Free Captivated by the Viscount (The Captivating Debutantes Series Book 1) by Emily Windsor Page B

deep blue waistcoat and matching coat – her favourite colour. His
cravat was elegant in its simplicity, a snowy white against his tanned face.
    “Sherry? Or we
have lemonade if you want something simpler.”
    “A very small
sherry please,” answered Lucy. She probably shouldn’t considering the amount of
sleeping draughts that the maid had poured down her throat in the night and the
thought of brandy made her shudder, but she felt she needed a slight calming
influence and a dose of dutch courage to dine with Jasper alone.
    There was no
time for more than a sip as Robinson announced dinner and they made their way
to the dining room. The last time she had been in this room had been the
disastrous dinner with Eloise. She hoped this one had a better outcome.
    The food was
very good. Jasper had obviously ordered the cook to keep it light considering
her illness, and Lucy irrationally wondered why he had to be so thoughtful, then
she wouldn’t lov….no no no, Lucy shook her head to herself, like…LIKE the man
so much. No girl in their right mind would love a man who had kidnapped, lied
and then kissed them into submission in such a…primal way…surely…
    Jasper
watched Lucy shake her head to herself. She was frowning. This did not bode
well for the line of questioning he was about to take. He needed answers.
    “Lucy, I have
a rather delicate question for you, I hope you do not take offense.” She looked
up, her face cocked sideways in an expectant manner. He paused. He had tried to
phrase it in his head so many times and yet all his questions felt intrusive.
    “Well, I
won’t know till you ask me,” she said, raising an eyebrow. She looked so sweet,
Jasper thought. Maybe he shouldn’t bother and just pull her onto his lap and
kiss her senseless. But no, he had to know everything. He took a breath.
    “Has your
brother hurt you in the past Lucy? In the physical sense.” He saw her mouth
open and close without anything coming out. She looked down, brought the
serviette to her mouth, dabbed and then placed it on the table, slowly and
carefully.
    “Why would
you think that?”
    “The doctor
mentioned extensive bruising to your side. Something that had happened before
you came here.” She opened her mouth again to speak but he forestalled her in
case she blamed a fall. “He also mentioned the bruises on your arm. In the
shape of fingerprints.”
    Jasper wasn’t
quite sure what to expect. He knew Lucy was strong, but surely she would
appreciate a confidant, a friend to speak to. “You can speak to me Lucy, if it
wasn’t your brother, who was it? I can protect you.”
    “I had a
cold. What was the doctor doing examining my body, that is what I want to
know?” Jasper hadn’t been expecting that. An angry flush was growing on her cheeks.
    “You were
found on the floor upstairs Lucy. I expect you do not remember as you were
feverish. He had to make sure you hadn’t injured yourself. Doctor Mainwaring is
a personal friend and is a man of the utmost discretion.”
    “Except to
you it seems,” Lucy retorted angrily. “Did he give you my measurements as well?
Or did you stay in the room while he did his ‘examination?’ ”
    Jasper wasn’t
sure how the conversation had got so out of control.
    “I was never
in the chamber Lucy when you were examined. Only today did I sit with you
awhile, and that was because the maid was exhausted. The doctor was concerned
for you, he thought…he thought I might have caused the injuries and was if
anything defending you.”
    He watched as
Lucy sat back in her chair and decided to carry on.
    “Your brother
Lucy…I need to know-”
    “Is none of
your business Jasper. I understand your need for revenge against him, I really
do. However you will no longer use me for it. Whenever I think…oh it doesn’t
matter.” Lucy stood, she was so incensed. “You will always look at me and think
of what my brother did Jasper. I don’t believe you will ever let go of that.”