Page 22 of The Redemption of the Shrew

“For God’s sake, Philippe, don’t be ridiculous. I can’t compromise you with your sister standing right here.”

“Then speak to me with her standing right there.”

She took a deep breath. And another. She glanced at Sophie and regret washed over her. “I cannot. It would be unfair to Sophie. And unkind.”

“I shall go away, if you wish,” Sophie said, “but the servants have big ears. You cannot be private whilst shouting in a corridor.” She paused. “Philippe, she says she does not lust after you, which may or may not be true.”

Gloriana glared indignantly at her friend.

“But she is far too angry to force herself on you,” Sophie said. “Please open the door.”

“Non.” Curt, indifferent, and final.

Inspiration struck Gloriana. She dug in the pocket of her cloak for the loaded pistol she always carried while traveling. So far, she’d never had cause to use it. She pointed it at the lock.

Sophie gasped. “Gloriana, you must not!”

“Unlock that door, Philippe, or I will shoot,” Gloriana said.

He made a rude noise. “Don’t be a fool.”

“I think she means it,” Sophie said in French.

“Then let her prove it,” he retorted, laughing now.

Sophie threw up her hands. “Don’t shoot him, please, chérie!”

Gloriana hadn’t considered that option, but in this mood . . . “Fortunately for your horrible brother, I have only one shot, and that is for the lock.” She aimed. “Stand back, you blackguard.”

Philippe’s laughter swelled to absolute hilarity.

“Ah, mon Dieu,” Sophie cried. “Please stand away, Philippe!”

Boom!

The lock shattered. Gloriana thrust the door open and stormed into the room.

~ ~ ~

Didn’t lust after him? Philippe knew the signs, as he saw them every damned day. Her eyes, which were narrowed with rage as she stalked in, widened now at the sight of him dressed only in his breeches.

What did women see in him? He might be cursed with a pretty face, but he wasn’t a good man, nor even a charming one unless he chose to exert himself. He’d resorted to parading a mistress he didn’t particularly want, simply to deter them. Not that even this tactic had worked.

Annoyingly, he was beginning to be aroused, too. He could ignore most women, but this one never failed to get at him to some degree. He turned away to grab his shirt. “Pray give me leave to dress before you commence ranting, Miss Warren.”

“Thank the Good Lord,” Sophie breathed. “You are alive and unhurt.”

“I’m sorry I frightened you, Sophie,” Gloriana said. “And I’m sorry about your door too. I’ll pay to have it fixed.”

“Indeed, you will.” Philippe pulled the shirt on and reached for a cravat. “I don’t know what you can possibly have to say to me, but treating my sister in such a callous way is unforgivable.”

“You should have opened the door.”

“He is stubborn,” Sophie said, “and so are you, chérie. In my opinion, you two would be much happier going to bed together than fighting, but no one listens to me. Therefore, I shall leave you now.” She shut the door behind her.

Philippe and Gloriana were left to confront one another, distracted by images of lying naked together in bed. But there was nothing new about that as far as Philippe was concerned. Fortunately, the still-untucked shirt covered his affected part. As for the way her bosom heaved . . .

On second thought, that might indicate nothing more interesting than rage.