Free Rogue Countess by Amy Sandas

have declared your position in regard to this marriage, I am afraid you are stuck with me. You see, I have discovered a newfound desire to take my responsibilities as husband very seriously.” His blue eyes drifted down to the lush cleavage exposed above the edge of her bodice.
    “Are you threatening me?” Anna asked with incredulous surprise.
    “Not at all. I am simply making my position as clear as you have made yours.” He lowered his voice and declared in a tone designed to leave no doubt as to the sensual nature of his intentions, “I want you, Anna, and if you insist that we remain husband and wife, then it will only be a matter of time before our relationship becomes much more personal.”
    Anna gasped at the arrogant declaration, just as he intended. He wanted her to believe he would use her spiteful refusal to cooperate with an annulment against her. He wanted her to be wary of him and uncertain of his intentions.
    “You are out of your mind if you think I will have anything to do with you in that regard.”
    Though her words were strong and defiant, Jude detected a note of breathlessness in the swiftly uttered refusal. His smile then was one of genuine satisfaction as he shrugged and glanced over her shoulder at the footman approaching with her cloak.
    “I guess we will have to see how this scenario progresses,” he declared.
    He took the cloak from the footman and before she could object, he whisked it around her shoulders and used the edges still clasped in his hands to pull her toward him. She resisted at first, then took a stumbling step forward.
    It was a cheap trick to use his superior strength as a means of intimidation, but it served a certain purpose. Her hands came up to press against his chest as she fought to retain her balance and keep a modicum of distance between them. The swirling heat of sexual tension was undeniable when her body came in contact with his. He smiled in pleasure and her whiskey-colored eyes glared up at him with undisguised animosity.
    He was gravely tempted to kiss her.
    “You have given your warnings and made your threats,” she said between clenched teeth. “But I am not easily frightened or manipulated. I have had many long years to strengthen my resolve and thicken my skin. I will not be bullied by the likes of you.”
    The depth of her determination was evident in her scowling features and Jude reluctantly admired her refusal to be cowed.
    “Don’t worry, darling,” he murmured in a tone more foreboding than soothing, “you may find my method of persuasion to your liking.”
    Then he released the edges of her cloak, stepped back to execute a formal bow and turned to disappear back into the inner rooms of the club. He didn’t bother glancing back, confident that he had left the woman with a few more things to think about.

Chapter Seven
    Anna was spitting mad.
    She could actually feel the tips of her ears burning. And all of her fury was directed at one man.
    Jude Montgomery Sinclair, Earl of Blackbourne, was going to have to reverse the infuriating effects of his underhandedness to her satisfaction or she would be forced to…
    Well, she didn’t know what she would have to do. She couldn’t quite push aside her temper long enough to think that far in advance. Her mind kept circling back to an hour ago when she had ridden up to Lord Palmerton’s estate per their scheduled appointment. The man had a mare for sale that Anna intended to purchase for Charles. Their bloodlines were destined to produce some fine racing talent. She had seen the red mare a couple times in the past and had adored the horse’s fine russet coloring and long-legged stride. This purchase was the reason she had come to London. Charles, her four-year-old gray, had not been very compatible with the mares currently in her stables and Anna just had an instinctual feeling this one would be his perfect match.
    It was early enough in the morning by London standards that Anna had no qualms about