Eva stood for a moment and considered her options. Lord Benham would never speak openly about his sister’s predicament. Certainly not to Mr Ashwood. Certainly not where cunning gossips hovered like vultures waiting to scavenge morsels of meat.
And then she spotted the devil glaring at her from an alcove, his arms folded in defiance.
The icy grip of fear chilled her to the bone.
It wasn’t his unpleasant appearance that made her mouth dry and hands shake. It was the callous look in his eyes, the brutal curl of his lips.
He pushed away from the wall—his curt nod a command to follow—and entered the room opposite.
Only a fool would do his bidding. Only a fool would place herself at risk. But she cared about Clara. Guilt’s blade was still embedded in Eva’s chest. Firmly rooted. Deeply painful. Something had to be done about this man who was, without doubt, the cause of her problems.
And so, after waiting a moment until the corridor was clear, she entered Lucifer’s lair.
“Lock the door, Miss Dunn.” Lord Benham’s strict instruction echoed from the dark depths of the room. “I’ll not have anyone stumble upon our tryst.”
Eva swallowed to temper her nerves. She pressed her foot against the door, turned the handle and fiddled with the key, tricking him into believing it was locked.
“This is not a tryst,” she said, whirling round to look for his monstrous silhouette amid the shadows of Lord Newberry’s library. “It’s an attempt at a treaty, an opportunity to form an alliance. After all, we share a common interest.”
“I gave you an opportunity to form an alliance, Miss Dunn. An opportunity you’ve refused at every turn.” His derisive snort turned her stomach. “We have no other common interest.”
Gathering her courage, Eva took a few tentative steps forward. “That’s not true. We both care about Clara.”
Lord Benham ground his teeth. “You permitted your brother to take advantage of a naive girl. Is that how you treat those you care for, Miss Dunn? No doubt you saw it as a means of revenge.”
Eva ignored his cruel taunts. “What have you done with Howard? Is he … is he dead?”
The devil prowled towards her, closing the gap between them. The shadows made his disproportioned features seem more grotesque. “As I told Finlay Cole when he probed me earlier, I’ve not seen the pathetic fop for days. With luck, his creditors have strung him up from Bloody Bridge and spilt his innards.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He shrugged. “Do I look like I care?”
No, those black eyes were soulless pits. Pits of nothingness.
“Did you arrange for someone to attack me in the street? Was it revenge for the callous way my brother treated Clara?”
An inscrutable smile formed on the viscount’s lips. He stepped closer, forcing her to shuffle back until her bottom came to rest against Lord Newberry’s imposing desk.
“I can protect you from mindless thugs. I can save you from those who might seek to take advantage of a woman living alone. I shall permit you to see Clara and the child. I’ll give you one last chance to surrender. Surrender yourself to me, and you may make amends.”
Make amends?
Lord Benham was a man of threats and ultimatums. Winning was his only motivation. His power made most women overlook his mean spirit and repulsive countenance. There wasn’t an incentive in the world that could make Eva overlook his callous manner.
“I don’t blame you for hating my brother. I despise him, too.”
“Hate is too mild a word.”
“And yet this all started because of a bet you made.” Eva raised her chin, determined to continue, though her defensive walls were shaking, close to crumbling. “This began because you were intent on ruining an innocent for sport. You’ve insulted me at every turn. Even now, you offer a place in your bed but not as your wife.” Not that she would ever accept an offer from this beast. “You’re no different from Howard. You’re both scheming, lying cheats who frighten women to get your own way.”
Eva was so keen to tell this blackguard what she thought, she failed to note the hardening of his jaw or the sparks of rage in his eyes. Indeed, it wasn’t until he grabbed her chin and pressed his overbearing body to hers that she feared she had gone too far.
“Damn beguiling witch.” His empty eyes fell to her heaving bosom. “You tease men with your smart little mouth. Taunt them with rare glimpses of flesh. You profess independence, but it’s a guise for you to behave like a wanton.”
Eva gulped. “Howard verbally defiles me when he cannot get his way.” Fear forced her to push the viscount’s chest. “You’re the same. Both equally delusional.”
This time he grabbed her cheeks in a bruising grip and squeezed hard. “Give yourself to me, else you shall suffer the consequences.”
A sudden sliver of light sliced through the darkness as the door creaked open. Eva sought to cry out, to beg for help, but there wasn’t a man alive who would challenge Lord Benham.
Well—perhaps there was one.
“Release the lady, Benham. Take your complaint up with me.” Mr Ashwood closed the door and stepped into the room. The way he tugged the cuffs on his coat said he meant business. “Though I should warn you, this is a battle you won’t win.”
The viscount shot Mr Ashwood a scowl. “This has nothing to do with you, Ashwood. If you’re looking for a fight, your uncle is in the card room.”
“My fight is with you, Benham. Release the lady, else I shall break every one of those fingers marring her skin.” Mr Ashwood’s menacing tone would have Satan seeking sanctuary. Dark shadows danced across his fine features. His green eyes were serpent-like. Focused. Deadly.
“We’re done here,” Lord Benham said so as not to look cowardly when he released his grip and stepped back. “Miss Dunn clings to her chastity with the lofty arrogance of an abbess. Your threat leads me to conclude the abbess has already strayed from the righteous path.”
“Some
