Page 78 of In the Prince's Bed

She gaped at him. “That’s it?That’sthe horrible act that got him banished to Portugal?”

“I don’t know about Portugal, but it got him kicked out of Harrow.”

She laughed. She couldn’tstoplaughing. Considering all the awful crimes she’d imagined, she’d never guessed it could be something so silly.

Sydney was scowling. “It’s not funny, you know. There was a terrible furor over it. All the boys got in trouble, and Iversley’s father hauled him off, swearing he would thrash him when he got him home.”

She sobered. His father had done far worse than thrash him, judging from the wistfulness in Alec’s voice whenever he spoke of his mother.

The waltz was ending, so Sydney took her arm to lead her from the floor. “Promise me you won’t make any hasty decisions about Iversley, Kit.”

She sighed. It was time to tell him that she’d agreed to marry the man. And she didn’t relish his reaction.

The voice of Lady Purefoy’s butler suddenly sounded over the crowd, announcing a new arrival. “The Right Honorable The Earl of Iversley.”

She started and turned as the crowd murmured around her.

And no wonder. The man descending the steps didn’t look like an earl or even a lord. Instead of evening attire, Alec wore a rumpled frock coat of olive green, buckskin trousers, and top boots caked with mud. His raven hair was mussed, and his chin looked as if it hadn’t seen a razor in days.

Such an ungentlemanly appearance would have roused comment anywhere, but at a party as elegant as Lady Purefoy’s, it sparked loudly voiced disapproval.

Alec paid it no heed, striding into the ballroom with a dark gaze that warned everyone off. When at last his gaze settled on her, Katherine felt a sudden thrill of fear. Because while no one else in the ballroom might realize it, Alec was furious.

And judging from the direction of his glare, his anger was all for her.

Chapter Nineteen

Sometimes a rake should simply act on instinct.

—Anonymous,A Rake’s Rhetorick

When Alec spotted Katherine on Lovelace’s arm he saw red, and no amount of rational thought could rein in his thundering temper.

Never mind thathe’dbeen the one to let the time get away from him while touring his half brother’s fascinating estate. Never mind that she had every right to dance with whomever she pleased.

According to Katherine’s manservant, she’d letLovelacebring her and her mother here. She was letting Lovelace squire her about now, as if Alec had never existed…as if she hadn’t agreed to marry him a mere two days ago.

He wouldn’t stand for it.

As he approached, Lovelace stepped between them, surveying Alec with clear contempt. “So you’ve finally dragged yourself out of whatever hole you were wallowing in? You ought to be ashamed, embarrassing Miss Merivale like this.”

Katherine stepped out from behind Lovelace, looking distinctly uncomfortable. “That’s enough, Sydney.”

“Yes, ‘Sydney,’ ” Alec echoed snidely. “Why don’t you stay out of it? This is between me and my betrothed.”

“B-Betrothed?” Lovelace stammered.

Alec’s gaze narrowed on Katherine, whose blush confirmed why Lovelace looked confused. Alec’s temper went into full stampede. “Yes. Miss Merivale has agreed to marry me, a little fact she apparently forgot to tell you.”

Katherine glared at him. “I was about to do that, my lord.”

“Aren’t you glad I spared you the trouble?” With a scowl, he held out his arm. “And now, madam, I’d like a word with you.”

“See here—” Lovelace began.

“It’s all right, Sydney.” With a little lift of her chin, Katherine took Alec’s arm. “I’d like a word with his lordship, myself.”

They marched across the ballroom as people stared and whispered around them. Damn. He and Katherine would get no privacy here. And he wanted privacy for this little talk.