A Little Bit Wild (York Family 1)

Edward was the first to recover, and he wasn't showing even a hint of amusement when he aimed his glare at her. "Christ almighty, Marissa, this had damn well better be a joke."

She wished it was. If only everyone in the room found it as amusing as Jude did. "It was years ago, Edward."

His mouth opened, and his throat worked, but no words came out. She suddenly wished he were yelling. Aidan took care of that for him.

"Well, it's a damned good thing you have a fiancé, Marissa York, because it's clear you'll have to marry! With that many men under your skirts, it's a wonder you haven't been revealed before now!"

Her throat tightened at the disgust in his words. "Charles and I were in love. You should be able to understand that, Aidan."

>

Her brother's eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared, but he managed to hold on to his temper for once. "Charles. Charles LeMont?"

She dipped her chin in a faint nod.

"Didn't he marry three years ago?"

"It was arranged by his family. He didn't want the match."

"So," Aidan growled, "you told yourself it was all right to have an affair with a married man?"

"Aidan York!" she yelped, jumping to her feet. "I never would. Charles and I were in love before his betrothal, and we... we... it's possible we got a touch carried away when we were saying good-bye. And who are you to toss around such judgment, anyway?"

Edward said her name as a warning, but she shook it off.

"Oh, let's all stop treating him as if he were made of glass. He hates that anyway, or so he claims."

Her mother gave a little wail and collapsed hack onto the couch.

"Oh, Mother," Marissa sighed, though she was beginning to think she might try fainting herself. Because right now, she was standing in the center of an awkward mob, and they were all looking at her as if she were a monster.

Marissa slumped. "I'm—"

But Aidan cut off her apology. "Oh, for god's sake, she's right. Somebody else had better step in here, because I haven't got a moral leg to stand on."

Cousin Harry coughed uncomfortably, and everyone else shifted.

"Regardless," she finally continued, "I'm sure it's not Charles. He's never been anything but kind to me."

"Kind," Edward muttered, but Aidan was the one to hold up his hand.

"And FitzWilliam Hess?"

"I don't know. I can't imagine it, considering his reputation."

"That's true," Harry volunteered. "He's quite the tomcat."

Marissa was sure she should've felt insulted, but all she could think was that it was no wonder he was popular with the ladies of the ton, with his skills. Still, Jude was more impressive.

As if drawn by her immodest thoughts, Jude reentered the study with a sheepish raise of his brow. "Apologies," he murmured. "Something caught in my throat." He glanced beyond Marissa's shoulder. "Is your mother well?"

"Yes," she answered without looking. Her mother-moaned pitifully.

"So," he said brightly. "What's been decided?"

Edward dropped into his chair. "Your betrothal is no longer a charade." "Ah. Lovely."

"Beyond that," Edward sighed, "things have gotten a bit complicated."