Sins of a Duke(42)

“Do you understand how dangerous it is for you to be here?” he asked as they entered.

“To my reputation?”

“Yes.”

“I doubt I am in danger of being recognized. I was very discreet.”

She held her breath at the look he leveled on her. He arched his brow insolently and glanced around the library, driving home how secluded they were and that she had deliberately snuck out to be at his club. Her cheeks flamed.

He rang a bell and a butler showed up as if he had been stationed at the door.

“Bring the carriage around for the lady. She will be leaving shortly.”

She waited until the butler closed the door. “I am not leaving,” she said firmly. “Not until you explain to me in full why you decided to end our friendship.”

“I was not aware we were friends.”

“You know what I mean, Lucan.” Constance moved and perched on the side of the sofa, her entire attention on him. “I deserve to know what happened. What you think warranted treating me with such disregard. I have been in a torment of doubt wondering why you decided to halt your courtship. I refuse to be that person where I do not ask for answers, but speculate in misery.”

“I was never courting you.”

She slowly stood from her perch. “I know you never declared to my family but—”

Her words tapered off as he walked over to her, and from the look on his face she knew she would not like what he was about to say.

“I only got close to you so I could use you against Calydon.”

She was sure she misheard. “I beg your pardon?”

“Calydon ruined my sister, and I thought it apt to ruin his in return. That was all, Constance.”

There was a loud buzzing in her head as she tried to comprehend. Lucan had only been using her? To hurt Sebastian? Her mind latched onto possibly the safest topic so she would not lose control. “You have a sister?”

“Had.”

Someone that I held dear was used, disgraced, and abandoned by someone who claimed to love her.

Constance stepped around him, her hands clasped together to prevent their shaking. She spun to see he had turned with her, watching her with an expression of indifference. “Your sister was the one you held dear to you…that died?”

She saw the answer in his eyes. Some raw and powerful emotion flashed in his silver gaze before the shutters came down.

She nodded weakly. “I see. And everything between us, our carriage rides, picnic, kisses and…”—she flushed—“you were just using me?” He had wanted to ruin her as Sebastian had ruined his sister. Good heavens! She pressed a fist to her stomach, suddenly unsure if she wanted the answer. “Tell me about your sister, please, Lucan. I know Sebastian would never hurt anyone intentionally.”

“No,” Lucan growled, anger leaping to his face. “My sister will never be up for discussion. You wanted answers as to why I am not interested in you. You have it.” He stalked over to Constance, and she took a wary step backward. Her back pressed against the bookcase, and she lifted her chin as he stopped so close she felt the heat of him.

“My interest in you was only to use you to hurt Calydon, nothing more. I had intended for you to be seen with me at Lady Beaumont’s ball in a compromising position.”

Her heart stopped beating.

He visibly gritted his teeth. “But I could not do it. I realized, albeit a little late, that Calydon’s sin was not yours to bear. But it seems I may still get my wish, for you are here, behaving with reckless disregard for your tenuous position in society!”

Lucan had planned on compromising her? She felt mortified. She had really believed he had been courting her, that he was falling in love with her. But it had all been about lowering her defenses, leading her to ruin. A cold chill washed over her. “You never intended to court me, to offer for me?” Constance asked in a suffocated voice.

“No,” he said softly. “I have no intention of marrying you or any other society miss.”

“Then why did you kiss me, touch me?”

“You made it appallingly easy to be seduced, Lady Constance.”

The pain clawing at Constance’s throat burned away under the rush of rage, and her hand flew as if by its own volition to slap him. With a quick reflex that startled her, he captured her hand in a gentle hold.

“Constance—”

“Don’t speak my name,” she breathed. “I suppose you think because you did not compromise me you were acting honorably? Well let me tell you, Your Grace, you are a coward,” she choked out. “I do not believe the passion and time we shared was all to ruin me. That could have been achieved without our rides and many outings. I know why you chose to pull away, but you are such a damn coward you prefer to hurt me for a vengeance you do not wish to explain. I see how you watch me, how you smile when I laugh. I feel your hunger for me, and I even know when you are aroused and trying to hide it. I hope your vengeance will keep you warm and satisfied for years to come. I will see myself out.”