Page 126 of Ironvine

“Oh? She must certainly be jealous to know that I was her lover’s final lover.” Her eyes were alive with fire.

“Why would she care? Their affair was over well before you and he took up.”

“Oh, every woman cares even if she pretends otherwise. Perhaps I should do as you suggested.”

“Which was…”

“Would it upset her, you think, if her lover’s lover were to seduce her husband? What a delicious thought. Now there is a fine specimen of a man. I imagine he’s quite a king in —”

“Shut up, will you,” he hissed at her. “Dear God, why do you feel the need to best her?”

“I don’t like her. She is pompous and imperious.”

“She is the Duchess of Oakley! She could crush you if she wished.”

“Oh, let her try. When I get done with her, she will be in tears, begging for my mercy. And I shall not give it. I shall be the one laughing at her.”

“Bloody hell, you’re already forming a new plan? I’m warning you, Amanda. I highly doubt you or anyone could get between those two. The Oakleys are not to be trifled with.”

Her body swayed, her eyes gleaming as she righted herself. “Neither am I, my lord.”

“Enough. I demand that you cease spreading these ugly and untruthful rumours about my having killed my brother to usurp his title and take his wife-to-be. All lies and you know it. Why the devil are you hell-bent on being so spiteful? Now, you will go back to the house and apologise to both of them. I demand it. ”

Pressing her lips together, she attempted to compose herself. Charles knew very well that apologising to anyone was alien to Amanda, alien and a horror and insufferable in one.She must be choking on her own bile this very instant, he thought.

“Apologise.” He gestured to the house to where the Duchess and Georgina watched them from the terrace.

Amanda let out a tight breath and stomped toward the house. He followed her up the stone steps. On the terrace, Amanda came to a halt before Georgina.

“Countess, I am very sorry for having lashed out at you in such a way. I apologise. Forgive me for having struck you. I fully intended on striking the Duchess.”

Georgina’s eyes widened, and she gasped as Amanda flew at the Duchess.

“Amanda!” Charles roared, grabbing her by the waist and jerking her back, away from the women. “Are you mad?”

“I will not bow down to her, not ever!” Amanda seethed.

Charles gestured to his two footmen who stood by the door. “Both of you, take Mrs. Treharne home immediately.”

“Sir.”

“Never come here again, do you understand?” he said to Amanda. “Never.”

She cast them all a cold glance and trotted down the stairs in between the servants.

“Your Grace, please accept our sincere apologies for such abominable behaviour.” Georgina tried to save the day. “I never—”

The Duchess took hold of Georgina’s arm. “I do not fault you for her behaviour.”

“To be assaulted so as a guest in our home. I am utterly mortified.”

“I appreciate your mortification, I do. But that woman is not worthy of it.” The Duchess turned to Charles. “What did the two of you speak of?”

“She accused me of setting her up to be seen with Mr. Penry last night. And I insisted she apologise to my wife and my esteemed guest. That outburst was abhorrent. Her demeanor…”

“She was like that when I saw her at her house that morning,” said Georgina. “Brazen in a bizarre sort of way, elsewhere at the same time. She was taking laudanum with her wine that morning. She probably still is.”

“Laudanum?” Charles’s brow furrowed.

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