Page 19 of Charlotte's Kisses
No introduction was needed. His voyeur had to be Lady Chesterhill. His earlier suspicions were confirmed. No way in hell would he have bedded her. Ever! And not because she was unattractive. Nay, she was lovely in a terrifying way. It was just that she was…well, for lack of a better word,Terrifying,with a capitalT.
Leon stood beside the door, staring high into the far corner, the expression on his face unreadable.
Hugh was not easily intimidated, and he always spoke his mind. “Well, I just awoke to find the woman who hired thugs to beat me to a bloody pulp breathing all over me.” He also refused to play games. “Let’s get this over with. What do you want from me, Lady Chesterhill?”
“So, you know who I am?”
“Your reputation precedes you, my lady.”
Her soulless blue eyes darkened as she placed her fingertip on his cheek. “Oh, my. Does this hurt?” She pushed on what must be a bruise.
Hugh hissed from the pain.
She could hammer on every one of his injuries; he would not kowtow. He was an angry, violent fuck. He would never hit a woman, but he would find ways to take away her will to live, and he’d enjoy every second of it. He met her Catherine de Medici death stare with his best Mephistophelian smirk.
They engaged in their battle of wills until she broke eye contact and sat in the chair next to his bed.
“Even with the swelling and bruises, you are more handsome than I anticipated.” She licked her lips and rubbed her hands together as if she were contemplating world domination. “I suppose that will make my plan more enjoyable.”
She and her plan could bugger off.
“I know my husband hired you to find his bastards.”
How did she know that? Wasn’t Hugh’s involvement a secret? However, how confidential could it be with him quartering on Chesterhill’s property? Still, he remained stone-faced. This woman was not to be trusted, and he would not provide her with a single nugget of information.
“I want you to come to me before you go to Lord Chesterhill,” she declared with such confidence it was obvious she expected Hugh to agree.
“Why in the blazes would I do that?”
“Because if you do not, the rumor of our long-ago love affair will circulate.”
Already having worked through the unlikely scenario, Hugh’s panic only lasted a moment. He’d never slept with this woman. His cock may easily be led astray, but never by wenches with cold-evil eyes. Not with all of the libations in the world.
“I have never tupped you, my lady. I do not favor Satan’s mignonettes.”
She smiled—if the disturbing upward turn of her lips could be considered a smile. “That does not matter.”
“I beg your pardon, but you are the one who stands to lose a fortune if your husband thinks you’ve bedded ayoungerman beneath your station. Much younger.”
Yes,younger. Let the vicious serpent chew on that. He flashed her a toothy grin laced with venom.
She leaped from her seat, and her palm cracked Hugh’s cheek so hard his head flew to the side.
He stoically sucked up the sting and chuckled. Damn, did he understand human nature. She was jealous of Charlotte’s youth and beauty. Probably of any woman who was a recipient of the attention she thought she deserved.
“Bring the information to me, you insignificant rodent, unless you want my stepdaughter to hear of our affair.” She flashed her incisors. “I know Charlotte favors you. I know everything that goes on in this house.”
Whatever she planned to do with this information would be duplicitous as Hades. “Fuck you,” Hugh growled.
“Charlotte will also hear about the kiss we just shared.”
He snorted. “What kiss?”
Without warning—and with demon-like speed—the marchioness pounced. She landed on top of him and pressed her mouth to his. Her lips were ice cold, and she was so thin her bones sliced into his skin. Her serpent-like tongue shot out to lick his cheek.
As weak as he currently was, he conjured enough strength to push her away. He frantically wiped where her lips and tongue had left a trail of putrid slime.
“Leon, what did you just witness?” she called to the Cape guarding the door.
