“You know nothing about me,” the Duke hissed.
“I know enough.” Jane glowered at him.
“While I regret the upset I have caused to our hosts, I am hardly solely to blame.” An unreadable look crossed the Duke’s face. “After all, there was another party involved.”
“No, but you are hardly the victim. Or do you mean to tell me that someone of your…” Jane paused as she studied the Duke pointedly. “Station could not defend himself from the unwanted advances of a woman.”
“I am glad you think so much of my station.” The Duke smirked mockingly.
“That was not what I said.” Jane felt her anger war with her embarrassment.
He is enjoying this.
He wanted to throw her off balance, and that irked her.
Fine. If he wants to play games, let us see how well he can play.
“Let me speak plainly. I find it hard to believe that you were unable to reject the advances of a woman who barely comes up to your shoulders. Unless, of course, you really are that weak.”
The Duke’s jaw tightened, and Jane noted with some satisfaction that her comment had hit the mark.
“I am not weak.”
“Then you should have been able to behave yourself.”
“Weakness has nothing to do with any of this.” The Duke took a steadying breath, but Jane could still see the anger in his expression. “Considering this is not even your ball, nor your estate, you have rather a lot of opinions about my behavior. Perhaps you are jealous, rather than offended?”
“Honestly, if this is your attempt at an apology to your hosts, it really is a poor one,” Jane scoffed.
“Well, perhaps if I was not so busy saving their guests, I would be able to do it justice,” the Duke said.
“I did not need rescuing.” Jane folded her arms across her chest. “I am not some damsel in distress, and you are certainly no valiant knight.”
The Duke raised an eyebrow at her. “Should I have let you hit the floor? You know, most people would say thank you.”
“Most people would not antagonize their hosts’ guests after transgressing,” Jane shot back.
“I am not trying to antagonize you. I am trying to lighten the mood,” the Duke said, shaking his head.
“And you are doing a poor job of it,” Jane continued. “Honestly, has no one tried to put you on a decent, proper path?”
“Oh, many have tried, I assure you.” The Duke’s face was dark for a moment, almost too quick for Jane to see before his irritating smile returned. “But I have found life is best when it is lived.”
“And what if that path hurts others?” Jane countered.
“Who has it hurt? There has been no actual harm, just a minor breach of propriety, agreed upon by both parties.” The Duke took a step towards her, closing the distance between them. “Perhaps in time, you will learn to lighten up a little.”
She refused to back away from him and held her ground, a defiant look in her eyes as she took a steadying breath. “If lightening up makes me anything like you, I would prefer to keep my delicate sensibilities, thank you.”
“Perhaps you might enjoy it,” the Duke murmured.
“I doubt that. I care about the people around me.” Jane held the Duke’s gaze, refusing to be charmed.
An odd look crossed the Duke’s face, and Jane sensed she had touched a nerve.
Good. Let him feel the consequences of his actions.
He thought he could cow her, but she was not the one who had behaved badly.
