Page 41 of The Forbidden Lord
“That wasn’t what you think—” she began.
“Oh, I don’t hold your behavior against you. Blackmore can be very persuasive. The fact that you eventually rebuffed him last night and then again today emboldened me to speak for myself. Clearly, you understand that he’s too cold for a woman of your passion and depth of feeling.” He splayed his fingers over the small of her back. “But you and I are two of a kind, asyou must realize. I can satisfy your needs as much or more than Blackmore.”
He reached up and clasped her chin, then forced her head up so he could kiss her. Wet, hot lips smacked against her mouth. It was like being slapped with a boiled eel. Utterly disgusted, she pressed against his chest, but he wouldn’t let go. She tried wrenching her mouth away, but like a leech he clamped himself to her and seemed intent on taking even more liberties. His thick tongue groped at the seam of her lips, and his perfumed breath nearly gagged her.
Sheer panic set in when he tried to drag the edge of her bodice down, pinching her breast in the process. She shoved against his shoulders, and when that didn’t work, she jabbed him in the thigh with her closed fan. He dropped back from her, a curse tumbling from his lips.
She leapt to her feet, fumbling to straighten her dislodged clothing. “How dare you, Mr. Pollock! I havenotgiven you permission to touch me in this familiar manner!” She sounded more like the prudish Emily Fairchild than the bold Lady Emma, but she didn’t care. She wouldn’t let the fool debauch her right here in the garden!
A peevish expression crossed his face as he rubbed his sore thigh. “You gave Blackmore permission. I saw the way you let him caress you. What kind of teasing wench are you?”
“I didn’t give Blackmore permission to take liberties, I assure you!”
“It didn’t look that way to me.” His voice was decidedly nasty. He rose from the bench. “You were arching your back and purring like a cat in heat. And I’ll have you doing the same for me, I swear, before this evening is out!”
When he stepped toward her, she pointed her fan dagger-fashion at his crotch. She didn’t know much about the male anatomy, but she did know one thing: men were very careful oftheir groins. She’d seen boys in the village crumple to the ground in agony when attacked there. Her fan’s spokes narrowed to points at the end, and closed, it looked positively lethal.
“If you come any nearer, I’ll skewer you. Do you hear me?”
His gaze dropped in alarm, and she saw him hesitate as he assessed the danger to his privates. “You wouldn’t?—”
“She would,” came a feminine voice from very near. As both Emily and Mr. Pollock jerked their heads in its direction, Lady Dundee stepped into the clearing surrounding the gazebo. Her expression was grim indeed. “My daughter has the blood of the Scots flowing through her veins, you fool. She won’t hesitate to carve you into bits.”
Relief flooded Emily, but Mr. Pollock went white and backed away as if she were a garden snake he’d suddenly discovered to be a viper. “Lady Dundee. This is not what it seems. I … I?—”
“I know precisely what it is.” Lady Dundee stalked up to the gazebo. “And you may be sure I won’t allow it to happen again.”
His expression turned sullen. “Then you’d best keep a tight leash on the minx. I’m not the only man she’s been meeting in private places.”
Emily stifled a groan. Dear heavens, if he told Lady Dundee about Jordan …
The countess cast him such a frosty look that his sneer instantly vanished. “Mr. Pollock, I understand that you move in more exalted circles than you perhaps deserve.”
He tugged nervously on his billowing cravat.
“Therefore,” she continued in clipped tones, “if I ever hear that you repeated such lies to anyone … indeed, if I ever hear that you’ve spoken of my daughter in anything but the loftiest terms, even to the kitchen maid in the lowliest household of the most remote section of England, I’ll make sure you become persona non grata in decent society. Unlike my daughter,Iam equipped with something more than a fan. And I’ll take greatpleasure in using my position and connections to eviscerate you. Understood?”
As Mr. Pollock lost all color in his cheeks, the countess faced Emily, her voice only a trifle less icy. “Come, Emma, we must go. We mustn’t be late for the Winstead ball.”
“Yes, Mama,” she said quickly, nearly vaulting off the gazebo steps.
Lady Dundee’s hand on her arm was like a vice as she half steered, half dragged Emily through the garden. Emily didn’t blame her for her obvious anger. The woman must think awful things of her, especially after Mr. Pollock’s snide remark.
“Lady Dundee,” she finally brought herself to say, “I am so sorry?—”
The woman stopped just short of the entrance into the house and fixed her with an incredulous look. “Sorry? Whatever for? That incorrigible, half-witted…”
Words seemed to fail her as she stared back in the direction of the gazebo where Pollock sat with his head in his hands. She lowered her voice. “I blame myself, notyou,for heaven’s sake. I knew what you were trying to do when you arranged to walk with him, but I should never have allowed it. You’re just a child. You have no idea how beastly some men can be. But I’m old enough to know better. I allowed Randolph to send a lamb to the slaughter, and for that I should be soundly beaten.”
“You mustn’t blame yourself. I’mnota child. I knew the dangers when I came out here. I simply misjudged Mr. Pollock’s character. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“There won’t be a next time.” The older woman set her broad shoulders with determination. “I’m ending this masquerade. It was an idiotic idea from the beginning, but I allowed it because you seemed willing. No more, however. I won’t stand by and watch while a hapless innocent is sacrificed for my foolish niece.”
“But youcan’tstop it now!” Emily knew Lord Nesfield too well. He’d make good on his threats.
“I most certainly can. I’ll tell Randolph tonight that he must finish it on his own. He has three likely suspects. Lethimdiscover which is the culprit.”
“No, I won’t let you!” When the countess looked at her askance, she stammered, “I-I mean, I made a promise to your brother, and I shall keep it.”
