Page 19 of To Ensnare a Duke

It's as if she's a completely different person. Gone is the fierce woman and in its place is a penitent girl. Her shoulders slump forward as she gazes down at the floor. An air of despondency circles her, as if she's already constrained herself to the worst fate possible. And yet, nothing can be worse than the wrong person taking advantage of her and forcing her down the aisle.

She simply doesn't understand. Though it is not my expressed occupation to make her see reason, I'm the only one here up for the task. Motioning to an oversized chair, I force my cock to flag at the sight of her long, delicate limbs draping across a seat made for contrition. Like all my friends, we commissioned exact chairs, completely alike save color and pattern.

They're the perfect size to haul a recalcitrant maiden over the lap to give them a sound thrashing. Granted, she's sitting like a proper lady and not like one of my whores begging to feel the lash on their upturned bottom. It still doesn't help to know I want nothing more than to tear into her backside until her repentant tears flow down her flushed cheeks.

"Please," she cries out, leaning forward.

I cut her off with a wave of my hand. "Save your pleas for after I'm done. I wish to impress upon you the danger of your actions. Whatever were you thinking?"

"I- I got separated-"

"Yes," I snarl, glaring down into her dark navy eyes, momentarily entranced by the specks of lighter blue shining out, wet with unshed tears. "You said that. But it does not explain how you managed to be so close to danger. Do you have any regard for your life? Do you know just how close to going up into flames you were?"

Honestly, I have half a mind to take her down to see Birchleigh when he returns from the country. He could certainly give her a taste of fire without actually injuring her. I would do it myself, but that's not where my erotic tastes lie. I wish to frighten the girl, not harm her. Besides, there's no one else I trust as much as my friends with the discretion needed for such an endeavor.

"I was unaware-"

"Clearly."

Her gaze snaps back up to mine, all traces of repentance gone. "What would you have me do? Innocent women were losing their homes, their livelihoods. I couldn't just stand by and watch!"

"And what, pray tell, do you know of the livelihoods of those residing in Covent Garden?" My heart squeezes painfully in my chest as I look upon my best friend's sister, all manner of fears swirling through my brain.

Could it be that she's already spoilt? Unable to secure a good match? This would devastate Lord Hardon. Hopefully we can still find a way to arrange something so she can keep what little honor she has left.

However, her cheeks pinken, giving me a glimpse of the innocence lurking beneath. "I cannot say. None of the words shouted out made any sense to me. I tried to understand. Individually, they make sense, but together as a whole, I find myself only more confused. All I know is the anger swirling about, as thick as the smoke, makes my heart shatter for the poor women. I had to do something."

I let out a breath, grateful to not have to deal with a higher level of crisis while her brother is away. Crossing my arms, I perch myself atop the desk. "You always were a bit tender while growing up. I did my best not to tease you since you'd take it to heart. That does not dismiss your actions. Nor does it absolve your maid of her carelessness. Did your brother teach you nothing? Your mother even?"

Her gaze hardens as she shifts in the seat. "If you will be so kind as to keep my mother out of this, I will be forever grateful. As it is, yes, she imparted on me the wisdom of staying inside, of working on my needlepoint and song. But-" She stops suddenly and shuts her mouth before looking away.

"But what? It is your duty to be graceful, delicate, a woman of knowledge and stature. Not a woman to run about putting their life in danger."

"And what of men?"

"Pardon?" I squint as I try to make sense of her words. "What about men?"

"You can carry on willy-nilly as you see fit, disparaging women only trying to feed themselves and their families. Let me ask you, what did those women do to any one of those men out there? What sort of occupation makes those of your gender so angry?"

I refuse to speak. "It is not my place to educate you on such matters."

"Then whose is it? To whom shall I go to understand? Whose feet shall I sit at so I can lap at the knowledge so freely given?"

Resisting the urge to groan, I stand and turn, adjusting my wayward erection where she cannot see. The chit wouldn't understand my reactions. Granted, I barely understand them myself.

"That is a discussion for your husband. Not me."

"Then marry me," she cries out, rising from the chair in a rustle of fabric.

The woman must be mad. Turning, I look her up and down, seeking out the lark, but stop short when I find none. "Are you quite daft? I cannot marry you."

"Why not? I am a friend. I am a female whose fortune is not unfortunate. There are no shameful secrets hidden for you to ferret out." For a moment, her gaze shifts, giving me pause.

Could it be that she's hiding something? No doubt it's merely anxiety over today's actions making her behave this way. In all the years I've known her, today is the biggest indiscretion she's committed. There certainly can't be anything worse lurking in that muddled brain of hers.

"A nice list, to be sure," I murmur, unsure of what to say. For the first time since I can remember, a woman has rendered me speechless.

"You already love our family," she continues. "And by proxy, me. What more do you need?" Lady Hunt blinks at me, her expression guileless.