Sapphires Are an Earl's Best Friend by Shana Galen - Jewels of the Ton 03 - Sapphires Are an Earl's Best Friend Page B

she said out of annoyance.
    He shook her again, and she dropped the glass. It made a muted thud on the carpet. “Tell me what she said.”
    “Fallon told me to stay out of your path.”
    “Is that all?”
    “Yes. Now unhand me before I scream and wake the house.” She was not afraid, but she would have rather ended this expediently and quietly. The other methods she could employ would only anger Kwirley, and she did not need an enemy in the house.
    “You didn’t heed her advice very well, did you?” he said, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. “You are most definitely in my path, sweet Lily. What shall I do with you?” He walked his fingers over her shoulder and up to her chin, tapping her lips.
    “My lord, do not make me scream.”
    “You won’t scream,” he said, caressing her exposed neck. “You do not want the whole staff alerted to your activities. They might tell your lover.”
    He was no fool. She did not want to have to explain what she had been doing in the drawing room with Kwirley rather than in Ravenscroft’s bed in the morning. She wanted him to think she had been in his bed for most of the night. If Kwirley would not cooperate, she had only one more option. “My lord, do not make me hurt you.”
    “Oh, fair Lily. It is I who am going to hurt you.” He smiled. “I like it that way.” And then he crushed his mouth over hers in a painful kiss. His teeth sank into her lip, and she cried out in pain and tried to push him away.
    He didn’t move. He was almost twice her weight and easily a full head taller than she. He would not be moved unless it was his choice.
    She would have to persuade him to make that choice.
    He stuck his tongue down her throat, all but gagging her, but she clenched her hands resolutely and bit him. Hard.
    “What the devil!” Kwirley yelled, jumping back.
    “I told you not to make me hurt you.” Lily tried to turn and run, but he came for her. As she knew he would. He made a grab, catching her arm. She pivoted and brought her elbow up and into his abdomen. She didn’t connect as directly or forcefully as she would have liked, but it was enough to surprise him. Kwirley released her, and Lily ran. She had to skirt around a set of chairs someone had moved close together, and that cost her precious time. Kwirley caught her by the back of her gown, and she went down, landing hard on her face. Thankfully the rug was soft. She supposed that was one advantage to being attacked in a duke’s residence.
    Kwirley rolled her over. She knew how to fight him from this position. She’d been trained, though she hadn’t used this training in a very long time—ever, actually. She would have kneed him, but she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. The fall had been harder than she thought. She tried to breathe, even as Kwirley covered her mouth with his hand and sputtered something vile and awful at her. She couldn’t hear him for the rushing sound in her ears, but she could imagine what he was saying.
    His intentions were clear. He grabbed her wrists with one hand and began to ruche up her skirts with the other. He was smiling, his eyes glittering with desire. The man liked to cause fear and pain. Lily would give him neither. She struggled again for breath and shifted into position.
    And then, suddenly, Kwirley was yanked back, and she was free.
    Bloody hell, Lily cursed. Darlington.

Seven
    Darlington did not believe what he saw. Kwirley was attacking Lily. That much he could believe. The man was the worst sort of rake. The fact that such a bouncer had been invited into his home illustrated, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the lows to which his father had sunk.
    Andrew absolutely could believe Kwirley was after Lily. What he could not believe was the manner in which she fought back. Her defense appeared coordinated. In fact, it even seemed somewhat effective. He had started into the drawing room as soon as he realized what was happening, and he kept thinking how fortunate for Lily