The Spanish Duke's Virgin Bride(12)

‘I’m afraid that becoming your whore is not an option I’d ever consider,’ she snapped, her fingers itching to slap the supercilious grin from his face. ‘I’d rather die first.’

His low chuckle fanned the flames of her temper. ‘Then it’s fortunate for both of us that I’m not into sacrificial virgins,’ he mocked.

Grace blinked, and her cheeks flooded with colour. How did he know? Could he tell? Did she have the word ‘untouched’ tattooed across her forehead?

‘I’ve never bartered for sexual favours in my life, and I’ve no intention of starting now,’ he informed her arrogantly. His hand settled heavily on her shoulder and he steered her firmly over to the door. ‘You’ve wasted quite enough of my time. I suggest that you go home and employ the services of a good lawyer. Angus is going to need one.’

Common sense warned Grace that silence was her most dignified option, but to hell with dignity, she thought furiously. Her pride was in tatters and she had never felt so angry in her life. ‘You’re utterly heartless,’ she threw at him, her words spilling out in an angry torrent as she failed to mask her disappointment that she had been unable to help her father.

‘I know Angus has done wrong, and believe me so does he. If you could only see him you’d realise that he’s destroyed by guilt. But he took the money because of love, and because he could see no other way.’ Her voice trembled with emotion as she remembered the last traumatic weeks of her mother’s life, and her father’s desolation that ultimately he had been unable to save his beloved Susan.

Javier’s bored expression conveyed his lack of interest and Grace gave up. ‘You don’t have any idea about real life, do you? You were born into unimaginable wealth, and you sit here in your castle and lord it over everyone else. Do you know something? I feel sorry for you,’ she told him bitterly. ‘I don’t believe you’ve ever experienced love, or that anyone has ever loved you.’

‘You could be right.’ Javier’s brows had drawn together in a frown, but now he opened the door and propelled her into the corridor. His wide smile revealed a flash of white teeth and his curious amber eyes glowed with genuine humour. ‘But, let me assure you, it’s a state of affairs that suits me perfectly. Adios, Miss Beresford.’

‘Wait!’ The door was already closing and Grace quickly jammed her foot in the gap, aware of how easy it would be for him to crush her bones against the frame. ‘Do you want me to beg? Is that it?’ she asked desperately. ‘Because I’ll do whatever it takes to save my father.’

As she spoke she dropped to her knees, her pride cast aside. ‘I won’t allow Dad to go to prison. There has to be some way that I can be of use to you—I’ll willingly cook, clean…’ she glanced along the corridor at the seemingly miles of stone floor ‘…scrub your floors. I’m not afraid of hard work, and I’ll do anything…as long as it’s moral.’ She bit down hard on her lip until she tasted blood and stared at him, willing him to give her a chance.

Javier’s jaw tightened and his golden eyes burned into her skin as he allowed his gaze to travel in a leisurely fashion over her yellow sundress, noting its narrow shoulder straps and pretty lace-edged bodice that revealed the delicate curve of her breasts.

It was like being propositioned by a nun, he mused sardonically. Her air of innocence was all the more intriguing because common sense told him it couldn’t be real. From his report on her he knew she’d had her share of relationships, notably with a successful insurance broker called Richard Quentin who was several years older than her and who had a reputation around London as a ladies’ man.

According to the report, she’d been briefly engaged to Quentin. It was impossible to believe that they hadn’t been lovers, so why bother with the pretence of virginal shyness? And why the hell didn’t he just get rid of her, instead of fantasising about exploring her soft, full lips with his own?

‘Why have you come to me?’ he queried harshly. ‘Why not offer your…’ he paused and purposefully allowed his eyes to linger on her breasts ‘…services to some other wealthy man?’

‘I don’t know any,’ Grace replied bluntly. ‘And with Littlecote about to be sold, I have nothing to offer as collateral against a bank loan. I’m out of options. Señor Herrera, I’m serious about repaying the money Angus took—every penny of it,’ she added fiercely when he looked unimpressed. ‘I’m not sure how yet, but somehow I will clear my father’s debts. All I’m asking is that you give me time, and your agreement to settle out of court.’