Page 43 of In Compromise with the Earl
She blushed. “Parting kiss before I go?”
Obliging, he cupped her face and caught her lower lip between his teeth and stroked over it with his tongue, before driving into her warm mouth, tangling her tongue with his. He pulled back to lavish her lips with soft nibbles and hot suckles.
He smiled. “You should leave. We will meet later and figure out what to do with the dastardly Duke.”
She slipped out of bed while he stood, and she grasped her robe, seconds before a harsh, demanding series of bangs came on Oswald’s door. He sat up in dread, and shot a look to Aphrodite who was standing, fright-stricken, at the foot of his bed.
He slid out of bed, went to her and placed both hands on her shoulders. “Listen to me, whatever happens, play along. You can do that right?”
She nodded, while an angry voice came from the door, “Lord Tennesley, open up, now!”
With another stabling look to Aphrodite, he went to the door, slid the bolt back and stepped aside. “What the Hell is going on here?”
Chapter Fifteen
Trembling where she stood, Aphrodite held in a breath while Jameson spat. “I am here to collect on my challenge. The Bow Street Runners will be our witnesses.”
Oswald gave the Duke a long stare. “You are too late. Challenging me for Aphrodite will be useless, as you have no authority over my fiancée anymore.”
“What?” Jameson shouted. “What are you—” He slapped the door away and barged into the chamber, to see Aphrodite there. Spinning on his heel, Jameson jabbed a finger at the officers. “Arrest this man. He has assaulted the poor damsel.”
Now, she understood what Oswald meant about playing along. She came to his side. “You cannot arrest him when we were only talking about our engagement. He proposed to me last night and I came here early because I could not sleep while thinking about it. You have no right, Your Grace, to intrude on a private matter.”
The Runners were starting to look uncomfortable and were looking everywhere but at Aphrodite, while the Duke gaped. “Aphrodite, have you lost your senses? You cannot marry this joke of a man!”
“Excuse me?” Oswald growled, his brows lowing and barely controlled fury radiating from his rigid body. “I will give you one chance to recant that statement.”
“I will not,” Jameson lifted his chin. “You are a cur.”
Oswald made for him, but Aphrodite held his hand tightly, “No, Oswald. He is not worth it.”
“Leave,” Oswald snapped, his hand tightening over Aphrodite’s. “Officers, take this man away before I do something I will regret.”
The Runners hurried Jameson away and when the door closed, she turned to him and held his face in both hands. “You’re going with the fake courtship then?”
“No,” he kissed her palm. “I want to marry you, and after that incident, I doubt it is avoidable.”
“I think so too,” she agreed. “Lady Pandora will be incensed—”
“Your father will be disappointed,” Oswald said, “My family too for that matter. My mother is not fond of your father’s activities.”
“Well, when she meets me, she will realize that neither am I,” Aphrodite said. “I think I should go to my chamber before we are called in to get our scolding.”
The tap of heels in the hallway had Oswald sighing, “It’s too late, Sweetling.”
Lady Pandora came into the chamber, her face as untroubled as always but her eyes and tone were icy cold. “His Grace just told me what happened. You are engaged?”
“Happily,” Oswald said, while putting himself a little in front of Aphrodite, partially shielding her. “And before you ask, yes, we will marry as not to draw speculation on your business.”
The matchmaker’s face was firm, while her eyes ran over the two. “This was not supposed to happen.”
“The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry,” Aphrodite quoted quietly.
“Is that so,” Lady Pandora’s gaze made another pass. “Then why do I feel there is more to this sudden engagement than you are telling me. Is this a ploy to get out of my services?”
Aphrodite rolled her eyes. “Why can you not accept that we’ve found each other?”
“Because I know you,” Lady Pandora’s eyes snapped to her friend. “I know how sly you can be.”
