The Mad, Bad Duke (Nvengaria #2)(104)

Alexander turned and saw Egan at Meagan’s side. His eyes narrowed with sudden rage and he leapt, his body blurring to first the logosh then the panther again.

Egan sped out of the way, swearing. Alexander came to his feet next to Meagan, remaining in panther shape. He circled her, pressing his sleek body against her, glaring at Egan and the others.

Egan held up his hands. “All right, all right. I willnae touch her.”

Meagan put her hand to Alexander’s fur, sinking her fingers into the wiry softness. Alexander rumbled deep in his belly, pressing hard against her legs as he circled.

“Go away, Egan,” Meagan said. “Let me be with him.”

“It is best,” Myn said behind her. Julius and Egan looked rebellious.

“Please,” Meagan said to Julius, a word she knew he understood. “Please, Julius. I can shout if I need help.”

Egan scowled. “By the time we come running, lass, it might be too late.”

Meagan felt the sinuous strength of Alexander against her, the protectiveness that flowed through his body as he twined about her. “He will not hurt me.”

“I’m nae convinced of that.” Egan gave her a serious look. “Even Alexander the man is unpredictable, love.”

“I have to try.”

“She is right,” Myn said. “Let her.”

Egan continued to project angry worry. Julius and the bodyguards did not look any happier, but at last they obeyed Myn.

Meagan rested her hand on Alexander’s back as she walked slowly through the widening circle of men and swords. Alexander moved silently beside her, his great feet making no noise on the damp ground. His body was hot, warming her through her skirts.

They walked quietly past the bodyguards, past Egan who looked as though he was enraged at himself but didn’t know how to stop Meagan, and past Myn, quiet and enigmatic.

With Meagan’s hand on Alexander’s back, fingers threading his fur, the two of them walked alone and unhindered to the house. They entered its welcoming warmth, and Meagan closed the door behind them.





Chapter 26





Alexander rose, feeling his human shape stretch his limbs and his back, his legs moving to hold him upright. He found himself in the sitting room of the Elizabethan house in Kent he’d hired, a fire roaring in the huge grate, the windows shuttered against cold darkness.

Meagan was just latching the last shutter, her cloak lying in a pool of dark velvet on the floor behind her. Her hair, loosened from its knot, sent tendrils of red flowing down her back.

Alexander was unclothed, but his skin was roasting as though he’d walked through intense sunshine to get here. He clenched his hands, willing his body to remain in human form.

Meagan turned from the window. She studied Alexander a moment, her brown eyes taking in the deep cuts on his arm from the fights in the ballroom and in von Hohenzahl’s retreat. Alexander vaguely remembered tearing loose from von Hohenzahl’s net and rampaging his would-be captors, tossing them this way and that. He remembered von Hohenzahl shouting at them not to kill Alexander, and then gibbering in fear when Alexander turned on him. Von Hohenzahl’s blood had tasted best of all.

Alexander felt his form harden toward the bloodthirsty logosh, and struggled against the change.

“You’ve been hurt,” Meagan said in her quiet voice.

Alexander’s attention riveted to her again, and his man shape solidified, which included the firm rise of his cock.

She moved to him. “Will you promise to stay here while I fetch water to wash your wounds?”

Alexander unclenched his jaw, willing his brain to think and speak in English. “You should leave,” he said harshly. “Have Myn take you home.”

“I am home.” Meagan’s eyes held no fear as she gazed up at him. “This house is yours, at least as long as you’re in England, correct? In that case, I live here too.” She glanced at the low, beamed ceiling, the simple comfortable furniture, the whitewashed walls. “It is quite charming, not to mention a relief after Maysfield House. You were very clever to find it—a place you can bring those who won’t be impressed by ostentation.”

“Meagan.”

“I am not leaving, Alexander, so put it out of your head.”

Meagan had to move past him to reach the door. He caught her, distracted by how her sleek hair slid over his fingers. “You are not safe with me.”

To his amazement, Meagan smiled. “I believe you will defend me against all comers. I am your wife, Alexander. I am staying.”

His fingers tightened on her shoulder. “If you stay, I cannot guarantee I will be gentle with you.”

Meagan reached up and touched his cheek, her fingers cool points on his burning skin. “I am not afraid.”

“You should be afraid. I want you. I will take you.”

Meagan caressed his cheek, her eyes soft, then withdrew. “I hope so. Now, I shan’t be long.”

Alexander made himself let her go. She walked away, the delicate sway of her hips stoking the fires inside him. His rock-hard erection stood straight out from his body, a fact her roving gaze had not missed.

What had she said out in the woods? Alexander had barely been able to register her presence, let alone her words. He’d so wanted her to be there that he feared himself imagining her clean scent and melodic voice.