Page 7 of The Last Chance
Joanna inhaled deeply, letting hope infuse her heart. “Then I bid you good night, Mr Chance. I’ll not mention your name to the constable when he calls. I shan’t tell him I dragged you out of bed because I was so desperately afraid.”
A strained silence filled the space between them.
It seemed to last a lifetime before he faced her and said, “Why do you despise him? What possible motive could you have for wanting Howard dead?”
The memory of that night seized her mind. The innocent embrace in the garden as she cried for her missing brother. The gentle stroke of Lord Howard’s hand on her hair and back, the shocking move to her buttocks. The savage kiss that swallowed her protests.
“He took something that didn’t belong to him.” Her voice broke. A plump tear landed on her cheek when there should be no more left to shed. “He was always weak and so terribly pathetic. He cried when he explained he couldn’t marry me because of his stupid mistake.” Not that she would ever consider a proposal from a selfish fiend. “As it turned out, Benjamin Wilson didn’t have an honourable bone in his body.”
Mr Chance stood like a monument to a god of war. His hands balled into tight fists at his sides. His rugged features set toconvey a dangerous determination. His whole demeanour was a perfect picture of contained fury.
Then a muscle in his jaw twitched. The angry vein in his neck pulsed, proving he was human. A man. A splendid specimen of his sex.
“Howard ruined you?” he said, his eyes flaming.
“Ruined is a strong word. I like to believe I still have much to offer the world.” She swallowed past the pain in her throat. “But yes. I am damaged goods, Mr Chance. Broken beyond repair.”
The tension in the room intensified.
A string of obscenities burst from his lips. He whirled around, pressing his palms to the closed door and bowing his head. He stood for an age, chasing his ragged breaths. “Howard should be thankful he’s dead. I’d have ripped him apart for what he’s done to you.”
His reaction proved confounding for a man who could barely tolerate her. More like that of a husband or brother. How strange, people thought him a rogue and Lord Howard a picture of respectability.
She dashed another tear from her cheek. “Now you know why I have a motive for murder. I’ve spent ten years wishing he would meet a grisly end.”
“You’ll not mention this to another soul. Do you hear me?” He was suddenly pushing away from the door and marching towards her, cupping her elbows, touching her again. “Not to Daventry. Not to the magistrate or coroner. To no one. They’ll presume you’re guilty and not bother to investigate the crime.”
He was still breathless. Dare she say, panicked.
It was not a good sign from a man who exuded self-control.
“Where did you meet him?” Mr Chance continued. “Who saw you together? Who might testify against you in court?”
“Lord Howard went to school with my brother. We were alone in the garden that night. I did nothing to welcome hisadvances. I considered him a family friend, but he acted like he was possessed by a demon.”
Mr Chance’s eyes turned as black as Satan’s soul. “He forced you?”
She lowered her gaze and nodded, though could feel his fury.
“Then why the hell was he still walking? Someone should have put a lead ball between his brows. Did your brother not demand satisfaction?”
Good heavens.
Now came the hardest part.
But she couldn’t bear to speak about Justin tonight.
“No. My brother was away from home.”
It was the truth. She just didn’t know where.
“Surely not for ten years.” Mr Chance refused to let the matter rest. “Did you ever tell him? Is it possible he came here tonight intending to?—”
“Please, no more.” She placed a staying hand on his chest. The hair tickled her palm, and she felt his heartbeat pounding. “I have not seen my brother in ten years. Let that be the end of the discussion. We have a more pressing issue.”
He stepped back, causing her hand to slip from his chest. After taking a few deep breaths, the storm in his eyes died. “It will be another hour or two before Daventry arrives. We should lock this room and remain downstairs.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay?” She clasped her hands, willing him to show compassion for a woman who always riled his temper.
