One did not need to be skilled in reading subtext to know thi
s couple shared a tumultuous history.
“And what would a lady need to do to melt the frost around your heart, Mr Cole?” Lady Adair said, adding emphasis to the point that she had not used his given name.
Mr Cole was about to answer, but the arrival of Lord Benham seized his attention.
Eva recoiled as panic rose like a tidal wave ready to engulf her.
Lord Benham was not a handsome man. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Looking into his eyes was like looking into the bottomless pit of a well. Cold and dark and dank. He bore the nose of a tyrant, hooked, long and dreadfully ugly. His mouth would be his redeeming feature were it not drawn tight into a cynical line.
Mr Cole turned to Lady Adair, who had undoubtedly hurt him at some point in his life. “Can I trust you to stay with Miss Dunn for a moment?”
“Of course. That is why you summoned me.”
“Do not let her out of your sight.”
Eva watched Lord Benham bull his way through the crowd. She hoped to shrink back into the fireplace, to get lost amongst the soot and coals. But Lady Adair had an inherent beauty that captured every man’s eye. Indeed, Benham glanced in their direction, his lifeless eyes widening as their gazes locked.
That vicious mouth twitched.
If only Mr Ashwood were here. In his company, she felt invincible. Had she explained the whole story, he would not have left her to face this devil alone. But she could not hide from the wicked creature forever. She had sought professional help to bring an end to her nightmares. And yet she couldn’t help but think her nightmares had only just begun.
Chapter 9
Despite Mr Cole’s cunning effort to extract information from Lord Benham, he returned to the ballroom disappointed and in a devil of a mood. Lady Adair had removed to speak to Lady Cartwright, and so Mr Cole aired his frustration.
“Benham said he saw your brother at the tables in Cockburns a few days ago.” Mr Cole sneered. “Your sibling fled with his coat-tails flapping. Benham is lying through his teeth and knows a damn sight more than he claims.”
“That would not surprise me.” Was Howard playing a game? A game to force her hand? Would he continue to cause her distress until she loosened the purse strings and parted with the full two thousand pounds? “I refer to my brother gambling. Lord Benham is undoubtedly a liar.”
Mr Cole eyed her suspiciously. “Benham asked about the nature of our relationship and seemed annoyed you’re here with me. Jealousy formed the basis of his enquiry.” He paused. “Would you care to elaborate?”
Elaborate!
Eva had banished the memories to the far reaches of her mind. Still, she had made a commitment to deal with her problems, not hide from them.
Elaborate?
There was no easy way to say it. Perhaps a short explanation would suffice.
“Lord Benham tried to bed me during a month’s stay at Briden Castle. He had to bed me to win a bet.” She paused for breath, and to banish the terrible images from her mind. “For three tiring weeks, he did everything in his power to dupe me, to capture me in his snare. It was his sister Clara who confessed to his devious plan.”
“They say Benham always gets what he wants.” Disgust imbued Mr Cole’s tone. “They say he can be extremely persuasive.”
“Deviously so.” Eva shivered at the memory. A lady needed her wits to stay one step ahead. She lowered her voice. “But please, tell me you didn’t speak about Clara’s predicament. The viscount will do anything to keep his sister’s shame a secret.”
“I’m not a fool, Miss Dunn.”
“No.”
“Has it occurred to you that your brother acted out of revenge? That he treated Benham’s sister the way Benham treated you?”
A choked laugh burst from Eva’s lips. She had never heard anything so absurd. “Sir, I can assure you, my brother wouldn’t care if I were carried away by a horde of rampaging Vikings.”
Mr Cole did not share in her amusement.
Nor did anyone else in the room.