Page 98

Lord Colton might have fired the first shot, but Hudson certainly meant to finish the entire battle.

With a cannon.

Men!

Scarlett groaned inwardly. Did they truly have to resolve everything with sheer force?

But she had to admit that Hudson—overwhelmingly blunt and excessive as he might be—had exceedingly effective tactics. Brutal, but effective.

Lord Colton did not speak another word, his cheeks remaining a high color until they reached the opera house. As soon as the carriage door was opened, he immediately climbed out, leaving even Alexander in shock.

“I… should go see to him,” Alexander mumbled, hurrying after his embarrassed friend.

Scarlett nodded, while Hudson merely offered him a cold smile.

She turned towards him with a slight frown. “You did not have to be so cruel.”

He arched a dark eyebrow in response. “You thoughtthatwas cruel? I have not even begun to exact the appropriate vengeance on that lily-livered imbecile.”

“Lily-livered imbecile?” She would have thrown her hands up in the air in frustration if they were not in full view of the other guests trickling into the opera house.

“Come, little cat. We can discuss this inourbox,” he told her, his voice a low warning. “Away from prying eyes and ears.”

Scarlett pressed her lips into a thin line and allowed him to steer her into their box. He was right—it did afford them a modicum of privacy, and when the footman closed the door behind them, she whirled on her feet to face him.

“That was uncalled for,” she told him. “You know you did not have to be so rude.”

“If you want an exceedingly polite dandy who would not defend your honor, then you married the wrong person,” he replied scathingly. “Maybe you should have married the Marquess.”

Scarlett wanted to rage against him. Wanted to unleash her fury on this obtuse man that shechose.

But her shoulders simply sagged. “He is not wrong either.”

“What the hell do you mean?” he snarled, his eyebrows snapping together.

She lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. “You do not want me.”

His eyes grew cold. Absolutely glacial. “What the hell are you talking about?”

She wanted to cry, but she shook her head with a bitter laugh. “You think me a fool. You think everyone else is a fool!” She hugged herself as if it would stave off the cold loneliness that seeped into her bones. Theembarrassment. “But we all can see the truth—me, the servants.Everyone.You. Do. Not. Want. Me.”

Tears stung her eyes as she unleashed the words she had held in for weeks.

“I wanted to stay at home,” she told him brokenly. “At least I would not have to deal with rejection from Snowdrop. Instead, I have to watch an opera where yourparamouris singing!”

Hudson looked at her in horror. “I thought you were the one who wanted to go to the opera.”

“You think I enjoy watching the performance of a woman who shared your bed?” she spat.

“Then you should have said something.” His voice was soft. Gentle. “If you told me you disliked the opera so much, not even your blathering idiot of a brother could have dragged me here.”

Scarlett choked on her laughter. “It does not change anything, though. You do not want me, and I have to sit here and pretend that I am perfectly fine with it.”

“Do you really believe that, Duchess?” he asked softly.

He reached for her hand, pressing it to his manhood with a muffled groan. Her eyes widened as she felt him through his breeches and saw the naked hunger in his eyes. When her fingers curled reflexively around his cock, he let out a low growl, his fingers sinking into her hair.

“I am done with being a good man, little cat,” he groaned. “I want you, and youneedto know that.”