Free Heiress Without a Cause by Sara Ramsey

shift for herself better than any of us. But I forgot all about your connection with her — it was your precipitous flight from her bed that sent you off to Scotland in disgrace, was it not?”
    Madeleine’s head snapped up at that. Westbrook met her eyes. “I did not intend to offend you with this nonsense, Madame Guerrier,” he said silkily. “But you should know what you are signing up for if you choose to align yourself with Rothwell.”
    “You are no saint yourself, Westbrook,” Ferguson said. He sounded calm, but she could feel his legs tense beneath her as though preparing for a fight.
    Madeleine was drowning in this conversation, and there was nowhere that offered safe purchase. Ferguson had behaved abominably by kissing her without so much as a by-your-leave, and apparently his illicit connections from ten years earlier still haunted him — but Westbrook had a reputation as a dangerous predator. Worse, he was a wealthy, titled predator, which made him nearly unstoppable. Without Ferguson there, he may have already carried her off. Josephine had disappeared, but neither she nor Madame could have saved Madeleine from Westbrook without giving her name away.
    Westbrook turned his gaze back to her. “So, Madame Guerrier, I must ask why you are throwing yourself away on Rothwell. Even leaving aside the rumors about his brothers, the whole ton knows that he has turned his back on London life. If you choose him, you will find yourself out on the streets within the month.”
    “Did you offer Lady Greville the same security?” Madeleine asked. She had never played the role of a hardened mistress — but in for a penny, in for a pound.
    “Caro got what she wanted out of our arrangement, which is more than I can say for what she got from Rothwell.”
    She wasn’t ready to forgive Ferguson for taking command, but she couldn’t express interest in Westbrook just to get revenge. And since Ferguson had guessed her true identity, she could not risk offending him. So she murmured, “I am flattered by your offer, my lord, but my understanding with his grace is of longer duration.” Ferguson squeezed her, and despite the distracting nuzzling at her neck, she was glad that he was at her back.
    Westbrook was shocked for a single second, but he smoothed his face and put his hat back on his head. “You wound me, Madame Guerrier. But I am quite particular in my tastes. No doubt Rothwell will end this soon — or you will end it yourself, if he proves dangerous. If you find yourself wanting a new companion, I am at your service.” He kissed her hand, gave a curt nod to Ferguson, and took his leave.
    Madeleine leaned back into Ferguson’s chest, not knowing how tense she had been until Westbrook left the room. Talking to Westbrook in the ton could have caused a scandal for an unwed almost-spinster. Accepting his kiss while sitting in Ferguson’s lap made her feel like she was already ruined.
    She listened to him walk away, and her rage rushed back with every step. As soon as she heard the stage door close in the distance, Madeleine sprang to her feet. “Are you mad?” she shrieked. “What in the world are you doing?”
    Ferguson put a finger on her lips. But after his autocratic possession of her body in front of Westbrook, she was in no mood for his control.
    She opened her mouth and bit him.
    “Bloody hell,” he swore, jerking his hand back. “What was that for?”
    “Don’t shush me like a child! I deserve an answer for what just happened.”
    “And you shall have all the answers you want as soon as we’re in my coach,” he said, opening the door to check their surroundings. “But unless you want the whole theatre to hear our discussion — and there will be a discussion — I suggest you accept my shushing and come with me.”
    She wanted to bite him again, but she knew he was right. He took her arm and ushered her out of the dressing room, pulling her toward the back door. “There may be more outside. Act