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«No, I’m as done with you as you are with me.» Anthony’s

contemptuous glance passed over Jane. «It seems as if we have

both moved on, although I must say, I didn’t expect you to take

up with a woman.»

Blaize’s expression turned deadly and beside him Jane tensed.

«This isn’t just any woman; this is my wife.»

Anthony’s smile wasn’t pleasant. «You got married to prove a

point?»

Captain Gray cleared his throat. «Sokorvsky...»

Jane stepped forward and placed her hand on Blaize’s arm.

«In truth, we were married a long time ago. Ten years to be

exact.» She lifted her chin and gave Anthony her most open and

engaging smile.

He sighed. «I apologize, ma’am. I let my unruly tongue run

away from me.» He bowed stiffly to Blaize. «And I apologize to

you too, sir.»

«Don’t bother,» Blaize said. «Is Lady Justin Lockwood here

with you tonight?»

Anthony straightened and looked over his shoulder. «Yes, she

is here—why?»

«You haven’t persuaded her to marry you yet, then?»

«That is none of your business.»

Blaize laughed. «Then I assume the answer is no. Not that I

find that surprising.»

«I’m not going to discuss Lady Justin with you, Minshom, so

don’t try to rile me.»

«As if I would.» Blaize nodded and squeezed Jane’s fingers.

«Shall we go and get some refreshments? I understand there is a

most superior buffet set out in the supper room.»

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With expert ease, he drew her away from Anthony Sokorvsky

and past the crowd of gawkers into the next room.

«You don’t need to defend me, Jane.»

His arctic tone made her glance up at him. «Why not? You are

my husband.»

«And I’m quite capable of defending myself.»

«You weren’t the person being insulted.»

«Yes, I was. This wasn’t about you at all and you know it.»

Jane looked away from him and focused on the line of people

moving along the sumptuously laden tables. The smell of the

salmon and the rich cream desserts made her feel slightly

nauseated. «It’s never about me, is it?» She realized she was

somewhere between bursting into tears and slapping his face. «I

thought you brought me here to enjoy myself, not settle old

scores.»

He placed his hand in the small of her back, forcing her to

keep moving. «Then you were mistaken. I never do anything I

don’t want to, Jane.»

«And you don’t wish to be pleasant to me, do you?»

His smile was almost sympathetic, but she could see the anger

and frustration in his gaze. She knew him well enough to tell that

his meeting with Anthony Sokorvsky had shaken him far more

than he would ever admit.

He sighed. «We’ve had this conversation a thousand times. I

want you to go home. Why would I go out of my way to make

your stay here pleasant?»

«Because you promised to attend some normal social

functions with me if I participated in your sexual games.»

He brushed one gloved finger over her lips. «Ssh, do you want

everyone to know our secrets? And by God, you enjoyed even’

minute of our outing. You begged, don’t you remember?»

«That is hardly the point, is it?» She smiled at him, showing

her teeth. «You haven’t fulfilled your part of the bargain.»

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Kate Pearce

His eyebrows rose as he handed her a glass of white wine.

«You’re here, aren’t you?»

She met his gaze. «I refuse to be used as a kicking bag simply

because you can’t have Anthony Sokorvsky.»

«I don’t want him.»

«It didn’t seem that way to me.» Jane thrust the glass back into

his unresisting hand and curtsied. «I’m going to the ladies retiring

room and after that I’m going home. I’m sure you’ll find

someone else to oblige you with a fight, but it won’t be me.»

She walked away from him, struggling to keep the calm smile

on her lips, aware of everyone still staring and whispering. She

was a fool for hoping, for wanting, for needing Blaize to change.

«Lady Minshom?»

She looked up, aware of a large male body blocking her

retreat. It was Anthony Sokorvsky, his expression concerned.

«Are you all right, my lady?»

«I’m fine, my lord. I’m just tired and ready to go home.»

Anthony sighed. «I’m sorry. It was appalling of me to put you

in the crossfire like that. There is something about your husband

that brings out the worst in me.»

She couldn’t look up at him, replied instead to his chest. «It’s

all right, truly. I know how he is.»

«And yet I have upset you and spoiled your evening.» He took

her arm and walked along with her, nodding at his acquaintances,

doing more to restore her reputation in one second than Blaize

would ever do or ever care enough about the opinions of others

to try. They reached the entrance to the ballroom and Jane

withdrew her hand. Despite his kindness, she couldn’t let

Anthony Sokorvsky know how she really felt. She curtsied low

and even managed to smile at him.

«You haven’t ruined my evening. I enjoyed it immensely.

Please give your sister my good wishes for a successful Season.

Good night, my lord.»

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He stared at her for a long moment and then smiled. «I can

see why Lord Minshom married you. You are tremendously

brave.»

«Not really, but thank you for the compliment.»

He bowed low. «The pleasure was all mine. Now, before I

return to the ballroom, can I arrange for your carriage to be

brought round?»

«It isn’t necessary, sir. My servant is down in the hall. I’m sure

he can take care of it for me.»

He nodded. «Then good night, Lady Minshom. I’m glad I met

you. I’m beginning to think that with a champion like you there

might be some glimmer of hope for your husband after all.»

Robert lounged in the cavernous hallway, his back against a

black-and-white marble pillar, his gaze fixed on a hideous portrait

of an old lady with fifteen pug dogs surrounding her. He hadn’t

settled on fifteen yet. Every time he examined the picture he

spotted another of the little buggers lurking in the drapery.

Minshom’s dismissal hadn’t bothered him, although the ride

to the mansion clinging to the outside of the ponderous coach

had proved somewhat cold. In truth, he wasn’t sure how he felt

about his master at the moment, was even relieved not to have to

face him. And Minshom knew him far too well for such unruly

thoughts to be hidden and would only exploit them, drive him

into a corner, reduce him to begging again.

Robert sighed. Why couldn’t he just leave? Hadn’t he paid his

dues fifty times over?

«Does anyone know a Captain David Gray?» The footman’s

voice shattered Robert’s musing. «There is an urgent message for

him.»

Robert put up his hand. «I know him.»

The footman looked relieved. «Can you take this note to him

immediately? I’d prefer not to have to announce this to

everyone.»

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Kate Pearce

Robert took the note and headed up the wide staircase,

ignoring the occasional look of surprise or deliberate sneers at his

somber attire from the invited guests. He had to help didn’t he?

He couldn’t pretend he didn’t know Captain Gray when there

was obviously an emergency.

He spotted the captain almost as soon as he entered the

ballroom and hastened to his side.

«Captain Gray.»

His lover—his ex-lover—turned around slowly as if bracing

himself against the sound of Robert’s voice.

«Yes?» For the first time, there was no hint of warmth in

David’s face, no indication that they were anything more than

master and servant. Robert concealed his immediate pang of

hurt. He’d told David to leave him alone, had begged him to, in

fact, so why should he hate it?

Robert bowed. «I apologize for interrupting, Captain, but I

was asked to deliver an urgent message to you.» He handed over

the sealed note and stepped back.

«Thank you.» There was no inflection in David’s voice as he

turned back into the circle of his acquaintances, leaving Robert

standing alone. God, it stung to have to walk away, to not have

the privilege of asking what was wrong, of offering his help.

Robert made his way back down the stairs and took up his

previous position by the marble pillar. At least Lord Minshom

hadn’t seen his humiliation—that was one thing to be grateful

for. He glanced up at the entrance to the ballroom and saw

Captain Gray descending the stairs with great speed. He couldn’t

help stepping into the light and into his path.

«Are you all right, Captain?»

David looked at him and swallowed hard. «Apparently my

father has suffered another stroke. I’ve been ordered to attend

his bedside. He is not expected to live.»

Robert touched his arm. «I’m sorry. Can I do anything to

help?»

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Briefly, David’s hand sought his and squeezed hard. «No, I

thank you. Just pray for him.»

«I will do that, sir.» Robert hesitated. «Are you sure you do not

need me to accompany you? You seem a little shaken.»

«Thank you for the offer, but I’m fine.» David’s smile was

fleeting but meant the world to Robert. « Good night.»

Robert watched him leave and fiercely contemplated his

choices. If he’d been brave enough, he would have the right to

comfort Captain Gray, to hold him in his arms and tell him that

everything was in God’s hands. But he didn’t have that right, did

he? He’d squandered it with his obsession with Minshom.

God, he wanted to follow David more than he wanted to

breathe. He took a step toward the door and then another.

«Robert?»

He made the mistake of looking back, saw Lady Minshom

coming down the stairs and reluctantly faced her.

«My lady?»

She swallowed hard. «I want to go home. Can you take me?»

What on earth had happened to shake her considerable

composure? He should’ve known there would be trouble when

he’d realized exactly whose ball Minshom had decided to attend.

He bowed.

«Of course, my lady. Just let me fetch your cloak.»

Minshom strolled down the staircase and spied his wife and

Robert in the doorway. Jane looked surprisingly well in the blue

dress, not a diamond of the first water, but certainly elegant. But

marrying her had never been about her beauty, had it? He’d

simply fallen in love the moment he saw her.

He pushed his way through the crowds. Just as Robert was

shutting the carriage door Minshom yanked on the handle and let

himself in, smiling at their startled expressions.

«Good evening, my dears. I decided to join you after all.»

For some reason, after his confrontation with Sokorvsky and

Jane’s exit, the ball had lost his interest. His fingers flexed as he

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Kate Pearce

settled into the seat next to Robert and eyed his wife. She was

pretending he wasn’t there, which was most unlike her. Normally

she met every one of his barbs head-on and repaid them in her

own unique manner.

He studied her averted profile. Had he really ruined her

evening? He supposed he had. The strangest thing was that she

hadn’t expected him to, had imagined they could spend a

conventional evening in each other’s company like a normal

husband and wife.

He transferred his gaze to Robert who looked equally

displeased to see him. He’d wanted them both to stop worrying

about him and yet he had never liked being ignored.

Anger threaded through him. Sokorvsky had made him look

like a fool hiding behind his wife, his wife who had defended him

without being asked. Sokorvsky would think him weak. God, he

felt weak, beleaguered by the dual demons of lust and guilt his

wife managed to drag from him without even trying. His father’s

derisive laughter echoed in his head, made him close his eyes to

escape the shame.

Mercifully the carriage stopped and Robert hopped out to

open the door for his betters. Jane descended, her head held

high, smiled a thank you and a good night to Robert and stalked

into the house. Minshom stepped down and caught Roberts

shoulder as he shut the carriage door.

«Meet me in the cellar.»

«My lord... I don’t...»

Minshom grabbed the front of Robert’s coat and snarled,

«Just do it.»

For the first time ever, Robert shoved him away. «All right.»

By the time Robert joined him in the half-empty wine cellar,

Minshom had already stripped off his coat, cravat, waistcoat and

shirt. Robert set the small lantern down on the floor, causing

their shadows to loom and tremble like giants on the damp brick

walls.

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Minshom didn’t bother to wait for Robert to strip down; he

just lunged at him and shoved him against the wall.

«Fight me.»

«I don’t want to.»

«A moment ago you seemed quite keen on the idea. What

changed your mind?»

«Because this is ridiculous; it changes nothing and only