Page 40 of In the Prince's Bed

Besides, how would Mother manage all alone? And there was Kit to consider, too—Sydney could never leave her to Iversley. That scoundrel would ruin Kit’s life. He could never make her happy.

Yes, but can you?

He wanted to. He really did. It was just that Kit had grown into such a…a woman. Suddenly, the amiable playmate who’d joined him in all manner of innocent boyish activities—boating and fishing and climbing trees—had become this creature of blatant femininity who scared the devil out of him. He still enjoyed their talks and admired her clever mind. But the thought of sharing a bed with Kit—Katherine—made him break out in a sweat.

It’s only because you’ve never been with a woman. Jules confused you, that’s all. Just kiss her as she asked, and that will break the ice and then everything will be fine.

But what if it wasn’t? What if, God forbid, he hated it?

No, Jules was wrong about him. Sydney stood up and strode down the hall. He’d prove it, too. He’d find Kit, and he’d demand that she stop spending time with Iversley. Then he’d take her in his arms and—

A muffled noise from one of the nearby rooms broke into his thoughts. Curious, he approached the door—the only closed one in the hall—and peered through the little window to the inside.

His heart stopped. Iversley was kissing Kit. Anger surged through Sydney. How dared that blackguard touchhisKit?

Sydney opened the door. He would put a stop to the man’s insolent attentions.

Then he caught sight of Kit’s arms, looped about Iversley’s shoulders, clinging to his neck. She was kissing the man back. And when Iversley moved to kiss her neck and her ear, her face showed pure rapture—her eyes were closed and her lips were parted and she looked as if she’d finally found heaven.

And Sydney felt…nothing. No surge of jealousy, no outrage…nothing.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. The sight of such passionate fervor made him wish he were the object of it. He was envious.

And to his horror, it wasn’t Iversley he envied.

***

“Unhand the lady, you blackguard!”

As the words penetrated the sensual spell Alec wove around her, Katherine shoved him away. Dreading what she would see, she turned her gaze slowly to the door.

Lord preserve her, it was Sydney! How much had he witnessed? Had he been here when Alec removed his hand from her bodice a few moments ago? Judging from his furious expression, he might have been.

Except that his fury seemed directed more at Alec than at her.

Alec turned, too, his expression carefully controlled. “Good afternoon, Lovelace.” Not “This isn’t what you think,” or “Sorry, Lovelace, didn’t mean to steal your woman.” Then again, Alec was always honest about his desires.

What was she going to do? Sydney would never forgive her for this, never.

Like an avenging angel, her friend stalked up to them. “Dash it all, Iversley, you have no right to kiss her!”

Relief coursed through Katherine. Sydney had only seen their kiss, thank goodness.

“I’ve as much right as you,old chum,”Alec shot back. “As long as the lady doesn’t protest my kisses, our activities don’t concern you.”

“Kisses?” Sydney’s gaze shot to her. “You let this scoundrel kiss you more than once?”

This was her chance to proclaim Alec a liar, to say she had been forced.

But she couldn’t. Even though Alec’s grim expression showed he half expected her to, she couldn’t speak such a lie. It might save her pride, but it would compel Sydney to defend her honor, which was unthinkable. Men of action like Alec were inevitably good shots.

“Lord Iversley,” she whispered, “would you give me a moment alone with Sir Sydney?”

Alec searched her face, surprise flickering in his eyes. Then he nodded grimly. “I’ll go see to the horses.” He strode out past Sydney, who glared at him every step of the way.

As Alec’s footsteps receded down the hall, Sydney approached her. “Dash it all, have you lost your mind? What are you thinking, to let that man kiss you?”

An odd speech for a man who should be jealous. He sounded more like an overprotective brother than a lover.