Page 52 of Married to the Rake

“You damn well should not,” he said. “Not until we have talked about this.”

Chloe looked to Judith. “I am not sure there is anything to talk about.”

“No, there isn’t,” Judith agreed. “Now, run along, little wallflower.”

Brook curled a fist at this side. “There is plenty to talk about,” he said through gritted teeth. “You know how I feel about you, Chloe. There is no need to be angry.”

“No need to be angry?” she spluttered. “We were to…and you were…” She gestured to Judith. “I think I have plenty to be angry about.”

Judith smiled smugly. “Do not be upset, dear. He is only a man after all.”

“Judith!” Brook snapped. “Go away. I have no desire to speak to you or talk to you or even be vaguely in your presence again.”

Judith’s expression soured. “All because of this wallflower? This is ridiculous, Brook, you know how wonderfully we go together.” Her lips curved. “How magical we are in bed.”

Chloe sucked in a breath.

“Judith. Leave. At once,” he ordered.

Judith huffed and barged bodily passed Chloe, knocking into her with her shoulder. Chloe staggered back a few steps and rubbed her shoulder. Brook went to hold her but she backed away a few steps.

“Judith is a vindictive, spoiled brat used to getting her own way,” he explained. “I had no idea she would be here nor did I wish to kiss her.”

Chloe eyed him for a few moments, still massaging her shoulder. “You were lovers?”

“Once. It was a mistake.”

She pressed her lips together and rubbed the end of her slightly freckled nose. “She is very attractive.”

“I want you, Chlo. No one else.”

Her gaze searched his. “But how can I know? How can I ever know?” She pressed a hand to her forehead. “You know, for a moment, I thought you were doing it out of revenge…that this whole plot had been to humiliate me—a Larkin.”

“You really think I would do something like that?”

“I do not know,” she said softly.

“Damn it, Chloe, I might be a few things but I am no heartless bastard.” He could hardly believe she thought so poorly of him.

“This was a mistake.” She turned away and he took her shoulder.

She shirked away from his touch. “I’m going home,” she declared, lifting her chin.

“No, you are not. We’re going to Scotland.”

“You may go to Scotland if you wish. I am certainly not going anywhere.”

“Do you really believe I intended for Judith to come here and kiss me all as some sort of a plan?”

“No…yes…no I do not know.” She opened her palms. “Do you not see? That is the problem. I do not know. How can I?” She gestured between them. “She is right about us. I am a little, plain wallflower and you are a…a handsome rogue. How can we ever have a future together?”

Coldness seeped through him, settling deep into his heart. She really did see him as nothing more than a culmination of gossip and his reputation. Apparently, his actions could not speak louder than the words of others.

“For a smart woman, Chloe, you can be incredibly foolish.”

She opened her mouth then closed it for a moment. “Well, for a supposed charming gentleman, you can be incredibly rude.”

“You really are a typical Larkin. So stubborn and pig-headed.”

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