To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars 2)

Tension vibrated between the two men. Drew looked ready to have the earl’s blood, but his tone was low and deceptively controlled when he spoke. “Only touch her again and you won’t see another dawn.”

At the threat, Roslyn gasped while Haviland’s eyes narrowed sharply. “You are laboring under a misapprehension, Arden-”

Drew cut him off. “Spare your breath unless you have a death wish. Now I’ll thank you to take your leave.”

The earl stiffened, his eyes suddenly snapping with fury. For a moment, Roslyn remained speechless, too stunned and mortified to countermand Drew’s order, but then she finally found her voice. “Your grace, that is quite enough!”

Haviland shifted his gaze to glance at her. Although restraining his own wrath, he clearly wasn’t inclined to leave her defenseless and alone with the duke. “Will you be all right?”

“Yes…I am certain I will. Thank you for the invitation, my lord.”

“Very well-but I am just next door if you need me. Good day, Miss Loring.”

With a bow, Haviland turned and strode off.

When the earl had let himself out of the gate, leaving Roslyn alone with Drew, she whirled on him. “What, may I ask, brought on that abominable display of manners? You do not have leave to dismiss my guests, or to threaten them!”

“It was no threat. I meant every word.”

Roslyn stared at Drew in disbelief. “Have you taken leave of your senses?”

“Not in the least. You’re still enamored of him, and I won’t stand for it.”

His tone was cold, without inflection, but she felt her own ire rise. “You won’t stand for what, Drew?”

“Your trysts with Haviland.”

“My…trysts?” Her mouth dropped open. She would have sputtered in indignation except that she was too stunned. “You actually think I might be engaged in an illicit affair with Lord Haviland? When I am betrothed to you?”

“I doubt our betrothal would prove an impediment.”

She was shocked that Drew would believe her capable of such betrayal. “You think I could make love to you the way we did last night and then turn around and…What kind of cold-blooded woman do you take me for?”

His expression turned hooded. “You wouldn’t be the first to pretend interest in me, only to have another lover waiting in the wings.”

“How dare you?” Roslyn whispered. “How dare you accuse me of such perfidy? I have far more honor than that.”

“Do you?”

She felt as if he’d slapped her. The breath left her lungs, while a sudden ache burned her throat. “If you have such a poor reading of my character…” With effort, she swallowed and turned away. “I refuse to discuss this any further-”

“Don’t walk away from me, Roslyn!”

At his fierce explosion, Roslyn jumped and came to a halt. She was suddenly shaking, but she forced herself to glance back at him. “You have no right to command me. I am not your possession, nor am I your mistress whose services you have purchased.”

“I do so have a right.” Drew took a step toward her, his jaw clenched. “And I want an answer now. Do you love that bastard?”

“I beg your pardon?” Roslyn demanded, flinching at the derogatory label.

“Haviland…do you love him?”

“My feelings for him are none of your concern!”

“They bloody well are my concern! We are betrothed, or had you forgotten?”

Her hands curled into fists. “Our betrothal is only temporary, for the sake of appearance.”

“There is nothing temporary about it. You will wed me, Roslyn.”