care about is controlling me.” She scowled, daring him to contradict her, which he lost no time in doing.
“I’ve lost sight of nothing other than the fact that you must learn to do as you’re told.”
“Why?” She threw the question at him like a challenge. “Who appointed you as my keeper? What gives you the right to be so arrogant, condescending, patronising, autocratic — ” She paused for breath and, gaining a second wind, continued hurling abuse at him. “Dictatorial, arrogant — ”
“You already said that,” he said, sounding amused now, his anger appearing to dissipate quickly as her own temper bubbled out of control.
“Well, it needed to be said twice. I can’t just sit idly by whilst these people attempt to defraud me. You can’t ask it of me, Luc.”
He moved across and sat beside her. “Clarissa, you will not be defrauded. I won’t allow it to happen.”
“I know you mean what you say, but how can you be so sure?”
“I’m entirely sure. You must trust me, if you possibly can, and take my word for it. If you wish to help, you only have to do as I ask and remain patient. What you mustn’t do is put yourself in dangerous situations, such as the one I just rescued you from. If you had been recognised you’d have ruined everything. What would have happened to you then doesn’t bear thinking about.”
“I was quite safe.”
“Oh, yes, I was able to ascertain that much for myself.”
“Oh!” She whirled away from him, attempting to distance herself from the smouldering concern in his black eyes. “It’s impossible to try and reason with you.”
Luc mentally relived the events of the evening. For once Felix hadn’t been available company; he’d succeeded in achieving that which everyone had declared to be impossible, and persuaded Angelica Priestley, the beautiful new Marchioness Towbridge, to become his mistress. Everyone had been of one mind: it was too soon for her to stray from her much older husband. She was still enjoying the trappings of her new title and wealth too much to put it at risk. But Felix, with his lazy, compelling charm, had proven them all wrong and had won a tidy sum on the book at White’s into the bargain. Luc knew Felix was with his new paramour for the first time this evening, and was astonished to discover that he didn’t envy him.
At a loose end, he’d drifted into Brooks’ in search of congenial male company and a good game of cards. But, for some reason, he’d been uneasy and fared badly as a consequence. Admitting defeat, he went home far earlier than normal and found his household in uproar. Agnes had found cause to return to Clarissa’s chamber after she retired, only to find it vacant, the sheets missing and no explanation as to Clarissa’s whereabouts.
It didn’t take Luc two seconds to guess where she’d gone, and his blood ran cold at the very thought of what could, even then, be happening to her. He reached the tavern in record time and, careless of whether or not he was recognised by Twining and Salik, made to walk straight in, only to find Clarissa backing out of the door, pursued by a bull of a man who was dripping with ale and had blood flowing from a cut beneath his eye.
“I was safe!” Clarissa insisted indignantly, bringing Luc back to the present. “I had my disguise.”
“And very effective it was too.”
“It wasn’t my fault that my muffler fell away.”
“And that man who was tormenting you. I suppose he would have just let you be, had you asked him politely enough?”
“I dealt with him.”
“By throwing your ale at him?”
“And the tankard!” Luc’s lips twitched. “And besides, I would have managed to get out of the tavern, even without your intervention.”
“And how did you plan to get home? Ladies can’t just walk about unaccompanied, in case you didn’t know it.”
“Ah, but I am not a lady, remember?” She indicated her clothing.
“Ah yes, of course.” Luc couldn’t prevent himself from smiling. “Clarissa, even that greatcoat is not sufficient to hide a figure such as yours.”
“Ah-hah!” She flashed a triumphant smile. “I thought of that and padded myself out.”
“And your padding fooled that oaf in the tavern?”
“That was only because my muffler slipped.” She tossed her head, sending what little hair that remained beneath her hat cascading across her shoulders. “Anyway, how did you find me?”
“Agnes discovered you were missing.”
“And sent for you, I suppose. I’m sorry to have disturbed your evening. Doubtless Mrs. Stokes will be furious.”
“I wasn’t with Mrs. Stokes.”
“Humph! I don’t care if you were.”
“I repeat,” he said slowly, enunciating every word with slow deliberation, as though speaking to a simpleton. “I was not with Emily Stokes. Besides, where I was is not the issue. Your conduct this evening, however, is. Let’s see just how effective your so called padding is, shall we?”
Without waiting for a response he pushed his old coat off her shoulders and ignoring her protests, unbuttoned her shirt. The sheeting had slipped to her waist and it was the work of a moment to remove it. “We can’t have you returning home like that,” he said.
He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her, hard and passionately, uncaring of her feeble protests. Luc was rigid with longing for her. He’d never wanted anyone as much as he wanted this infuriating, provoking, and monstrously disrespectful female. The combination of the enforced waiting and her delightfully evasive, independent spirit was driving him demented. Her thin breeches revealed her charms far too graphically, leaving him agonisingly uncomfortable and unsure how far to push his advantage.
�
��Clarissa,” he whispered. “You must promise me never to take action again that puts you in danger. You must promise me as well to have nothing to do with Twining and Salik unless I’m present. If you behave again as you did this evening then I’ll put you across my knee and paddle you so hard you’ll be unable to sit down for a week.”
She gasped. “You wouldn’t dare!”
He responded with a somnolent smile. “My advice to you, m’dear, is that you don’t put yourself in a position where you’re likely to find out.”
“I’m no responsibility of yours.”
“Oh, but you are. And what’s more, you’re going to demonstrate to me just how much you regret your impulsive actions this evening.”
“I will do no such thing! Now let me be. I fear I’m about to swoon.”
Luc roared with laughter and pulled her more securely onto his knee. “You’re not going to swoon, Clarissa, you’re not the type.” He grinned at her, feigning concern. “But just in case, I’d better keep a firmer hold on you.”
Chapter Fourteen
Clarissa slept soundly for the first time since learning of Salik’s existence, dreaming of Luc and the disturbing manner in which he’d become the central focus of her life, quite without her being aware that it was happening. Only when she was alone at night could she admit to the extent of her love for this irritatingly charming dictator. The litany of warnings against such feelings vibrating inside her head went unheeded. She was powerless to fight the attraction.
Her mind turned to the scene in the carriage the evening before and to his unmitigated anger at her rash behaviour. She conceded that he had a point, but even so, his reaction had been extreme. Recalling his threat to beat her, fury at such arrogance gave way to a shiver of anticipation that curled its way slowly down her spine. She fanned herself, feeling suddenly hot all over, unsure whether she was relieved or angered when she concluded that he couldn’t possibly have been serious.
A commotion in the hall jolted Clarissa from her reverie. The door to the morning room was then flung open, causing Mulligan to look up and growl.
“In here, is she?”
Salik stood on the threshold, hat still rudely on his head and a steely glint of determination in his eye. The butler and Simms hovered behind him, unused to such crass behaviour, clearly wondering how best to deal with it. They both turned their eyes toward Clarissa, awaiting her orders.
“You can’t go in there, sir,” Bentley said.
“Rubbish! I require a private word with Lady Hartley. Call these dogs off would you, Lady Hartley.”
“It’s all right, Bentley, Simms,” Clarissa said in a calm tone that belied her anxiety. “I’ll receive Mr. Salik.”
Clarissa, observing the determined set to his features, thought it best to let him say whatever it was he’d come to say and get it over with. Besides, although Aunt Marcia was making calls and Luc had gone somewhere with Felix, she still had a houseful of servants and Mulligan for protection.
“Very good, my lady.” Bentley inclined his head. “If your ladyship is quite certain. Just ring if you require assistance.”
Clarissa kept a restraining hand on Mulligan’s collar. Growling, hackles raised, he clearly didn’t care for Mr. Salik at all, which only heightened her anxiety.
“God, Clarissa, call that beast off will you?” Salik flung aside his hat and seated himself, as far away from Mulligan as he could, without being invited to do so. “Dreadful creature.”
“You don’t care for dogs, Mr. Salik?” she asked, thinking it best to try and engage him in polite conversation whilst she decided what best to do about him.
“I’ve never had much to do with them.”
“Well, they can be charming companions once you get used to them. They are to be found in the houses of most of the gentry.”
“Really.” Some of the rigidity left his posture. “Perhaps I shall get to discover that for myself one day.”
Ah, so he aspired to a position within the ton, did he? It would never happen, of course, but Clarissa was interested to see that there was a softer side to his personality. He looked so much like his father when he adopted that particular expression that she almost warmed to him, until she remembered that he had an ulterior motive for seeking to charm her.
“But we digress. What can I do for you, sir?” she asked, displaying a calmness that belied her inner turmoil.
“I wanted a private word with you, away from our respective protectors, that’s all,” he said, looking round the room, avarice in his expression. “I know my father loved you and that you’re disappointed not to inherit his property, but I have no interest in farming, in sheep or, indeed, in the north of England.” He shuddered. Clarissa was gratified to notice that he was still keeping a weather eye on Mulligan. “Cold, draughty place, from what I’ve been told.”
Clarissa raised a brow. “How disappointed your father would have been to hear you say so. He adored his estate.”
“Not as much as he adored Egypt and my mother.” His oily smile gave way to a devious smirk. He stood up and moved as close to her as the still growling Mulligan would permit. “I don’t want to be bad friends with you, Clarissa. Twining has told me how much the land means to you and how hard you’ve worked to make a success of it. I want you to know that there will always be a place for you there.” He walked behind her chair, out of range of Mulligan, and placed his hands on her shoulders.
Clarissa gasped. “Unhand me at once, Mr. Salik!”
“Oh, come, my dear, there’s no need to take that tone. I have no doubt that without interference from others we’ll soon come to a mutually beneficial understanding?”
“I doubt that very much.”
His fingers were still on her shoulders, but they tensed at her obvious disinclination to look upon him as an equal. Clarissa felt the first stirrings of alarm. She couldn’t reach the bell from her seat, so her only alternative was to release Mulligan. He would fly at her assailant in defence of her, but Clarissa was concerned that Salik might kick out at the dog. What if he connected with the hound’s bad leg? No, she couldn’t risk that, not after all the suffering that poor Mulligan had already endured. Her only alternative was to try to talk Salik around. They were, after all, in Luc’s house. Salik couldn’t know that Luc wasn’t at home. In any case, anyone might enter the room at any time.
“Mr. Salik, please resume your seat and we will discuss this matter like responsible adults.”
But Salik didn’t move, except to allow his hands to drift a little lower. “My dear lady, what is there to discuss? I will soon have what you want, whereas you,” he continued, his insolent tone causing her to burn with anger, “certainly already have any number of things that would satisfy me.”
“Mr. Salik, please, if you don’t — ”
The door flew open, and Luc’s imposing form filled the aperture, his expression thunderous. Clarissa had never been more pleased to see anyone in her entire life.
“What are you doing in my house, Salik?”
Luc’s appearance would have been sufficient to intimidate most men, but Salik was unmoved by his towering rage. He offered Luc a smug smile and was slow to move away from Clarissa.
“Merely having a private conversation with my step-mother. Didn’t realise that I required your permission. Lady Hartley and I were about to reach a mutually beneficial understanding with regard to her future.”
“I think not, Salik. Now get out before I throw you out. I’ve issued instructions that you’re never to be admitted to this house in future. Not,” he added quietly but in an infinitely more threatening tone, “that you should have been granted entry on this occasion.”
“By all means.” Salik picked up his hat, bowed to Clarissa and, giving Mulligan a wide berth, left the room.
Luc turned toward Clarissa as soon as Bentley closed the door behind Salik. “What on earth persuaded you to receive him?”
“He barged in without warning, Luc, and I didn’t know what else to
do.”
“Why did you not instruct Bentley to throw him out? What were you thinking?”
“He appeared so determined that I thought if I saw him he’d go away more quickly.” She spread her hands, surprised to see that they were shaking. “There was so little time to decide.”
Luc regarded her through eyes that were reduced to mere slits. “And I suppose, in the excitement, you forgot the substance of our conversation in the carriage last evening?” He moved to stand beside her, his face red with anger.
“Don’t be ridiculous Luc, you can’t… ahhh!”
Before she knew what was happening she was across his knee and he applied his hand to her derrière with considerable force.
“Clarissa,” he said, his breath coming in short gasps, “what will it take to make you do as you’re told?”
“I’m sorry!”
Luc must have realised that she was close to tears — tears of humiliation. Perhaps that’s why he righted her on his lap, his expression soft now and full of concern.
“I’m sorry too,” he said. “My intention was to make you acknowledge the danger which you placed yourself in, not humiliate and demean you.”
“Yes, but — ”
“No good can come out of your receiving Salik alone.”
“How did you know he was here?”
“Simms knew where I was and sent word. It’s the only thing he did right this morning, and might just save him his position. As for Bentley, well, we’ll have to see.”
“Don’t blame them, Luc. I said I would receive Mr. Salik.”
“Well you shouldn’t have been put in that position, and they should have known better than to listen to you anyway.”
Clarissa offered him a shaky smile. “It’s all right. I was in control.”
In her anxiety for Simms and Bentley, she conveniently forgot just how scared she’d felt and attempted to make light of the situation. But there was no denying to herself that there was something about Salik, a dark, vindictive, and bitter side to his character, which made her truly afraid of him.
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