Free Silent Revenge by Laura Landon Page B

attention last night. It still exposed the same curling wisps of black hair. There was no gleaming white cravat at his neck, nor was there a waistcoat beneath the unbuttoned tailcoat. He was most improperly dressed for making a call.
    High boots stretched to his knees, covering tight black breeches that hugged thick, muscular thighs. He looked ready to attack, but it was the knotted muscle in his jaw and the predatory expression on his face that caused her the most alarm. She could not tear her eyes from him.
    “I wish I could say I’m surprised to find you here, Miss Stanton,” he said, taking a step closer. “But of course, we both know I am not.”
    Collingsworth reached out his hand to grasp Northcote’s arm. “What is the meaning of this, Simon?” The earl twisted away and continued across the room until he stood in front of her.
    “How easily the lies tripped off your tongue last night. Did you think me such a fool that I would believe even one word that spilled from your deceiving mouth?”
    “Simon!” Collingsworth yelled. “Bloody hell, man. What is wrong with you?”
    “There is nothing wrong with me, James. It’s the plan you and this pretty little liar concocted that has gone wrong.”
    Jessica’s gaze darted from one face to the other, frantic to catch all that was being said. Heaven help her. They were talking too fast. And the Duke of Collingsworth didn’t look at her when he spoke.
    “Melinda, take Jessica to my study. Simon and I have—”
    “No!” Simon interrupted. “She will stay here.” He spun around to level His Grace a harsh look. “Why? Why did you send her to me last night when you knew I would not take your money?”
    “Last night? Where did you see Jessica last night?”
    Simon shook his head. His lips curled upward to form a bitter smile. “Don’t, James. Don’t play me for an ignorant fool. I’m wise to your scheme.”
    “You’re not making sense, Simon. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    Simon leaned down, his face just inches from hers. “You haven’t told him yet, my dear? He doesn’t know you’ve failed?”
    Jessica looked into his eyes filled with anger and opened her mouth to speak. “Please, my lord,” she whispered. She was so tired and confused, she couldn’t think.
    He reached out to her. He lifted his muscular hand from his side and touched her cheek. Dear God, she’d dreamt of that touch all night. She’d prayed to feel that strength again.
    But she did not want to see the disgust and revulsion she saw in his eyes.
    “Would you like me to tell His Grace that his plan went for naught? Would you like me to explain that even though I found you physically attractive and I truly enjoyed our passionate, yet all too brief, exchange, I would not play the beggar just to provide you with a husband?”
    The room suddenly turned terribly warm. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t force the air into her body. The roar in her head and the bright lights that darted behind her eyes made her dizzy. She pushed his hand away and wiped the dampness from her forehead. She needed to get away from him.
    From the corner of her eye, she knew Collingsworth was yelling. He grabbed Simon’s arm and tried to pull him away from her, but the earl twisted out of the duke’s grasp and continued to level his accusations.
    “Or perhaps His Grace doesn’t know that you offered to sell yourself to me. Perhaps he doesn’t realize how desperate you are to trap a husband. Could it be he still thinks you came only to offer the money and not your body?”
    Everything around her spun in dizzying circles. She felt strange—disoriented. She sprang from the sofa and rushed across the room, heedless of the obstacles in her path or the small table she knocked over in her escape. She had to get out.
    But before she could reach the door, a strong arm reached out for her, bringing her to a halt. The viselike grip twisted her about and pulled her up against him. It was the same