‘Can you manage, Christian, or shall I release this beauty in order to assist you?’
Christian glared across the bedchamber at his brother-in-law as he carefully sat up on the bed; Marcus was one of his best friends as well as his brother-in-law, but that did not change the fact that he also had an infuriating knack for the understatement.
‘Ah, I see you have decided to manage on your own.’ Marcus’s green eyes were alight with curiosity. ‘Perhaps you would care to make the introductions?’ He arched a pointed black brow at the young woman whose wrist he now held securely in order to prevent her from leaving.
Christian’s glare turned to a scowl. ‘What are you doing here, Marcus?’
The other man looked completely unruffled, by Christian’s taciturn tone and Lisette’s continued efforts to release herself.
‘I am here to see you, of— Ouch!’ Marcus looked down in surprise as one of Lisette’s tiny booted feet came down painfully on his instep. ‘A hellion, by God!’ he murmured admiringly.
Christian would have warned the other man, in regard to Lisette’s temper, if he was not feeling quite so out of sorts with Marcus himself.
Having sent word ahead for his coach to arrive in Portsmouth, he should perhaps have realised that his overprotective sister, and consequently his totally besotted brother-in-law, would keep themselves apprised of his movements.
‘Just so,’ he confirmed drily as he settled himself more comfortably on the side of the bed. ‘Lisette, the man you just assaulted is Marcus Wilding, the Duke of Worthing, and married to my sister Julianna.’
Lisette ceased her struggles instantly to instead look up at the devilishly handsome man holding her prisoner; green eyes were dancing merrily down at her as he met what was no doubt her shocked gaze.
Of course she was surprised at meeting yet another duke; indeed, she seemed to be meeting more than her fair share of them recently.
‘And you are...?’ this new duke queried pointedly.
‘I am—’
‘Lisette Duprée, my ward,’ Christian Seaton answered the other man challengingly, or so it seemed to Lisette.
And no doubt it was; if this was Christian Seaton’s brother-in-law, then he must know that the other man did not have a ward. Or, at the very least, he had not done so the last time the two of them had met.
‘My ward,’ Christian repeated firmly.
‘Your French ward?’ The Duke of Worthing arched questioning brows.
‘As I said.’ The other man nodded stiffly.
Lisette now found herself the focus of Marcus Wilding’s narrowed gaze as he obviously tried to make sense of Christian’s announcement. ‘I am—I was—I am travelling to visit my relatives in England, monsieur, and His Grace was kind enough to offer to act as my guardian for the duration of the voyage.’ A guilty blush coloured her cheeks even as she spoke the lie.
‘Really?’ Those dark brows arched even higher. ‘She speaks no English at all, Christian?’ He addressed the other man in that language.
Christian’s jaw tightened at the almost accusatory tone he could hear in his brother-in-law’s voice. ‘I will explain all later, Marcus.’
‘I am not the one you will need to explain yourself to,’ the other man assured him ruefully.
‘Maystone—’
‘I was thinking more of Julianna, actually,’ Marcus drawled mockingly. ‘Although I am sure Maystone will be interested in this...development too.’
Christian frowned at thoughts of both Julianna and Maystone. But the die had been cast now, his claim made, and he had no intention of abandoning Lisette to interrogation by either Maystone or Julianna.
‘Care to explain the reason why you’re currently...incapacitated?’ His brother-in-law indicated his injured thigh.
‘Again, not now,’ Christian answered tightly.
Amusement darkened Marcus’s eyes. ‘The hellion did not shoot you, did she?’
Christian’s eyes narrowed. ‘No.’
‘Then perhaps one of her outraged relatives?’