All The Ways To Ruin A Rogue(57)

            She stared blindly at the curtains, stiffening her spine where she sat. Had she really been on the verge of apologizing to him? For what? Trying to scratch beneath the surface for a glimpse of what he kept hidden from the world.

            The carriage rolled to a stop and the driver knocked, signaling their arrival. Her hand flew to the latch, but Max’s hard voice stopped her.

            “If you’re so resolved to marry . . . Mackenzie or someone else, then what were you doing at Sodom?”

            Good question, and a little too mortifying to answer with any semblance of truth. How could she reveal that she worried no one would ask her before the Season ended? That she was, perhaps foolishly, trying to make a memory?

            “Aurelia.” His hand circled her wrist, exerting the barest pressure, demanding an answer and keeping her from leaving, even though they sat parked not far from her home.

            “I just wanted . . . a good time.”

            “A good time?” He inched closer, his knees bumping hers. “Is that what you were having when I showed up? A good time?”

            “A little.” She tossed her head, sliding a loose curl off her shoulder and down her back. “I had barely arrived when you showed up. You interrupted me before I could even get started.”

            “Pardon me for ruining your fun, then.” His voice rang with anger, and she knew he believed her. There was that at least. He didn’t know that she was having an abysmal time and on the verge of leaving. She didn’t want him to even suspect that he had ruined Sodom for her.

            He continued, “But I don’t think your brother would have approved of me leaving you to your own devices in Sodom just so you could have a good time.” She heard the censure in his voice, which struck her as the height of absurdity.

            “You’re no one to cast stones. How often do you go there?” She shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t want to know the sordid details of your life. I know enough already.”

            He answered her anyway. “You’re not me.”

            “Clearly. Or I would be having a far more enjoyable time right now.” She should just come out and tell him that she hadn’t even been enjoying herself when he showed up, but she could not bring herself to say the words . . . to give him even the slightest satisfaction.

            Instead, she heard the lie tripping off her lips, “I’ll just have to keep going back until I’m fortunate enough to choose a night you aren’t there.”

            He pulled her closer, until she was practically in his lap and their noses inches from touching. “You will not go back there.”

            “You have no authority over me.”

            “Damn it, Aurelia,” he growled, his hand sliding to hold her face, fingers spearing through her hair. “You’re leaving me with little choice.”

            Unease skittered across her already knotted shoulders. “What do you mean?”

            A long moment passed. His mouth was so close she could almost taste it.

            “I’m going to have to tell Will.”

            His words landed like a blow. She pulled away. His hand slid from her face. “Tell Will what?” she demanded, deliberately failing to grasp his meaning because he couldn’t possibly mean he would tell her brother about her venturing out to Sodom.

            “About tonight and the last time.”

            “You wouldn’t dare!” she charged.

            “I don’t see any other way to stop you from hurting yourself.”