The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

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Jack spent the night ignoring the burning desire to see Tessa once more, knowing that after tomorrow she would hate him forever. And he couldn’t blame her. Deep in his heart, he was certain this was the right thing to do. He could never offer her anything more than what he was right now and it wasn’t enough for her. She deserved far better than a man everyone would believe was a fortune hunter. Once he’d cleared her reputation of any purported curse, he imagined she would have a line of suitors at her door.

And that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

And a horrible ache in his heart.

They had never truly discussed their feelings for each other, but how could they? Knowing someone less than a fortnight rarely led to love. So why was he certain he loved her? It made no sense to his logical mind. She’d lied to him several times. Of course, only to protect her family. And yet, when she looked at him, he felt a need to protect her. To make sure she was safe from harm. Dammit, he wanted to give her the one thing she wanted more than anything—children. He wanted her to be the mother of his children.

Putting her at risk in this manner meant losing it all. But it also meant saving her, which left him no choice in the matter. He felt as if someone had stabbed him in the heart and was twisting the knife bit by bit.

He had been through every strategy for the morning but none made it any easier. If he thought for one moment that she would believe his evidence against the duke, then perhaps he could let her in on their plan. But she would deny the evidence and defend the killer wanting to believe the best in him.

As he dressed to see her, he looked in the mirror at his haggard face and wanted to call off the plan. But he couldn’t. Everything was in place with Downing and the magistrate. Now it was time to execute it.

He arrived at her home at eight knowing she would be up and dressed but most likely still in her bedchamber, at least according to Roberts. The rope was in his leather bag, along with the vial. Roberts opened the door with a grimace on his face.

“Morning, sir,” the butler said quietly. “The servants have been told to leave the house until afternoon.”

“Thank you. Mr. Downing should arrive soon. Please escort him up to her bedchamber.” Jack walked each step with leaden feet. By the time he reached the top step, he wanted to run back down and race out of the house. Instead, he forced himself to continue to her room where he entered without knocking.

“Jack! What are you doing up here?” Tessa exclaimed as he walked into the room and shut the door. She rose out of the seat by her small desk and gave him a hesitant smile.

If he had the key to her room, this might go a little easier. “I had to see you,” he said as he stepped closer. The scent of her jasmine perfume reminded him of the first night he met her.

“Why?” she asked softly.

“I don’t believe we have finished our lessons.” He pulled the rope out of his bag with a forced smile.

“What is that for?”

“If I remember correctly, you took great interest when I remarked about tying you to the bed.”

She glanced about the room. “Jack, it’s eight in the morning. We cannot do this right now.”

“The servants are out doing errands.” He stepped closer and then pulled her against him.

She looked up at him with desire in her blue eyes. “I thought we had agreed to stop this affair.”

“I don’t believe I agreed to such a thing.” He moved his lips to hers and kissed her quickly knowing if he lingered too long, he would never go through with this plan. “Come stand by the bed, Tessa.”

“You’re all I could think of last night,” she murmured as they walked closer to the bed.

“I thought of nothing else either,” he whispered in her ear. He had her up against a bedpost. “Now, put your hands behind you.”

With a seductive smile, she followed his order. He moved away from her warmth and tied the rope around her wrists.

“It’s a little tight,” she complained.

“It’s supposed to be.” He moved to a chair across the room and sat to wait for Downing. Seeing her like this was killing him.

“Now what?” she asked.

“We wait.”

“For what? Aren’t you supposed to be taking off your clothing?” Confusion lined her face. “Or mine?”

“It might look a little odd if I am naked when Mr. Downing arrives.” He pulled out his pocket watch and silently cursed. Where was the man?