A Highland Duchess Read Free Page B

folded her arms in an identical posture and frowned at him.
    “If you’re going to harm me, then do so now, because I’ll not help you steal from me.”
    “I don’t consider retrieving the Tulloch mirror to be an act of thievery, Duchess. I am merely attempting to return that which was illegally taken.”
    She wasn’t the least bit reassured about her safety. She looked around for a weapon but there was nothing nearby. The lamp would have to do. She could break it over his head.
    “I’ve never been guilty of violence against a female, Duchess,” he said, as if guessing her intention.
    “But you have, against a man? Is that supposed to reassure me?”
    “No,” he said. “Nothing I’ve said tonight was meant to reassure you.”
    She blinked at him, surprised at his honesty. “You mean to intimidate me.”
    “Of course,” he said, smiling at her again.
    She had had enough.
    She stood, and before he could grab her, marched to the door, and would have opened it had he not seized her from behind. One arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her. His free hand pressed against her mouth as if he guessed, rightly, that she was about to scream.
    “You’re the most surprising woman, Duchess,” he said.
    She kicked him.
    He laughed and she kicked him again.
    “Your Grace?”
    Her maid was on the other side of the door.
    The intruder reached out and locked the door before Juliana could turn the latch.
    “Your Grace? Are you all right?”
    “Tell her you’re fine,” he whispered into her ear.
    Emma shook her head.
    He made an exasperated sound.
    “Your Grace?” Juliana said. “Do you not need my help readying for bed?”
    “Tell her no,” he whispered, “or I shall have to hurt you.” He turned her chin so that she could see him. There was no humor in his gaze, and not one speck of amusement on his face. “Perhaps I haven’t been guilty of harming a female up until now, Duchess, but I’m certainly capable of it.”
    Emma reluctantly nodded.
    Slowly, he released his hand from her mouth, resting his knuckles against her cheek, almost a reminder that he would not hesitate to use force.
    She took a deep breath.
    “I don’t require any assistance tonight, Juliana. Go ahead and retire for the night if you wish.”
    “Are you certain, Your Grace?”
    “I am very certain,” she said, making her voice firm and strong. “Sleep well.”
    “Thank you, Your Grace, and you as well.”
    Should her maid sound so surprised? She’d bid her good-night on many occasions.
    The thief moved back from the door, releasing her.
    “Very good, Duchess,” he said.
    Emma sent him a look that should have scorched him in place before sitting on the chair beside the window once again.
    “Take every mirror in the house. I, personally, will see to it that a wagon is loaded up with every single mirror I possess, if it will banish you from my home.”
    “It’s not any mirror, Duchess. It’s a hand mirror made of gold. It’s quite old, with Latin writing on the back. I understand that the most recent addition to it is a ring of diamonds around the glass.”
    He stood leaning against the wall, his arms folded in place, his ankles crossed. He looked as if he were perfectly comfortable standing there for as long as he wished, and she had the sudden and disconcerting thought that he probably could and would.
    She lay her head back against the chair, closed her eyes, and simply ignored him.
    H e studied the Duchess of Herridge and knew that this errand had been foolish. What he should do was leave the same way he’d come and vanish from her sight.
    However, he wasn’t about to leave without the Tulloch mirror, sensibility be damned.
    The chance of her recognizing him was relatively low. He and the Duchess of Herridge did not move in the same circles. He was given more to science, and she was a recluse due to her mourning.
    “How old were you when you married the duke?”
    She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Is that any of your