Love Against Duty

Chapter 6

As he spoke, he gave one of her earrings a gentle poke that set it swinging on its twist of diamond. Don’t you believe in resignation? Meaning that if I had stayed among the dancers, I wouldn’t have met the devil? Exactly. His eyes smiled into hers, but there was a certain mastery behind that smile and a hint of that dark charm she had seen before. You have always played your cards well with an open hand and closed eyes, and you dare to cheat a little. It might be satisfying, though, of course, your conscience will lash at you. You’re asking me to cheat on the man I love? The word should have sounded convincing, but instead it sounded pretentious, and she saw that stupid, knowing smile at the edge of his mouth. I wouldn’t ask a woman to do that, he said wryly. But you are asking it; she protested; you’re forcing me to betray someone’s trust in me, and I don’t like it. I am only asking you to share a few moments with me; I am not suggesting that you fall completely off your heels, boring as it may be, perched up there like a bird on a tree, yearning to spread your wings but invisibly caged. Oh, there is no need to protest that it isn’t so. That would be a lie. Wouldn’t it, Queen? I haven’t said you can use my name, and I don’t have to listen to your nonsense. It’s really funny the way you assume you know all about me.

Does your cagliostro act usually impress women? Queen tilted her chin and gave him a look of contempt. Well, it doesn’t impress me. I don’t go to clubs and restaurants to act annoying and claim to read people’s minds. It's a scam, but I can tell you’re good at it!

Do you think I can read your mind? He looked lazy and ran his eyes over her face, deliberately tracing her features. You have warmth, even though you try so hard to hide it, a rebellious touch of little madam, and a positive instinct of self-sacrifice. You also have a sense of humor, but it hasn’t been as refined as the rest of you. Come, admit that it has its spiciness, being at the mercy of a man who confesses to being a playing card, the lowest card of the court. She said. The rogue in the pack? Exactly. And you think I should be happy at the thought of dating you? Why not? It would be quite a change from being the perfect princess to letting down your hair and being yourself with a man who doesn’t expect you to be an angel. Which obviously means that I have no choice but to say I’ll see you again? We both know, Queen, that you have a choice. Listen, the music has died away, and the dance is almost over. You could scream at the top of your voice right now and be saved. Go on. Yell for your savior, and let him rescue you from the devil.

I can’t do that; let’s forget it. Like a tracker in her mind lay the memory of a scandal attached to the name of Jameson, and she shuddered at the thought of bracing the slightest suspicion in anyone that she might invite the attentions of this man, whose face and voice held a kind of disturbing attraction. Scared for me or yourself? He asked mischievously, and immediately he increased the pressure of his hands against her hip bones, and his eyes were like metal across her neck. If I have to get involved with you, she said, then I prefer to do it discreetly. It doesn’t appeal to you to be caught openly.

No, thanks! She trembled at the thought. Nothing is actually hiding forever; at least let it be a secret for now. So all this fighting and struggling in my arms is not for the possible breakage of my jaw or nose? Or do you think that I might carry a hammer up my sleeve? I’m sure you’re capable of it. Oh yes, I’m capable of it. He held her beautiful, straining body to his, and her eyes widened as she caught the double meaning in his words and in his look. What colour are your eyes, eh? Oh, do stop this crazy talk and let me go! She could feel the fear growing in her again, for now that the music had stopped, it wouldn’t be long before Austin came looking for her. I will meet you if that’s what you want, but please, the way you’re holding me... It looks so wrong.

Intimate is the word he said, intentionally teasing her. There is a small inlet, and it has a little dry field below the beach road. The place is secluded and peaceful; be there on Friday, and I will bring a lunch basket. The wild inlet, she exclaimed. Oh, all right. Is that what they call it? Yes, you know it is! She would promise to go, but that doesn’t mean she has fulfilled the promise. But even as she lowered her lashed to hide her eyes, he lowered his mouth and whispered in her ear. I shall come to Greco Villa if you don’t keep your promise, Queen. That is a promise, not a threat, and I take my promises very seriously. Damn you! She said it angrily. Do you usually force yourself on people? I don’t imagine you have many friends—maybe only the ones you buy and threaten. Christ, why pick on me?

You know quite well why I pick on you, or do you turn the mirrors to the wall at Greco Villa? And it was then, feeling his touch and looking into his eyes, that Queen was closest to a crying wolf. Her lips opened and the cry was stuck in her throat, and those grey eyes watched and waited, with a look in them that was totally cynical that Queen knew he would let her call him a r****t and to hell with consequences.