Free My Wicked Marquess by Gaelen Foley Page A

Because he couldn’t have her, he spitefully wanted to see her end up alone.
    Her friends chatted on at the table, but Daphne was no longer listening. What could she do? Run over there and tell Albert to shut his big mouth?
    Oh, what did she even care what he told Lord Rotherstone, anyway? If the “Demon Marquess” believed Albert’s lies without hearing her side of the story, then he was a fool.
    Still, it was upsetting, after she had spent the past twenty-four hours thinking of him as her hero.
    Rough-and-tumble he might be, but the man had risked his neck for her. But now, hearing whatever lies his old friend Albert was speaking about her, the intriguing marquess would not want anything to do with her.
    She knew the men were still talking about her, and she felt naked sitting there, an easy target for their mockery.
    In dire need of a moment to compose herself, she excused herself abruptly from her friends’ table. She walked stiffly to a door on the far end of the room in order to avoid going past him.
    She could swear she felt his eyes on her as she walked out of the dining hall. Holding her head high, she was determined to make at least a show of dignity, but as soon as she escaped his line of sight, she picked up her crepe silk skirts and fled the rest of the way to the safety of the ladies’ lounge.
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    Hm , Max thought, watching Daphne Starling.
    She had looked a little upset just then. Her sensitive face had paled, almost as if she could hear her former suitor’s unflattering words.
    Carew’s rant continued, but Max had concealed his truesentiments about the blackguard’s words long enough.
    He had wanted to hear firsthand exactly what complaints Carew had been leveling against her so that he could deal with the man appropriately.
    To be sure, the slightest encouragement on this topic had repaid Max with an earful.
    â€œTop-lofty she is, fickle, narcissistic little tease. She lures men close just to knock them down again. She thinks she’s too good for everyone—”
    â€œYou know, Carew,” Max cut him off in a mild tone, willing self-control. “If you keep talking about her that way, people are going to think it’s just sour grapes.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Albert retorted, taken aback.
    â€œIt looks bad, man. Petty,” Max said idly, exerting all his rigid discipline to keep his anger in check. “I don’t know, it rather makes it sound as if you merely want to damage her in others’ eyes, just because you couldn’t manage to win her for yourself.”
    â€œThat’s not the case!” Albert snorted. “My only interest is in finally letting the truth be known about everyone’s precious Miss Starling. Maybe then the next man won’t get burned!”
    â€œOh, so you are only acting from benevolence. I see.”
    â€œOf course!”
    â€œWell,” Max said slowly, meaningfully, staring into his eyes, “all the same, I’d shut my mouth if I were you.”
    Albert paused, registering the menace behind Max’s low-toned words and cool, polite stare.
    The other two Carew brothers exchanged a startled glance. They seemed to remember that this was how it always used to start.
    Albert scoffed and looked away, shaking his head with a mocking smile. “Well, you’re not me, are you, Rotherstone? You only wish you were.”
    â€œYou listen to me, you preening piece of mediocrity.” Max stepped closer, staring more fiercely into Albert’s eyes. “Leave Daphne Starling to someone better suited to manage a lady of her quality.”
    â€œAnd who might that be? Jonathon White? He’s a biggerpansy than my brother Hayden. Wait— you? ” Albert suddenly narrowed his eyes. “ You’re interested in her?”
    â€œUtter one more word against her, if you care to find out.”
    Albert let out a short bark of laughter. “Are you threatening me,