The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

“We shall wait outside so her ladyship can catch her breath.” Jack led Tessa outside to the front step. “Very good so far, Lady Stanhope.”

“Go to the devil, you overbearing bastard,” she whispered.

“No doubt I shall.” At least she had stopped slurring her words. Hopefully, the cool air would help clear the alcohol from her mind.

Jack closed his eyes for a long moment, all the while, still clasping her elbow. The scent of her perfume swirled around him, arousing him in a deep lustful way that he wanted to ignore but couldn’t. How could he still want her when he knew she’d lied to him? Now he would have to sit with her in an enclosed carriage for the drive back to his brother’s home. As the carriage rolled to a stop in front of them, he wondered how he would manage.

“Come along,” he said, giving her elbow a quick squeeze.

“I am,” she muttered. “There is no need to be rough.”

Rough was exactly what he needed. Quick, rough, and satisfying. Damn her. “Tell the driver, through the park.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jack clambered in after her. Not completely certain of her feelings, he took the seat across from her. As the carriage rolled off, he whispered, “Come over here, Tessa.”

Her blue eyes glared at him in the dim light of the carriage “I hardly think so, Mr. Raynerson. In fact, I believe you should take me straight home.”

“No.”

“No? That is all you can say? I dare say you are inconveniencing me. I would like to return home now.” She crossed her arms over her chest, accentuating the fullness of her breasts.

“You and I will make love tonight, Tessa,” he said softly. “It is up to you whether we do so now, or after you tell me why you lied to me.”

She laughed. “I am certainly not about to let you make love to me in a carriage.”

“The things you still have to learn,” he muttered. “Very well, why don’t you tell me why you lied to me?” He knocked on the roof of the carriage to signal the driver. As the tiger opened the carriage, Jack said, “Tell the driver I have changed my mind and to return home now.”

“And the lady?” the tiger asked hesitantly.

“She will be joining me.” Jack sat back and watched her face darken with storm clouds. He heard the door to the coach close softly and then they were off again. Silence filled the carriage as she sat across from him fuming. Thankfully, the trip back to his brother’s home was swift, uneventful...and extremely quiet.

As they reached his brother’s house, Jack climbed down and then offered his hand to assist her. She took his hand only for the brief moment it took to reach the ground. When he tried to clasp her elbow to escort her inside, she yanked her arm out of his grip.

Bentley opened the door and while Jack noticed a fleeting look of surprise, the reserved butler quickly recovered. “Good evening, sir. I see you have company. Would you like tea?”

“Yes,” he said and then clasped Tessa’s elbow in a tight grip.

“Wine,” she replied. “I would like a glass of wine.”

Jack debated the merits of giving her anything more to drink but decided to let her have a glass, hoping it would loosen her tongue. And her lust. He’d never met a woman who could confound him and still provoke such desire in him. It was a heady combination that threatened his mental capacity. “And a bottle of wine, Bentley.”

“As you wish, sir. Will there be anything else?”

“No, Bentley. Go to bed but leave a footman at the door until I dismiss him.”

“Of course, sir.”

Jack led Tessa into the intimate family salon on the first floor. This small room was meant

only for receiving family or very close friends. While he wasn’t sure she was either, he preferred this room to the main salon.

She walked into the room and smiled. “What a pretty room. Did your mother fashion it?”

“No, my sister-in-law. She has exquisite taste.”

“Yes, she does.” Tessa walked to the white floral sofa and sat down. “Now, what should we converse about while waiting for our drinks?”