Chapter Five #2
She stole a look at him. She couldn’t help it—and oh, but she shouldn’t have! For that glimpse of his expression sent a shiver all through her. His regard was scarcely that of delight, as it had been last night.
A part of her trembled inside. Another part of her was fighting mad. Still another warned her to be on guard. His eyes were like chips of pale blue. She felt them like the prick of ice.
And all at once she wished she dared to punch him in the jaw—to see it climb higher yet!
The Baron of Killane waved a hand that they should sit. He coughed, cleared his throat and coughed again. It was apparent he wasn’t sure how to broach the events of last night.
“Well, then,” he said finally, “while I dislike involving myself in the affairs of others, something happened in my home that must be addressed and set to rights. I do not wish for my home to be known as a place for raucous indulgence. I hope that this is an isolated incident.”
Alec leaned an elbow on the armrest of his chair, completely at ease. “My lord,” he said with a faint smile, “I can assure you, no one will assume that you host orgies in your home.”
Murdoch glared at him. “Let us establish the events of last evening, then. Maura, I doubt that you wandered into His Grace’s room on your own. Therefore, your grace, I am obliged to ask. Did you take my niece—Lady Maura—to your room last night?”
“I did,” the duke said evenly.
“With the intention of—”
“Most certainly.” Alec shifted his head to glance at the baron, then Maura.
“Let us be frank. We are all aware there are times when a man and woman become…amorous. Such was the case between myself and Lady Maura last night. She is not a child”—he mocked her, and he knew it—“and I cannot imagine that she did not know the consequences of accompanying a man to his room. Alone, as it were.”
Maura’s gaze skidded to the duke’s, then quickly away. She clasped her fingers together in her lap. Her deceit sat on her shoulder, a weight she could not discard. But she could not let it sway her.
She bit back a half sob. “I…Uncle…” She faltered. “It was the wine, I think. Too much…Otherwise, I would never have…I should not have—”
“Do not offer excuses, Maura. What you have done has gone far beyond the pale!”
Tears welled in her eyes at her uncle’s rebuke.
Alec eyed Maura coolly. Tears? he scoffed to himself. A quivering lip? She floundered so convincingly. And now she was wringing her hands. Oh, she played the shrinking violet so well! She knew just when to rail, just when to sob, just how to play the game. Why, she should have been on the stage!
He rose to his feet. “Blind yourself to the truth, sir, but your niece made herself an easy mark. She was quite amenable to my advances. I did not force her. Ask her yourself.”
Maura gasped. How dare he sound so lofty! She was inclined to believe he was goading her. The beast! She knew full well he did when he continued, addressing himself to Murdoch.
“Perhaps,” said the duke, “you simply do not know your niece as well as you think.”
Murdoch pushed his chair back. “Your grace, I warn you—”
“Were you unwilling, Lady Maura?” Alec interrupted.
He turned to Maura. His tone was as icy as his gaze.
“Did I force you to do anything you did not want? I recall no protests. Or perhaps you wish to provide your account? In the heat of the moment, I find my mind a bit fuzzy as to all of the details. Perhaps you are better equipped to supply them.”
Again he heard her give a half sob, and watched her shake her head. Tears of supposed shame welled in her eyes. Oh, she portrayed the picture of artless innocence so well! Too much bloody wine, hell! Where was the brazen pirate from last night? He was being played like a pawn, he decided furiously.
“Do not look at her like that,” growled her uncle. “Do not dare to blame her! The fact remains, you have disgraced her! You took advantage of an innocent woman. And I defy you to tell me she was not pure.”
Alec’s eyes flickered. “Nonetheless, it occurs to me that your niece was—”
“Hold!” Murdoch roared, on his feet now and squared away toward the duke. “Be very careful what you say, your grace! Your rank will not countenance the ruination of my niece, and that is exactly what you have done!”
But for Maura, nothing could disguise the truth. It did not disguise her part in what had taken place.
She was disgraced.
She felt ashamed.
But she could bear it. It was worth anything—everything!—if she found the Circle and brought it home.
Shakily, she got to her feet. Murdoch stretched out a hand. “Please let me be!” she cried.
The baron was up as well. He rounded his desk. “Lady Maura! Perhaps you’d like to compose yourself in the rose garden—my late wife’s pride and joy. Mr. Maxwell, perhaps you’d like to accompany her.”
A footman ushered Maura and her uncle through a set of double doors into the garden.
Alec gazed after them. The baron resumed his seat behind his desk and regarded him.
“I believe, your grace,” Preston stated coolly, “that you are arrogant.”
“Am I?”
“You are. And at the moment—rather reckless.”
Alec shrugged.
“Headstrong.”
“I fully admit, I am used to having my way.”
“Too used to having your way, I suspect. By heaven, if your father had not been my friend, you would never be invited back,” Lord Preston said sternly.
Alec gave a faint smile. “Am I being invited back?”
“That depends on you.”
Alec arched a brow.
The baron’s tone was gruff. “Lady Maura’s mother and my wife were distant cousins. Even if her uncle were not here with her, you know that, as such, I would be obliged to stand up for her.”
Alec’s eyes narrowed.
“You know Murdoch will demand that you wed her. It is only right. Regardless of what you claim about her conduct, it does not excuse yours. All of us saw the proof, the fact that Lady Maura’s reputation has now been irreparably damaged.
She lost her virginity to you, your grace. You can hardly deny your part in it.”