Page 65 of How to Love a Duke in Ten Days

“I’ve come to make peace, Piers,” she said as though he’d not spoken.

He silenced her with a sharp gesture. “Youwill address me as Your Grace, or not at all.”

The jut of her chin was the only indication his imperious command had affected her.

What a perfect little actress she still was.

“Surely what the peasants and patricians in this part of the world have taken to whispering about you isn’t true.” She smoothed her hands down her skirts, molding them to her thin legs as she flicked a glance at the door Alexandra had vacated. “That you’ve developed a taste for virgins?”

“I’ve a taste for the woman I’d make myduchess.”

Another hit. She’d been unable to conceal her wince.

“It’s almost cruel to thrust that mantle upon her. That woman is a mouse. She may be the daughter of an earl, but it was plain tonight that she’d neither the wish nor the proficiency to fill such a responsibility.”

“And that is one of the many things my intended and I have in common.” Somehow, discussing Alexandra with Rose already felt like a betrayal.

Standing, Rose swayed toward him with careful, measured steps. Her pale shoulders thrust back, her breasts clad in barely there black proudly displayed. “I know you’re angry with me, but I’ve never had the chance to defend myself. Don’t you think I’m owed that? Don’t you wonder why I did what I did?”

“You married the heir to my title little more than a month after you received my letter informing you I wouldlikelydie,” he said drolly. “Your reasons would be obvious to a blind man.”

“That isn’t fair.” She pouted. “Patrick and I both lovedyou—love you—it was our grief that drove us into each other’s arms.”

He speared her with his most imperious glare. “A shame it didn’t keep you there.”

“You’ve always been beastly.” She lifted her hand to shape it to his scarred jaw, but he jerked his neck away, capturing her wrist. “And now you look like one.” Her tone became acerbic. “You’re many things,Your Grace,but you’re not stupid. Everyone knows the Lane family is destitute. She’s marrying your fortune. How does that make her any different than what you accuse me of being?”

He flung her hand away, hating the truth. Detesting that she knew it.

Rose’s eyes narrowed, her fingers turned to claws. “Has she convinced you that she wants you? That timid wench? Do you really think she can look past what you’ve become and desire who you are? You didn’t see her face, as you kissed her shoulders. You didn’t mark the revulsion. The fear. She doesn’t want you, she’ll suffer beneath you so she can spend your money.”

In desperation, she threw her arms about him, pressing her body against his as she breathed a husky whisper into his ear. “I’ve never stopped loving you. Desiring you. Your scars make me want you more. They show what you’ve always been to me. A magnificent beast. You’re the Terror of Torcliff, you deserve a lover who can slake every monstrous desire.”

She was all prickly jewels and tight, corseted posture, and as she crushed her curves to his body, the last of the heat Alexandra had ignited was doused by ice.

His hands had long forgotten the shape of her.

And now longed for the shape of another.

Was there any truth to what Rose claimed? Was Alexandra’s reticence less timidity and more revulsion? Wereher ridiculous conditions so she could stand to be touched by him?

“You’re here to seduce me, Rose?” He said her name like it was a curse. “Is it my monstrous body you want?”

Her eyes watered. “I’m here because I saw you tonight and I died from wanting. I’m here because all I ever wanted was to stand on the tiered balustrade with you. My place was beside you.Isbeside you. That is what you promised me, don’t you remember?”

His lip curled into a sneer, his face tightening into something he was certain was as ugly as the feelings she evoked. “I promised you my heart, you fell in love with the rest.”

“Your promise was empty!” she cried. “Your mother made certain your heart was as cold as hers. You chased me like one of your animals. And once ensnared, I became another pretty thing to mount on your wall. You pledged your love to me but fled your duty again and again. For twoyears,I waited for you to return from every corner of the earth, happy with your trinkets and your passion. But don’t ever think forone secondI caught a glimpse of your heart, because you never let me see it. I’m not convinced you have one.”

Piers thrust her away. “Had you loved me, you’d have mourned me. Had you mourned me, I’d have returned to you. I’d have been your beast. Your animal. I thank that jaguar every night for the monster he made me, because it revealed what a monsteryouare.”

“You can’t mean that.” She stumbled back, her hands out in supplication. “We’re family now, Piers, at least let us—”

“Get. Out.” She’d drained what little he’d left of his self-possession.

Reluctantly, she turned to leave, her ebony train dragginglike an inky trail behind her. She paused at the bookcase, looked back at him. “You’ll tire of her,” she predicted. “And when you do, I’ll welcome back the beast.”

The bookcase slid shut behind her, and Piers wrenched at the lever, rendering it useless.