“Did you think that night was the first time we met? I would be hurt, but my feelings are not so delicate. And I have always known that you would find your way back to me.” Her eyes glittered hungrily, and he took a step back without thinking. “After all, we belong together, you and I.”
“We do not. I do not want you.” Blake shook his head.
“That is not what you said at their engagement ball.” She stood up, her hips swaying as she moved towards him. “And here, no one will interrupt us.”
“This is wrong,” he said as she closed the distance between them, and he gently pushed her away.
I will not harm her. She is still a woman, after all.
“Has that little wallflower rubbed off on you so much? Has that silly, little girl turned my handsome Duke into some prudish man who is too afraid to go after what he wants.” Her words stoked Blake’s anger.
He growled at her, his fists clenched tight. “Do not speak of Jane that way. You do not know the first thing about her.”
“I see I have touched a nerve. Has she teased you so badly that you have become undone? Or perhaps she gave into temptation.” Lady Waterburry traced his body with her eyes, and Blake glowered at her.
“I do not care for your implication. Jane would never do such a thing,” he hissed, his teeth clenched.
How dare she insult Jane?
“How tedious. Still, she is not here, is she? But I am.” Lady Waterburry leaned towards him. “Why don’t you come here and put me in my place?”
He turned away from her in disgust. “Whatever you are trying to do, it will not work. But if you speak ill of Jane again, you will regret it.”
“Will I, indeed?” Lady Waterburry sounded amused, but Blake saw a flicker of anger in her eyes. “Tell me, Dear Duke, do you know where she is, right now?”
“In her rooms, like the respectable woman she is?” Blake suggested, his smile razor sharp.
“On her way to London.” The woman’s eyes glittered with malicious triumph. “And it seems she did not even say goodbye.”
“Oh.” Blake felt as though the wind had been knocked out of his chest. He shook his head.
She left. She did not even say goodbye.
Lady Waterburry made a pitying noise as she said, “Did you think she cared for you? That she would stay for you?”
“Why are you doing this?” Blake asked, his voice sounding far away.
It is better this way. There will be no temptation. She does not want you.
But his treacherous mind replayed their conversation.
Not like this.
Those were the words that Jane had used.
“Because I want to show you how foolish you have been, silly Blake. You belong to me. You always have. And I have been so very patient, but this latest escapade of yours has been rather trying.” Lady Waterburry yawned as though the entire thing bored her.
“I do not belong to you. I belong to no one.” His voice was flat but clipped with the effort of tamping down his anger.
You do not own me.
“You are mistaken. We have been promised to each other since we were children. My parents and your father were close, and it was their deepest wish for us to be married one day.” She laughed, but Blake saw that same predatory ownership in her eyes.
“It cannot have been that deep, as they were happy enough to marry you off to Lord Waterburry,” he said coolly.
Anger flashed across her face. “I told them that they should be patient, that you would come round. That this… rakish phase was simply a phase and nothing more. Besides, that marriage has in its own way been something of a blessing.”
Blake arched an eyebrow.
