Page 12 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke
“Lady Jane,” he cut her off, “this is a serious matter. Far more serious than propriety.”
Jane gulped. Yes, this was a man, standing alone with her in the parlor. Yes, this would cause a big scandal if it came out.
But Colin was missing. Her engagement had been broken.
Jane needed something, anything to help with this situation. Even if it came in the form of this dark stranger.
After a moment, Jane gestured toward a chair. “Very well.”
He sat.
Though, somehow, it felt less like a guest accepting hospitality and more like a commander occupying territory.
Jane looked toward the butler. “Please, bring His Grace some tea.”
The duke immediately shook his head. “No tea.”
Jane arched a brow. “No tea?”
“No.” Silence stretched. Then he added, “I would prefer total privacy.”
Jane nearly laughed. “Total privacy?”
The duke didn’t blink. “Yes.”
“At one o’clock in the morning.”
“Correct.”
“In my house.”
“Also correct.”
Jane stared at him.
He stared back.
The audacity was remarkable. “You cannot seriously expect me to dismiss my butler.”
“I only intend to speak to you.”
“That is hardly the point,” Jane said. She felt like she might be delirious from lack of sleep and the shock of the evening.
A flicker of amusement appeared in his eyes. It vanished almost immediately. “I assure you, Lady Jane, your reputation is safe.”
“My reputation stopped being safe the moment armed men shot up my engagement party,” she said.
The duke inclined his head, as though he was conceding the point. “Fair.”
Jane glanced between him and the butler. Then she sighed. “Very well.”
The butler looked scandalized. “My lady…” he began.
“I’ll be fine,” Jane insisted.
Reluctantly, he bowed and withdrew. The door shut behind him. Immediately, the room felt smaller and more intimate. Jane disliked that sensation. She folded her hands tightly in her lap.
“You are risking my reputation further by being here.”
