Loving Lord Ash by Sally Mackenzie Read Free Book Online Page B

tone. The animal growled.
    “Hush, Kit. Lord Ashton is just barking; he won’t bite. Go lie down by the fire.”
    He half wished she was wrong about that, but she wasn’t. Even her extreme provocation could not move him to violence. If only the damn footman were here. He’d very much enjoy beating him to a pulp.
    He watched the dog amble over to stretch out on the hearth. “Why the hell did you name him after me?” And to use his Christian name . . . Jess had been the only one ever to call him Kit. Even his parents used his title. Hearing her say it now, and to an animal—
    He’d thought she couldn’t hurt him any more, but she kept finding new ways to turn the knife in his gut.
    She ignored his question. “Yes, Roger is a very special friend, Lord Ashton. I love him . . . as a brother .”
    Zeus! “It is a very good thing you have no brothers then, madam. He was naked, for God’s sake.”
    “Of course he was naked. I was painting him.”
    “You were embracing him.” Did she think him a complete dolt? Perhaps she did. He’d married her after he’d caught her with her skirts around her ears and Percy between her thighs. She likely thought he would forgive her any sin. Well, she was very much mistaken.
    “No. He was embracing me .”
    “Oh, really? It looked to me as if you were an enthusiastic participant. Your arms were around the man.”
    “Yes, but that was only so I wouldn’t—” She bit her lip, grasped her hands in front of her, and actually glared at him. “Roger was only hugging me because I’d agreed to finally seek you out to discuss the state of our marriage. There was nothing at all salacious about it.”
    Their marriage. Yes. Their nonexistent marriage that he was going to put an end to. She was trying to distract him, pretending she’d been thinking of seeing him. Hell, her constant lies were as bad as her whoring.
    He forced down his rage. He would not lose control. He would treat her to an icy silence.
    His mouth had other ideas. “Just as there was nothing salacious about your encounter with Percy?”
    He most definitely should not have drunk so much brandy on an empty stomach.
    “Yes. No.” At least she had the grace to look guilty. “Nothing actually happened with Percy.”
    A red haze bloomed in front of his eyes. He clenched his fists, digging his fingernails into his flesh. “Forgive me for doubting you on that, madam. I was there, if you will remember. I saw him swiving you.”
    His stomach twisted, threatening to rid itself of the brandy he’d drunk. He swallowed determinedly. He would not so embarrass himself before this jade.
    The jade had the gall to scowl at him. “No, you didn’t. I stopped him before it came to that.”
    “He said he’d had you.” Percy had got up and offered them—him and Morton, one of Mama’s guests, and Alfred, a footman—their turn with her since he was done.
    Oh, God. His stomach rebelled again. That had been the worst few minutes of his life. He’d wanted to think it was rape, but Jess had not been struggling, and when he’d accused Percy of violence, she hadn’t disputed the man’s assertion that she’d been a willing participant.
    He shoved the memory away.
    “He was lying. I . . . he . . .” Jess was definitely flushing now, as well she might. “I stopped him.”
    How stupid did she think he was? He might be a virgin, completely inexperienced with women, but he knew copulation when he saw it. He’d grown up in the country. He’d observed enough animals busy about the business.
    “Percy was naked and between your thighs. I think we both know how the thing is done.”
    “But it wasn’t done. I said I stopped him before he”—she looked away—“before it came to that.”
    She’d said that at the time. He hadn’t believed her then, and he didn’t believe her now. There was no way in hell a man in Percy’s position would stop. And that wasn’t all.
    “Jesus, Jess. Your poor father wasn’t even cold in his