All The Ways To Ruin A Rogue(92)
“Interesting?”
“Amusing,” he amended. She frowned, not sure she liked that any better than being called interesting.
“I did not realize we were the subject of your amusement.”
“I was curious to see how the two of ye are getting along in your new marriage.”
And she had come here alone. Without Max. What must he think? She stifled a cringe and told herself she did not care what Mackenzie or anyone else thought of her.
“We are doing quite well. Thank you for your well wishes.” She smiled tightly, well aware that he had not precisely wished them well.
He angled his head. “Your husband is an interesting man.”
Interesting? Max? That was a fair assessment. He had long fascinated her.
Mackenzie continued, “I was not at all surprised when I learned the news of your marriage. Not after Lord Camden paid me a call.”
She whipped her head around, scrutinizing him anew. “My husband paid you a visit?” Max made no attempt to disguise his dislike for Mackenzie. Why would he call on him?
The Scotsman nodded as though it were of no real significance. “Yes. Following our encounter at . . .” His voice faded but she knew to what he was referring. Max had called on him after he returned her home from Sodom. It would have been very late. Practically the middle of the night. Why would he have done such a thing?
Mackenzie must have read her bewilderment. He stepped closer, his deep burr a low whisper. “I believe he wanted to guarantee my discretion on your behalf. I assured him he need not concern himself on that account. It is no’ a hobby of mine to ruin young ladies.”
She flushed and nodded once. Max had done that? She supposed she shouldn’t be surprised. He had always expressed concern for her reputation. Perhaps she should have been more concerned about Mackenzie’s inclination to keep her secret.
“Lord Camden takes his responsibilities very seriously.” If her voice sounded strained, she was hopeful he did not notice.
“Verra seriously indeed.” He chuckled, his gaze skimming her appreciatively. “And ye were one of his responsibilities even before marriage? Now that is what I find most interesting.”
Her flush burned deeper, and she knew she must be blushing bright red. She watched as his moss green eyes traveled over the length of her before settling on her face.
“Then I suppose you weren’t surprised to learn we had wed.”
He chuckled deeply again. “Ah, no. Not at all. Considering the real purpose of his visit was to warn me off you—”
“What?” She turned and faced him fully, not even pretending interest in the couple at the front of the room anymore.
“Are you so astonished? He warned me to stay away . . .”
“Away?”
“Yes. He warned me away from you.”
Aurelia blinked and stared unseeingly at the elegant folds of his cravat for a long moment, trying to understand what he was saying. Max had warned Struan Mackenzie to stay away from her? It all clicked into place then. “That’s why you did not call on me again?”
Mackenzie shrugged. “We came to a gentlemen’s agreement.”
About her. They came to an agreement about her. As though she weren’t a person but a piece of meat to be fought over? A matter—not a person—upon which to be negotiated. It wasn’t to be borne.