Page 23 of The Duke's Second Bride

“But that isn’t what people believe. Not from what I’ve heard. Or from the rumors I have started myself.”

Her gaze snapped open.

He only chuckled. “You know, I don’t blame you, Ava, for everything that went wrong in that marriage between you and William. My older brother was too pigheaded to see that some women simply are not cut out to be wives. You, for instance, I think you’d be much more at home as a mistress.”

“Stay back,” she warned him, “or I will scream, I swear it.”

“That will hardly help your reputation,” he observed. “Come now, Ava. If people are going to believe you and I are living in sin, then don’t you think we might as well reap the benefits? And if not, then I’m certain you won’t mind if I were to take away your house and your allowance. Without a mistress, I would have need of the money elsewhere.”

“You are vile,” she spat.

He was right, she knew. If she screamed, and people were to find them, then the rumors would increase tenfold, and with proof this time. More so, without her home and her allowance, she would be out on the streets, with nowhere to go.

She could not defy Brandon, and yet she could not bear to acquiesce to his demands, either.

So, she did the only thing she could think to do: she ran.

She had scarcely made it two steps when he caught her by the wrist, pulling her toward him and pushing her back into the column.

She cried out at the twin pains of her nails digging into her wrist and her head slamming against the marble.

Despite her struggles, Brandon managed to pin her. “Come now,” he said, gritting his teeth with the effort it took to keep her held in one place across the marble. “If you are sweet enough togive me just a taste, I might even consider rewarding you with a bonus to your next upcoming allowance.”

“Let me go!” Ava hissed and continued to kick and pull against him, turning her face this way and that so that he could not kiss her.

Brandon managed to get both of her wrists in one of his hands.

Oh God, her mind screamed,no no no no!

As she pulled and bucked, he reached the other hand down to her ankle, feeling at the hem of her skirts.

“Such soft skin,” he said, smirking as his hand grazed her leg, “I bet you’re even softer between these lovely legs.”

Just as he was about to lift his hand upward?—

He was suddenly pulled off of her.

It took Ava a few blinks to recognize her rescuer. That dark hair, those sharp features, and the clear, impassioned eyes now filled with rage.

The Duke of Richmond.

Brandon seemed to be having the same moment of recognition. “Richmond?” he asked.

A split-second later, the Duke socked him in the jaw.

Ava’s hands flew to her mouth, though she was frozen in place. She made no move to help either Brandon or the Duke.

“Stay away from her,” growled the Duke.

Brandon, having stumbled backwards with a hand pressed to his cheek, looked at him in awe and terror.

“Have you gone mad, man?” He stepped forward, hands raised as though to indicate he meant no harm. “There is no reason for you to be here, I assure you! This is a matter between the lady and me.”

The Duke stepped forward, blocking Brandon’s efforts to approach Ava.

“Stay away from her,” he repeated, more firmly than before.

Brandon looked back and forth between Ava and the Duke.