Page 45 of The Seduction of an English Scoundrel

He paused, pursing his lips. “Far be it from me to criticize anyone’s behavior outside my family, but I do start to wonder, Jane, whether this tendency of yours to be a little tart of tongue did not intimidate my cousin.”

Jane had no idea how to react.

He looked uncomfortable. “I shouldn’t have spoken. I happen to find this tendency appealing myself.”

Appealing. Her standing up to him. “You what?” she said, finally managing to respond.

“To a degree. I’m sorry I brought up the subject.” He gave her a penitent grin. “I’m also sorry if I seemed inattentive today.”

Jane turned away, again thunderstruck. Any more of his attention, and she would have melted in her slippers.

His deep voice over her shoulder gave her another jolt. “It’s all this rebellion of Chloe’s,” he confessed, revealing what was obviously weighing on his mind. “I cannot control her every action, and I fear she is bent on some course of self-destruction. The truth is, I do not generally attend these insipid day affairs. I’m better at night.”

“That isn’t what I’ve heard.”

“Pardon?”

She felt his large body behind her, remembering in embarrassment what Evelyn had said. “It was only gossip,” she said hurriedly. “They said that in the morning—goodness, forget I mentioned it.” Was it true? Did Sedgecroft read the newspaper while he made love?

He followed her closely up the steps into the carriage, his expression mocking. “Don’t listen to the gossips, darling.”

She glanced around at her brother standing outside. She was starting to understand how much more there was to this man than met the eye. “What do you mean?”

“Find out the truth for yourself.” He waited for her to sit before he lounged back, his brazen gaze studying her. “If you’re curious about my personal habits, all you have to do is ask.”

“I hardly think I would dare.”

“Then you shall never know for yourself.”

“Perhaps in some instances, one is better off remaining blissfully ignorant.”

“But not you, Jane.” He nudged his shoulder playfully against hers. “I have a feeling your curiosity has not begun to be sated.”

Chapter 11

Jane locked herself in her room as soon as she arrived home, ignoring her sisters’ barrage of curious questions. She needed to ponder. Of course all she could ponder was Grayson. In leisurely detail. When they were together, her brain ceased all but its most basic functions.

She would have thought less of him today had she not been so strangely touched by all the emotions he revealed when he had shouted at his sister. The love and sheer panic of a man who was finally realizing that he could not control the world.

Pompous Grayson. He meant well, even if his heavy-handed methods left something to be desired. She did not understand why she felt so at ease with him. Perhaps because he was not easily shocked by the things she said, and she had done a very shocking thing.

Would her secret shock him?

Probably—if his treatment of Chloe were any indication. Even his liberal standards apparently extended only to the male prerogative for misbehavior.

But no matter what happened in the end, for this moment he made her feel valued, and no one, except her dogs, had ever seemed to value Jane for herself.

Except that Grayson didn’t know who she really was. Or what she had done. What would he think if the truth were revealed?

As surprisingly enjoyable as the day spent with Jane had proven, Grayson did not look forward to the inevitable confrontation with Chloe that same evening. Of all his siblings his younger sister was the one he worried about and collided with the most. Possibly because in too many ways they were alike.

Arrogant. Adventurous. Always taking up lost causes.

Attracted to trouble. Determined to have their own way and damn the consequences.

He paused outside her bedroom door, bracing himself for another battle. At times like this he wished their spine-of-steel sister Emma were here to do the honors. Or even Heath, whose gentle intensity seemed to disarm women quite effectively. Having Jane at his side would help, even if she scolded him afterward. Grayson realized that in personal matters he possessed all the tact of a battering ram. But there were certain issues on which one must stand firm. He was the head of the family whether he liked it or not. He would be obeyed.

Why did Chloe defy him at every turn?