Baron of Blasphemy (Lords of Scandal 12)

Her face was just above his, her breast pressed up against his collarbone. It was delightful. “In that case, you’ll be waiting for a very long time. I shan’t grant permission.”

He wanted to growl in frustration. Then again, he wanted to rumble in awareness. Her insistence that she wouldn’t relent only made him more frustrated. And somehow, made her more attractive.

He’d spent his life trying to gain affection from the family who’d denied him. Why was he such a masochist that he’d do the same with her? “You will.” But perhaps that was his folly after all.

“Why are you so certain?”

He smiled up at her. “Because. Everyone wishes to set the terms. I’m giving you that opportunity now.”

Her lips parted in surprise before she pressed them shut. “My first term is that you put me down.”

He smiled, lightly placing her back on her feet. “See? We’re getting somewhere.”

She placed her arm back in his elbow. “I can only assume you will have terms too?”

He slipped back through the hedge, leading them toward the light spilling onto the terrace from the party. The truth was, he had very few.

She wed him…that was the first.

Beyond that, he hadn’t planned the sort of marriage his friends had. He’d planned to fulfill his obligations to the title, then return to his former way of life.

The trouble was…he was having a hard time picturing any woman in his bed besides her. And then he pictured another man visiting hers and he stopped along the path as anger rippled through him.

“Terms?” he rumbled. “I’ve a few.”

She drew in a breath as though she was going to respond but something else caught his attention.

Bash stood in the doorway scanning the terrace as though looking for someone. Who?

Was it him? Had he been gone too long? He was bloody bad at being a gentleman. He started forward again. “Bash is looking for someone. We’d better go see what’s going on.”

“Agreed,” she answered as she lifted her skirts. “I hope everything is all right.”

They were about to find out…

Chapter Five

Abigail’s heart sped up in her chest as Bash’s gaze caught hers. He gave a quick jerk of his hand, indicating that she should hurry over.

Chad placed his hand at her waist again as they rushed to Bash’s side.

His mouth was drawn in a tight, hard line as they approached.

“Bash,” Chad started, a wince pulling at his features. “I can explain—”

“Later.” Bash slashed a hand through the air. “Dishonor was taking Emily home and their carriage was attacked. Even now, he’s rerouting to the docks. He and Emily are leaving the city.”

Abigail gasped. Her sister was leaving? Panic squeezed her chest. “Attacked? Attacked how?”

“The details were short and few, but the danger is…” He grimaced. “You were right, Abby. This night was a mistake.”

Her eyes widened to hear her brother-in-law say it and she experienced a moment’s satisfaction. She was rarely told her answers were right.

But then his next words left her cold.

“But unfortunately, that leaves us with precious few choices now.”

Her stomach dropped even as her heart began to pound, blood thrumming through her veins. Oh no. She knew what that meant. “No.” The single word dropped from her lips even as Chad pulled her closer.