Tall, Dark... Collection

His mouth had a deliberately cruel twist to it as he raised his head to look down at her, his gaze hard and mocking as she lay limply in his arms. ‘Do you see, Jane, how true was my warning of the danger you put yourself in when you chose to travel alone in a gentleman’s carriage with him?’ he taunted scornfully, even as he lifted her bodily and placed her back on the seat opposite his own.

Her face had become very pale, her eyes wide with shock. ‘You—you kissed me only in order to teach me a lesson, Your Grace?’

Hawk steeled himself not to show how the hurt in her eyes and the trembling of her slightly swollen lips affected him. ‘Partly,’ he confirmed coldly. ‘But I also wished you to know, no matter what you may have been thinking to the contrary—’ his tone hardened icily ‘—that the Duke of Stourbridge has no need to use blackmail in order to seduce comely wenches fresh from the country into his bed. I have no need to bother with such persuasion when such women obviously fall into my bed all too willingly!’ he added with scathing scorn.

Jane gasped at the accusation even as she knew that the Duke only spoke the truth. She was fresh from the country, and she had—momentarily—been all too willing a recipient of his lovemaking.

‘That is what you thought I was about, was it not, Jane?’

If anything his voice had become even icier. At that moment he looked every inch the arrogantly self-assured Duke of Stourbridge of their first meeting—his eyes narrowed with ominous intent, those sculptured lips thinned to cruel mockery.

That his accusations had some merit caused Jane to straighten proudly, and she met his gaze unflinchingly, already knowing the Duke well enough to realise that he showed nothing but contempt for people who lacked the courage to stand up to his dictatorial arrogance.

‘I was not about to succumb to your bed, Your Grace.’

‘All evidence to the contrary, Jane!’

Her brows rose coolly. ‘I am not a liar, Your Grace.’

The Duke gave a mocking shake of his head. ‘Did no one tell you that self-deception is a form of lying, Jane?’

At that moment Jane’s fingers itched to wipe the arrogant smile of satisfaction from the sneeringly curved lips that only minutes ago had so capably devoured her own!

‘I would not advise it, Jane.’ The Duke’s voice had softened warningly as he obviously observed that instinct in the clenching of Jane’s hand. ‘You have already presented enough of an inconvenience to my peaceful existence without adding striking me to your list of offences!’

She was breathing hard in her agitation. ‘Might I remind Your Grace that it was your decision, not mine, that I accompany you to Gloucestershire!’

‘So it was.’ He nodded dourly. ‘A decision I have already come to regret, I do assure you!’

Jane bristled indignantly. ‘The remedy to the inconvenience of my company can be easily found,Your Grace.’

His mouth tightened. ‘If you are once again suggesting that I allow you continue on to London alone—’

‘I am.’

‘Then I advise you to put such a thought completely from your mind, Jane,’ Hawk continued frostily over her interruption. ‘The only people left in London during the summer are rakehells and dissolutes who would find themselves totally bored if removed to the country. Such men,’ he added hardly, ‘would see you as nothing more than an innocent tasty morsel to be quickly devoured and as speedily discarded!’

Jane’s breasts quickly rose and fell. ‘Do you speak from experience, Your Grace?’ There was challenge in her tone.

Hawk eyed her with chilling derision. ‘If I did, Jane, then you can be assured you would not now be sitting across this carriage from me with your innocence still intact!’

‘You are arrogant, sir!’

‘I am honest, Jane,’ he came back tersely, having no doubt whatsoever that Jane would not last a day in London without some well-practised reprobate—his brothers Sebastian and Lucian, for example!—trying to seduce her into his bed.

Jane dearly wanted to deny the Duke’s accusations. But how could she do so when she was aware of the way she still inwardly trembled from the effect of his kisses and the feel of his caressing hands against her breasts…?

That arrogant mouth twisted knowingly. ‘Nothing to add to that particular argument, Jane?’ he taunted. ‘In that case,’ he continued grimly, ‘before we reach Mulberry Hall I would have your promise that you will not make any attempt to go to London until I am free to accompany you there.’

Her eyes widened incredulously. ‘It is your intention to accompany me to London, Your Grace?’

‘It is,’ he confirmed impatiently. ‘I have several estate matters that require my attention for the next few days, but after that I should be available to take you to London. In other words, Jane, I will not hear of you even thinking of continuing your journey alone!’

Jane frowned. Had the Duke guessed? Could she have somehow given away thoughts of that being her intent?

‘I will have your promise, Jane!’ The Duke reached out to firmly grasp her wrist between strong fingers, his narrowed gaze intent upon her face.

Jane’s thoughts raced. If she made such a promise then she would have to keep to it. Had she not just assured him that she was not a liar? But it had never been her intention to remain in London, and the Duke of Stourbridge, albeit unknowingly, was now bringing her within a carriage ride of her real destination…

Would it still be lying to make him such a promise when London had never been her ultimate goal?

Possibly.

But not actually.

Pure semantics, Jane knew. But the Duke was really leaving her little choice in the matter.

Because it was not her intention for the Duke of Stourbridge to accompany her anywhere!

Her business in Somerset, her need to talk to Bessie, was completely personal to herself and certainly not in need of any witnesses. Least of all the aloofly superior Duke of Stourbridge!

She gave a cool inclination of her head. ‘I give you my promise, Your Grace.’

His gaze narrowed. ‘What do you promise, Jane?’

She gave a humourless smile at his obvious suspicion concerning her easy acquiescence. ‘I promise that I will not attempt to travel to London until you are able to accompany me there.’

Hawk’s gaze narrowed as he looked across at her searchingly. There was something about Jane’s promise that did not quite ring true.

He just had no idea what it was.

Yet.

Chapter Six

‘Before introducing me to Lady Arabella as her new companion, you might have first taken the trouble to confide that fact to me, Your Grace!’

Hawk couldn’t help but wonder why he was surprised at the interruption as he looked across to where the door to his library had been thrown back on its hinges. Jane Smith entered and strode imperiously across the room to stand before the wide desk behind which he sat.

Hawk had believed, when he’d excused himself from the ladies’ company a short time ago, leaving the two of them to enjoy their afternoon tea together, that it would allow the two women time in which to become better acquainted with each other. And at the same time, now that the introductions were over, allow him the opportunity of escaping to the relative sanctuary of his library!

Its walls lined with leather-bound volumes, two comfortable armchairs placed on either side of the fireplace, along with a decanter of brandy within his easy reach, the room was normally beneficial in that it afforded him a few hours’ solitude when he might deal with estate business.

Obviously no one had told Jane Smith that the Duke was never to be disturbed when ensconced in the library. Or, as was more likely to be the case, Jane had been given that information but had chosen to ignore it!

‘Do you have nothing to say in your defence, Your Grace?’ she demanded accusingly now, the colour high in her cheeks.

Hawk had plenty of things he might like to say on that subject and several others—but he doubted that any of them were suitable for Jane’s delicate ears!