Page 15 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“I intend to.” His gaze sharpened. “But I also intend to discover whatyourbrother gotmineinto.”

Outrage flared through her. “There it is,” she scoffed.

The duke arched a brow. “Therewhatis?”

“The accusation.” She took a step towards him. “I knew that was what this was truly about.”

His expression did not change. “You know nothing, my lady.”

“Oh, I know quite enough, Your Grace.” Jane lifted her chin in defiance. “You arrive uninvited in the middle of the night, demand access to my brother’s papers, question his character, and imply that he is somehow responsible for your brother’s disappearance.”

“I implied no such thing.”

“You practically shouted it.”

The duke exhaled slowly. “I am speaking as a man looking for answers.”

“You are speaking as a brother looking for someone to blame.” The words landed harder than she intended.

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then he said quietly, “You think me unfair.”

Jane gave a humorless laugh. “That is the politest description available.”

His brows knitted, and he tilted his head to the side. “You have a very sharp tongue, my lady.”

“So I have been told.”

“I imagine often,” the duke said.

“Only by men who deserve it.”

His mouth twitched.

The duke took a slow step forward. “You speak with remarkable confidence for someone who knows nothing about my brother.”

Jane refused to retreat. “And you speak with remarkable arrogance for someone who knows nothing about mine.”

His eyes darkened. “I have spent years cleaning up after fools.”

“And Colin has spent years managing an earldom.” Jane folded her arms.

“A man can manage an estate and still make foolish decisions.”

Jane scoffed and looked straight at him. “Oh, yes, of that, I’m certainly sure.”

The duke’s eyes narrowed in on her, and heat crawled unexpectedly up her spine.

Good heavens. The man should not have been permitted to possess eyes like that. Or shoulders. Or a voice that sounded as though it belonged in sinful places.

Jane immediately resented herself for the thought.

The duke seemed to notice her brief distraction. His gaze lowered. Just slightly. Enough to make her aware of herself. Enough to make her pulse stumble. Then his eyes lifted again. Slowly. The movement felt entirely inappropriate.

“Careful, Lady Jane.” The words were soft, much softer than before.

Jane’s stomach tightened. “Careful of what?”

“Of assuming you know everything.”