Page 102 of Three Weeks with a Princess
She lifted an eyebrow.
“Take a protector,” he said. “My offer of marriage will stand. If you ever feel you have no other choice, please remember that you do.”
Lia had to blink for a few seconds. “Thank you,” she finally whispered.
He was bowing over her hand when the door opened and Jack strode into the room. Smithwell scrambled behind, a pained expression on his features. “The Marquess of Lendale,” the butler announced with pointed dignity.
“What the hell are you doing, Sinclair?” Jack all but growled as he stalked up to them.
“I’m bidding Miss Kincaid a good evening,” Sinclair said. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
“It is when my betrothed is having an intimate tête-à-tête with another man.”
“You and Lendale are engaged?” Sinclair said to Lia, obviously surprised.
“No, we are not,” she said firmly.
“We just haven’t announced it yet,” Jack said at almost the same time.
When Sinclair studied him for a few moments, Jack’s returning glare was so hostile it raised the hairs on the back of Lia’s neck.
“I see,” Sinclair finally murmured. Then he smiled at Lia. “Well, then, I’ll bid you good night. Please remember what I told you, Miss Kincaid. I do mean it.”
“I will,” she replied.
He gave Jack a brief nod. “You’re a lucky fellow, Lendale. I hope you realize it.”
Jack’s animosity didn’t abate a jot. He scowled at Sinclair until the man left the room, followed by Smithwell.
“What was all that about?” Jack asked, his attention swinging back to Lia.
“To paraphrase Mr. Sinclair, none of your business.” Dom had started fussing again, so Lia carefully lowered him into the cradle next to the settee, gently patting his little chest. “And please lower your voice. You’re disturbing the baby.”
“Very well,” he said quietly. “But I still want an answer. And why the hell were you alone with him in the first place?”
She was about to scold him when the door opened again. Chloe, dressed in a shimmering gown of wine-red silk, entered the room.
“Good evening, Lord Lendale,” she said, giving him a warm smile. “How nice of you to visit. You can sit with Lia while we’re at Lady Fernton’s party.”
Jack gave her a brief bow. “Lady Hunter, I didn’t realize you would be going out. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve come to call.”
“Goodness, why would I?” she asked.
“Because I’ll be without a chaperone?” Lia said in a hopeful tone. She truly didn’t want to be alone with Jack right now. He was sure to pester her about Sinclair’s visit and start yet another argument over marrying him.
Chloe waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense. Lord Lendale is like family, is he not? You’ve said so a hundred times, my love. Besides, I don’t want you to become bored or lonely, sitting here all by yourself.”
More likely Chloe and Sir Dominic were afraid she would sneak out and do something scandalous, like attending another masked ball or some equally salacious affair. Lia couldn’t help wondering if they’d asked Jack to come serve as her watchdog.
“I’m happy to stay home and rest,” she said. “In fact, I’ll probably go to bed early. I’m still rather worn out from yesterday’s, er, delightful excursion to Lord Peckworth’s villa.”
Jack snorted, making his opinion of her absurd statement crystal clear. Lia glared at him.
“I understand completely.” Chloe’s eyes twinkled with amused understanding. “And it’s very sweet of you to watch Dom while Nanny is feeling a trifle under the weather. But my maid will be happy to put him to bed, so you needn’t play nursemaid if you don’t wish to.”
“He’s no trouble at all,” Lia said. “I enjoy it, truly.”
Chloe peeked into the cradle to examine her son, smoothing a gentle hand over his tumbled curls. “I think he’ll sleep for the rest of the evening.”
