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Jude felt Marissa's touch and looked down to see her hand on his fist. "It is my opinion," he growled, "that only the lowest cur takes advantage of a woman and then abuses her for participating. Is that what you are, sir? A dog in need of putting down?"
"Because if you think I will not beat you within an inch of your life, then you are stupid as well as immoral!"
When Marissa wrapped her hands around his
arm, Jude realized he'd stalked two steps closer to White. Almost within striking distance now. His hands shook with fury.
"Mr. White," she said quietly. "I am not carrying your child, so the matter is finished."
The man's eyes jerked nervously between Jude and Marissa. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. So please consider me a stranger. I do not wish to see you again."
"And," Jude added, "I promise you that if you breathe one foul word about her, I will hear of it, and I will kill you. Do you hear me?"
White seemed to sense that the immediate danger had passed, as he pulled his shoulders hack and primly straightened his cuffs. "I do. Good-bye, Miss York. I only regret that my intentions have been misunderstood. I wish you the best in your fortuitous marriage."
Though Jude ached with the need to pounce, he let the man turn around and walk off into the night.
Marissa let out her breath in a long sigh. "My
word, Jude. You are terrifying when you're angry."
"I cannot stand men like him."
She raised a knowing eyebrow.
"And not only because of my mother," he muttered.
"Were men cruel to her?"
"No, my mother is a good judge of character, but many of her friends were ill-used. Often it's how they came to be in that profession. Seduced by a gentleman, then cast aside like rubbish." He let Marissa turn him back toward the house.
After a few steps, she asked a very quiet question. "Is that what my brother does?"
"Who? Aidan?"
Not meeting his eyes, she nodded.
"No, I wouldn't call him a friend if he did. Aidan might be cold, but he's unfailingly honest. He does not love them and makes that clear."
"But they love him?"
"Only the very foolish ones, Marissa."
"He is just so cold now. And the stories I hear... I worry."
He was finally calm enough to feel that her hand trembled against his arm, and Jude pulled her to a sudden stop. "You're shaking. Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm just feeling a bit... drained. I wasn't expecting to believe anything Peter White said."
"Did you?"
"Yes! And that's what so frightening. That he may have truly cared for me when he tried to force me into a future I did not want."
Jude made a sound of agreement as he wrapped her in his arms, but pain bloomed in his chest at her words. Is that what she thought of him, as well?
"Jude," she sighed. "You've been so good to me."
