Chapter eighteen

Missandrei calmly walked up to her room and stood before her bed in frozen shock. 

"you are back early do-" Eunice froze as she looked up from the writing table and met Missy's eyes "Good God"

She flew out from behind the desk and wrapped her in her arms . The tears didn't come. Frozen somewhere inside of her. Eunice sat her at the edge of the bed without a word and rang for hot water to be drawn up. Missy didn't move for close to an hour as the tub was filled with steaming water and scented. Eunice dragged her to her feet and undressed her ,and unpinned her hair then took her elbow and led her to the tub. She scrubbed her body and washed her hair silently. 

Afterwards,she dressed her in an old cotton nightdress she liked because it'd belonged to her mother and brushed and braided her wet hair. Eunice put her in bed and pulled the coverlet over her. 

"Tonight was supposed to be my fairytale" Missy whispered "for a second I believed in fairy tales" 

Suddenly there was a rustling outside , the window was pushed open and Belmont pushed in . 

Missandrei gave him a small ,shaky smile .

"what happened?" Eunice asked him 

He whispered furiously at her for a while amid Eunice's gasps and angry rants. "I had to see her for myself. Chadwick said she was fine. She doesn't look fine to me"

" she's in shock. I've never seen her like this"

Missy agreed with Eunice. She'd never seen herself like this. And it was more than that drunk's actions. She admitted to herself that the duke had something to do with it. His utter disregard for her had been eye opening. 

"Lady Haversat began a rumour about Chadwick and Missy caught in compromising positions" Jon informed them. "The duchess' crushed that by announcing that you two are engaged"

Missandrei didn't want to be engaged to Chadwick. She wanted to run away. Left alone. She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep. Something cold licked her face. Her eyes flew open and met Duke's brown gaze. She hugged him to her and then the tears began to fall. 

Belmont sat at the edge of her bed and pulled her to him" it's alright Missy"

"no . It's not. He's so cold and unfeeling Jon. I can't spend my life like that" she sobbed 

"I warned you not to have good expectations of the Duke" Eunice sighed.

"But he was being so nice and - and I thought he- I thought he could be my friend" she sniffed "I was so stupid. All he cares about is keeping his family name away from scandal. And his mother hates me and- and he thinks I need to recolor my hair. He's such a brute. The way he glared at me in disgust when I was dancing tonight. He just stayed at the corner and judged me with his eyes"

Jonathan didn't think the duke hated her but he didn't say so. He was a man so he knew. The duke was attracted to Missandrei and was trying not to be. And when he'd seen her in his arms he'd been jealous. And then Missy had asked to go with him not the duke. He knew exactly what the duke was thinking about them. He wouldn't correct the Duke's assumptions. In fact, he'd play on the Duke's conclusions and shatter his facade of indifference. 

After Missandrei had fallen asleep , he tucked her back into bed then realized he was quite alone with Eunice. He stood up and faced her. "good evening Eunice"

She narrowed her eyes at him "You can leave the way you came"

He grinned"I've come all this way. Won't you at least entertain me"

 "you came here to see to your friend which I commend you for . I'm beginning to think you are more than a reckless, no good rake" she said "leave before I change my mind"

" who says I care what you think about me Eunice" he moved forward till her skirt was brushing his breeches.

She tilted her neck to meet his eyes , a becoming flush filling her cheek. "i-i"

"I see you watching me Eunice. Your eyes tell me everything. That one night in the inn wasn't enough. I want you"

"That night was a mistake"

"was it Eunice?"

"Please-"

He cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb over her cheek. "Yes?"

"Stop this Lord Belmont. I'm just a passing challenge for you. You will destroy my life"

"i would never do that. Eunice. I would never. I swear"he said so softly 

"what do you - want from me?"

"an answer only" he moved back and clasped his hands at his back "May I kiss you?"

Eunice dragged in a ragged breath "yes"

Jon reached her in one stride , his mouth crashing down on hers . She arched forward , her hand tangling into his hair. She felt the kiss down to her toes, everything inside of her clenching amd yearning. Their mouths slanted over each other's with barely restrained passion.

"We can't . Not here"

He nodded "I know. Eunice ,I think the duke has an interest with Missandrei"

" impossible" she hissed " he's a-"

He placed a finger over his mouth then grinned"you know I like it too much when you curse. If you do, I'd have no choice but to kiss you again"

She rolled her eyes at him.

" I'm going to test my theory. If I'm correct , Chadwick thinks Missy and I are lovers"

"what would give him that impression?"

"no man wants to see a woman he likes in the arms of another" he gave her a meaningful look. "trust me"

"I trust you" she kissed him again . He pulled away from her and walked to the window " goodnight little lamb"

She grinned at the pet name "be careful with those branches . Do not fall Belmont" she said sternly

"I won't" he gave her a look full of promise "Go to bed"

She waited till he had dropped to the ground before shutting and locking the window . She kissed Missy's forehead , took the candelabra , gave one guilty look at the writing table full of letters to her secret love and wondered if she should tell Belmont about it. She shook the thought away and left