A Little Bit Sinful(48)

“To what are you referring?” George asked.

“Rafferty’s.” It was all that needed said.

“I see.” Darkness crossed over George’s features and gone was the congenial fellow and in the place stood a man who appeared quite deadly. “You told her about Rafferty’s?”

“I did.” No reason to mention he’d showed her as well. He still felt guilty about that.

“I don’t see what business it is of yours. You certainly cannot think to marry the girl yourself. I don’t believe bastard sons of dukes are suitable husbands for the daughter of an earl.”

Justin felt his jaw clench, he fisted his hands, but knew better than to strike the man here. And from the looks of George’s fists, the man was ready for a fight himself.

“I know Clarissa fancies me, it is a passing fancy.” He shrugged again. “Or not, it really isn’t my concern. Perhaps I’ll decide to marry her some day, but perhaps I’ll choose someone else. Miss Cooper is quite charming.”

So while Justin didn’t need to worry about George running away with Clarissa, he still had to be careful of what she would do. She was clinging to her sister-in-law’s advice because it was that last shred she had. That one tangible thing she could do to make Rebecca proud of her, even from the grave. “The honorable thing would be to tell her the truth. Stop taking her on walks, stop pretending you’re courting her when you have no intention of marrying her,” Justin said.

“I never claimed to be honorable.”

“Tell her. Or I will and with it the rest of your secrets.”

George looked him straight in the eye, turned on his heel and walked away. Then the truth of the situation hit Justin in the face. What the devil made him think he could deserve Clarissa if he didn’t believe George did?

He was a bastard by birth and a gaming hell owner. That was no life for a lady like Clarissa. Marrying her would sentence her to a life on the fringe of Society. He couldn’t do that to her.

He didn’t have any business being here among these people. He needed to get back to Rodale’s and stay there. Tonight though he was here and he wanted one more dance with Clarissa. There was one more ball he’d agreed to attend, and then after that, he’d retire from this foolishness and go back to where he belonged.





Chapter Ten


Clarissa watched in horror as Justin crossed the room and spoke to George. And then the two of them walked off together to speak privately. Her heart pounded relentlessly in her chest as she watched. Was Justin telling George about her seduction plan? Was George telling Justin that she’d just kissed him in the garden and done so poorly? She wanted to run from the room, but her own morbid curiosity kept her feet locked to the floor.

“What are you doing?” Ella asked, suddenly appearing at her side.

“Sh,” Clarissa said.

“Oh good heavens,” Ella said. “Why are you shushing me? It is not as if you can hear them.”

“I’m thinking,” Clarissa said.

“You know this is good. Look, they are standing right there next to one another. What do you see?”

“Trouble,” Clarissa said. “What do you suppose they’re talking about?”

“You, no doubt in my mind. Mr. Rodale is probably telling George to back off because he wants a shot at you. It’s all wildly romantic,” Ella said dreamily.

“Can you be serious, this is terrible. I have kissed both of those men.” Then she looked at Ella in horror. “Oh you don’t suppose they’re discussing that.”

“I don’t know. I suspect you can ask one of them later. I’d suggest Mr. Rodale. Out of the two men, he seems the most honest.”

“I believe I shall,” Clarissa said. She walked off and headed straight for Justin now that George had left his side.

“Why were you just speaking to George?” Clarissa asked from behind him. Justin turned to face her.

“Clarissa,” he said, his eyes warming as he took her in. “You look beautiful.”

“Answer my question. What were you and George talking about? He looked very upset when he walked away. What did you say to him?”

Justin sighed. “Ask George yourself what we discussed.”

Panic seized her chest. “Why won’t you tell me? What did you do?”

“I did nothing more than ask him to talk to you.”