Zachary Black: Duke of Debauchery (Dangerous Dukes 2)

‘I am leaving, of course,’ she answered his earlier question flatly. ‘I presume informing me of André’s death was the reason you wished to speak with me today?’ She arched cool brows.

There was such a coolness about her, a distance, that frustrated Zachary intensely. Had he been wrong, misread the situation completely, and Georgianna did indeed still have feelings for the man who had once been her lover?

‘You should know I have absolutely no regrets concerning Rousseau’s death,’ he assured through gritted teeth. Wolfingham had no cause for regrets in the matter, either, had merely been defending himself when Rousseau met his end. If Rousseau had not died, then Wolfingham assuredly would have, and that was totally unacceptable to Zachary. ‘A friend of mine was also grievously wounded that night.’

Georgianna frowned slightly. ‘Wolfingham?’

‘Yes.’

‘But he lives still?’

‘No thanks to your friend Rousseau.’

‘He was never my friend.’ Her eyes glittered, with the fierceness of her anger as well as unshed tears. ‘I must go.’

‘Georgianna!’

She gave a fierce shake of her head. ‘We have nothing left to talk about, Hawksmere.’

Addressing him as Hawksmere was indication enough of how Georgianna now felt towards him, the cold dismissal in her tone only adding to that obvious disdain.

And pride, though a cold bedfellow, was preferable to Zachary having his further pleas for her understanding rejected out of hand. ‘I will see you again this evening, when I accompany you and Jeffrey to Lady Colchester’s musical soirée.’

Georgianna gave a shake of her head. ‘I am not sure I feel well enough to attend.’

‘You most certainly will attend, Georgianna.’ Zachary grated harshly. ‘Not only will you attend, but you will also give every appearance of enjoyment in the enterprise. In appearing at my side, along with Jeffrey, as my two wards.’

She raised her chin in challenge. ‘I am sure you know me well enough by now, Hawksmere, to know that I shall not be bullied into doing anything I do not wish to do, by you or anyone else.’

His jaw tightened, eyes glittering dangerously. ‘Nevertheless, it was planned for this evening to be your first appearance back into society, following your period of mourning. As such, as your guardian, I must insis

t that you accompany Jeffrey and me.’

She looked across at him searchingly, knowing by the coldness in Zachary’s eyes, the bleakness of his expression and the nerve pulsing in the tightness of his jaw, that he meant exactly what he said. Nor could she deny the importance of her appearance at Lady Colchester’s tonight, following what many in society believed to have been the ending of her engagement to Hawksmere and her term of mourning her father. ‘We shall see,’ she finally answered noncommittally.

This young woman would surely be the death of him, Zachary acknowledged impatiently. Either that, or he might go quietly and completely insane.

How could it be that just a few moments ago the two of them had been so enjoyably making love together, as close as any two people could be—certainly as close as Zachary had been to any woman—and now they were as distant as they had been ten months ago? More so, for then Zachary had not really known what it was to be close to Georgianna, had never so much as even spoken to her; now he knew exactly what, and who, he would be losing when she walked out of his life for a second time.

The woman he had come to admire above all others.

Georgianna.

Georgia.

Chapter Thirteen

‘I do believe you are alarming our poor hostess with the darkness of your scowls, Zachary,’ an amused voice drawled beside him as Zachary stood near one of the windows in Lady Colchester’s music room during a break in the entertainments.

His eyes widened as he turned to look at Wolfingham. ‘Should you be out and about when you are still recovering from a bullet wound to your shoulder?’

‘It would look decidedly odd if I were absent from society for any length of time. Besides which, needs must, I am afraid.’ Wolfingham gave a grimace.

‘Oh?’

His friend nodded abruptly. ‘I do not suppose you have seen anything of my little brother this evening?’

Zachary’s brows rose. ‘Should I have done?’ As far as he was aware, young Lord Anthony Hunter had been fortunate enough not to have put in even a nominal appearance at Lady Colchester’s musical soirée. Not unless he had arrived and left before Zachary and his party arrived.