Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
But I wasn’t seeing things, I’m certain of it, and Eliza confirmed my suspicions. Fluttery lashes. Dainty hands. A smaller frame than her fellow riders. Of course, it could be a man of slight build, but … those lashes. I rest my hand on my chest when my heart yells its presence, smiling. It has been weeks since my encounter with the highwaymen. I don’t lack motivation, but I must find more inspiration if I am to continue my story and keep myself busy writing.
I hum, sitting back down, but flinch when the door swings open. The Duke stands on the threshold of my father’s study looking quite menacing, but at least now he is fully dressed in quite a lovely claret velvet jacket. I admire it for a few moments as Dalton hurries up behind the Duke and announces him. I smile and wave him off as Johnny closes the door and wanders towards the fireplace.
‘Your Grace,’ I say, neglecting to rise from my chair to greet him.
‘Melrose,’ he replies flatly and quite unfriendly-like, cluing me in that this isn’t, unfortunately, an impromptu visit for a pleasant chat.
‘Please take a seat,’ I say.
‘I’d rather stand if it’s all the same to you.’
‘Makes no difference to me.’
‘Oh, it would,’ Winters says. ‘I have a much better swing while standing.’
I recoil. ‘Now let us not get excited, Your Grace. And would you mind enlightening me as to why you might want to swing at me?’
He comes to the desk and slaps his hands on the edge of the wood, leaning over, getting his face close to mine. Johnny Winters is a notoriously handsome man. Foreboding, yes, but darkly handsome. Not today. Today he is simply menacing. ‘Stay away from my little sister.’
My brain is telling me to agree, no question, but my ego, my stupid, foolish ego says instead, ‘Or else?’ and Johnny Winters takes on a rather frightening stance, one that tells me he may very well launch himself across this desk and strangle me. I am not a man who likes to be told what to do. I am also not an idiot. ‘Rest assured, I have absolutely no desire to be anywhere near your sister,’ I say, deciding to appease him, if only for an easy life.
‘Why, what’s wrong with her?’ he asks, insulted.
Oh, for the love of God. What does he want from me? ‘What’s right with her?’ I reply on a sardonic laugh, and then I’m quickly up from my chair and on the other side of my father’s study when he lunges, threatening, snarling like a wolf. ‘All right,’ I say, getting a strange thrill out of seeing my sister’s husband looking as murderous as everyone once thought him to be. It’s no wonder, really, that he earned such a reputation.
‘I will kill you,’ he says quietly, almost on a hiss, ‘If you so much as breathe in her direction.’
‘Kill me?’ I ask, my head tilted. ‘I think my sister might have something to say about that.’
‘Not if I make it look like an accident.’
I recoil. This is ridiculous, I have better things to do than play this silly game of clash of the egos.
‘Her virtue is precious,’ he goes on. ‘She must not be ruined, do you hear me? I will not have a rake like you tarnishing her.’
‘Well,’ I laugh lightly, thoroughly insulted, making Johnny snarl. My ego is somewhat dented. Everyone seems quite keen on pointing out my shortcomings, and by everyone, I mean Johnny and his sister. ‘Are you saying, Your Grace, that I am not good enough for Taya?’
‘That is exactly what I am saying.’
‘Don’t hold back now, will you?’ I pull my jacket in, daring to step closer to the fireplace, therefore closer to my temperamental brother-in-law. ‘I thought you of all people would be an advocate for true love.’ What the hell am I saying? ‘Not that I am in love, of course. I’m merely pointing out that to judge and …’ I wave a hand in the air, searching for the right words, hopefully words that will not get me killed, ‘… put people in boxes according to status is rather hypocritical. My sister held no title before you … you …’ Choose your words wisely, Frank! ‘… wowed her with your gentlemanly charm.’
Johnny rolls his eyes. ‘Taya is my little sister.’
‘As Eliza is mine,’ I reply, cocking my head, wondering when I became such a daredevil. There is no question, I should stay as far away from Taya Winters as possible, I do not refute that, but I simply cannot help putting the Duke in his place. ‘I believe I gave you my wholehearted support when you came to me with your whole woeful story.’
‘Woeful?’
‘Tragic.’
‘It matters not. Taya is not available, especially not to you.’
And there he goes again. Especially not to me. I might not have a title, but at least I am not disgraced. ‘She’s nineteen!’ I laugh. Shut the hell up, Frank!