Something weaved in and out of his consciousness, a warning. A sense that something was wrong. He’d been drinking, yes, but he wouldn’t have considered himself drunk. For pity’s sake, what the bloody hell—
Someone was knocking at the door. He ignored it.
“Come now.” He slanted a smile toward the girl, to soothe her. “There’s no reason to—” He stopped cold. Blast! He didn’t even know her name!
It didn’t help that she remained wide-eyed and full of shocked wariness. She clutched fistfuls of sheet and coverlet andwrenched them all the way to her chin so that only her nose and eyes were revealed.
The knocking continued, sharply insistent.
Alec lost his temper. “Stop knocking and bloody well come back later!”
He turned back to the girl. Before he could say a word, he heard a key inserted into the lock. The door was flung wide. Alec was still considering why someone dared violate his privacy when a distinguished-looking, bearded man surged inside.
Alec leaped from the bed. “Who the hell are you?”
The stranger ignored him. “Maura?” The man’s gaze circled the chamber, at last settling on the chit cowering in his bed. “Maura!”
The girl’s beautiful eyes filled with tears. She scooted even farther back against the wall. “Uncle!” she cried.
The baron was suddenly there as well. He pushed a key into his breast pocket. “Your grace, forgive the intrusion. But please, let us not share this unpleasantness with the other guests.”
Alec shoved his legs into his breeches. He swung around to face the baron, his rank no less impressive for the fact that he was bare-footed and bare-chested. “What the blazes goes on here? Who is this man?”
The baron had rather wisely insinuated himself between Alec and the bearded man. “His Grace, Alec McBride, Dukeof Gleneden,” the baron began, but the other man gave Lord Preston no chance to continue.
“I am Murdoch Maxwell,” he said coldly. “You will forgive me if I do not shake your hand. I’m far more interested in knowing why the bloody hell you took my niece to your bedroom last night. I’ve searched for her all morning, until a servant told me she saw you leading her up the stairs last night.”
Alec’s head was spinning. Images flashed in his brain. Of his lady pirate’s touch. Running her fingers through her hair. The certainty that she had lain atop him as they kissed. It was as if he could almost feel her slight weight once more, the precise angle of her knee between his.
He’d felt so strange. As if his blood were afire.
Aye,chided a voice in his mind,the fire of desire.
After that…God, but it was as if his mind had been wiped clean.
He raised his head. His jaw clamped together. His gaze slid from the she-pirate in his bed to Murdoch Maxwell. “This woman—”
“Lady Maura,” Murdoch snapped. “Lady Maura O’Donnell, daughter of the late earl of McDonough. Please have the courtesy to use her name.”
“I bloody well didn’t know her name!” Alec ran a hand through his hair. Lord, but he sounded like a fool! This was unlike any other situation he’d found himself in. He wasn’t a silly young pup who settled himself between any pair of willingwhite thighs that parted for him. He stayed away from trouble—he didn’t make trouble for himself.
“Is this your usual manner of taking women to your bed, your grace?” The bearded man called Murdoch had turned toward the bed. “Did he hurt you, lass? Force you to come with him?”
Alec couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Nor could he believe what he was seeing, for the chit—Lady Maura—had lowered her head, a pose of innocence. Her mouth opened, then closed. “I…” she stammered. “Uncle, truly, I cannot say how I came to be here—”
“The devil you can’t!” Alec exploded. “I assure you, Lady Maura came to my room knowing full well what she was about!”
“Did she now?” Murdoch stepped forward. “I know my niece, your grace.” His voice vibrated with feeling. “I know very well what she is, and what she is not. I also know full well the intent and desires of men who see a beautiful young woman like my niece—men who take what they want and care nothing about those beneath them. And I daresay the proof is in the pudding, is it not?” With one arm he swept aside the coverlet.
Blood smeared the sheet.
Maura yanked her eyes from it.
Alec was too stunned to speak.
Murdoch balled his hands into fists. He turned furiously on the duke. “I knew it. I knew it! You ravished her. By heaven, you’ve ruined her. I—”
The baron spread his hands wide. “Gentlemen, gentlemen! I beg of you, allow me to bid the remainder of my guests farewell. Let us meet in my study at noon. Then I’m certain this matter can all be sorted out.”
