He lowered his head and forced his lips against hers. She struggled, but he was too strong. Too determined to have his way. He placed hot, wet kisses on her cheeks and then ran his tongue down the side of her neck. “So beautiful. Oh, Caroline, you are so beautiful. I cannot wait to have you naked beneath me,” he growled.
Hot, burning anger welled up inside. She lifted her right boot, and brought it down as hard as she could on his foot.
“Oh, you bitch!” he cried, releasing her from his harsh embrace.
Caroline rounded on him. “Yes, and a bitch you won’t be marrying!”
Harry snorted. “We shall see about that. If you defy me now, Caroline, I will show you who is the master once we are married. I promise, you will yield.”
He raised a fisted hand and swung at her face. Caroline stepped to one side and avoided the blow. From his angry roar, she knew she would not be so lucky a second time.
Behind Harry, Julian reappeared from the walled garden. At the sight of him, Caroline sucked in a shuddering breath and screamed, “Julian!”
He broke into a fast run. “What on earth is going on?”
Caroline quickly moved to stand close to the safety of him. She looked back at Harry. He had not moved; his fist was still sickeningly clenched.
“Harry posted a betrothal notice inThe Times. Oh Julian, all of London thinks I have agreed to marry him. When I told him no, he attacked me,” she said. The words burned in her mouth as she spoke. The pain was made worse by the look of shock and anger which appeared on Julian’s face.
“Is this true?” he said.
Harry looked from Julian to Caroline and snorted. “I didn’t attack her. I simply kissed her. In time she will learn to accept my advances, willing or not.”
Julian’s posture stiffened. Caroline sensed he was about to launch himself at Harry and do him a grave injury. When Harry made a bold step toward them, Julian held up his hand.
“Menzies, I would not take another step, because if you do, I shall put you down like a wild beast.” A deadly look glittered in Julian’s eyes. “And I will show you no mercy.”
