by Aileen Fish
“It seems there is a shortage of gentleman as well.” She picked his breeches up off the floor and threw them at him.
She froze when her door swung open, her attention centered on the entrance. The blood drained from her face as Henry and Claudia entered her room.
“Explain yourself,” Henry’s voice boomed. He came to stand before Keery.
Claudia remained behind her husband, eyes wide.
Jane’s head spun with all the excuses she could make, but no words came. Nothing she could say would make any difference. She stood in the middle of her room in nothing more than a chemise with a more than half-naked man. Hells bells. She was ruined.
Claudia moved to the door and pushed it shut. “Do lower your voice, Henry. Is it your wish to see Jane ruined?”
“Keery has already seen to that.” His attention remained riveted on Lord Keery. “You took advantage of my sister. Have you nothing to say?”
Jane found her strength and rushed forward. “It is not as it appears. This is a mistake.”
“Silence.” Henry bit out from between clenched teeth, his eyes burning with anger.
Jane pressed her lips together but stood her ground.
Henry smacked Keery’s cheek with his glove. “I challenge you to a dual.”
Keery leaned casually against the nearby dressing table. “There is no need, Shillington. I will marry her.”
Jane feared she might swoon. Marry her? An hour ago she would have enjoyed the prospect. Now the idea terrified her. She fought through the fog and peered at Lord Keery. “I will not marry the scoundrel.”
Henry shifted his focus to her. “You forfeited any say in the matter the moment he entered your chamber.”
Keery shook out his wrinkled breeches. “I will procure a special license right away.” He pulled them on, tucked in his linen shirt, and secured them. “Just as soon as I find all my clothing.”
How could he be so casual? His nonchalance further enraged Jane. He no more wanted to be wed to her than she did to him. The rogue clearly detested her. Furthermore, he possessed the manners of a wild boar. She went about the room collecting his garments, then pushed them against his chest. “Do not bother. I refuse to marry you, regardless of what my brother demands.”
Even as the words left her mouth she knew they were untrue. She could not refuse his offer. To do so would bring shame on her entire family.
Henry took hold of her arm and gave a gentle shake. “That is quite enough, Jane. You will marry Keery. Not another word from you unless it is ‘I do.’ ”
Keery flashed a toe-curling, rakish grin. “It seems you do not have a choice in the matter, sweetheart.” He headed for the door.
Did he truly intend to leave her room in such a state of undress? Any number of people could see him. Her heart pounded. “What are doing? You cannot go out there as you are.”
“My state makes no difference. You are already compromised.” He opened the door, then stepped into the hall before slamming the wood panel behind him.
About Amanda Mariel
Bestselling, Amazon All Star author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.
Amanda lives along the Lake Huron shoreline in northern Michigan with her husband and two kids. She holds a Master of Liberal Arts Degree with a concentration in literature and has a long-standing love affair with sugary junk food.
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