Page 38 of The Seduction of an English Scoundrel

“May we discuss this later?” she asked quietly, her voice both repentant and rebellious.

The officer tried to step between brother and sister. Chloe motioned him covertly back to the chaise a second before Grayson swung toward him. “Let me handle this, William.”

“I do not wish you to be punished,” he said awkwardly, swallowing at the step Grayson took in his direction.

Jane slipped around Grayson’s tall rigid figure and sat down beside the other man. “Do not say another word to him,” she whispered. This side of Sedgecroft was so different from what she’d seen of him. Oh, what a temper.

“But I wish to marry her,” the officer said, twisting his hat in his hands. “I want to ask his permission.”

Jane couldn’t help smiling at this romantic courage. The poor fool didn’t stand a chance in the face of Grayson’s outrage. “How long have you known each other?” she asked in an undertone.

“A few days.” He was gazing at Chloe with painful adoration. “I’ve never felt so deeply about anyone in my life. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Well . . .” Jane’s gaze strayed to the marquess, her body still warm from the imprint of his well-muscled form against hers. Did she understand? she wondered, her breath hitching in her throat. Could one lose one’s heart without even realizing it? Did a person have any control, or did it simply happen?

Grayson and Chloe were engaged in a bitter argument now, their emotions running rampant. Grayson was threatening to send Chloe to her aunt and uncle in the country if she did not control her behavior. Chloe retorted, “You might as well. I have no life to speak of with you breathing down my neck night and day.”

Jane could not decide whom to defend, or if she dare interfere at all. Grayson was really quite effective in his protective fury, pacing around his sister as he lectured her.

Chloe was either very brave or very foolish to stand up to him. He looked capable of carrying through his threat. She leaned close to the young lieutenant, whispering, “If I were you, I would sneak out of here while I had the chance. He seems terribly upset.”

The young man, studying Grayson’s broad-shouldered frame and darkly furious face, was apparently having second thoughts about the situation himself.

“Do you think Chloe would understand?”

In Jane’s estimation the rebellious Chloe was probably too confused to know her own mind. “I think she can handle this better by herself,” she said gently. “I also think she would not wish to see you dead over . . . an unwise moment.”

The man stood, gauging the safest way around the two arguing siblings. “I shall take your advice then.” He glanced down at her as if truly seeing her for the first time. “How rare it is to find a woman such as you who is both beautiful and sensible. Dare I hope you will convey my apologies to Lady Chloe?”

“Go,” Jane said softly. “The marquess is twice your size.” And ten times as impressive.

He vanished down the stairs without further prompting. And not a second too soon. Grayson had concluded his angry tirade; Chloe stood facing the wall, her pale arms crossed over her chest, her blue eyes glittering with unshed tears of humiliation.

That the young officer had fallen in love so impulsively with the raven-haired Chloe did not surprise Jane at all. The entire Boscastle family appeared to live every moment of life with passion, and evidently inspired those who crossed their paths to do the same.

A very passionate family indeed, she thought as she glanced up appraisingly at Grayson. His angry gaze met hers, and she felt her heart jump at the raw emotion in his eyes. She didn’t dare say a word for fear he might explode.

Well, she could fault him for many things, but she would have to commend him for trying to protect his sister, even if he had gone a little overboard. She supposed that his passion for life probably spilled over into every aspect of his character.

Which certainly made being close to him a challenge.

“Where did our Lothario go?” he demanded, glancing at the empty space beside Jane on the chaise. He looked disappointed that he didn’t have anyone to murder.

“He remembered a previous appointment,” she answered calmly.

“Well, it’s a damned good thing for him, or his next appointment would be with the undertaker,” he said in a thunderous tone.

Jane cleared her throat. “Calm yourself, my lord. He is gone.”

Chloe whirled around, her tearful gaze suddenly focused on Jane. “What is she doing here anyway after yesterday? Oh, Grayson, don’t tell me you have chosen her as your next victim. That is so typical of you that I can’t stand it.”

Jane rose, certain her face had turned several unbecoming shades of red. “There is a perfectly logical explanation.”

“Which we are not about to give her,” Grayson said, his tone clipped. “The fact is that you disobeyed me, Chloe, and displayed a total lack of judgment in your behavior both last night and today. No decent woman would be caught in the pavilion with a man.”

Jane’s mouth opened in astonishment. Had she misheard the big scoundrel?

“Find a footman and have the carriage brought around, Chloe,” he said sternly, his hands planted on his lean hips. “You have had your misadventure for the month.”