(1990) Seduction by Amanda Quick

Author:Amanda Quick [Quick, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, love_history
ISBN: 9780553283549
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 1990-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

“Perhaps,” said Julian with an icy calm that was impressive under the circumstances, “you will be good enough to explain this entire matter from the beginning.”

The words shattered the ominous silence that had gripped the library since Sophy had cautiously walked through the door a few minutes earlier. Julian had sat, unmoving, behind his massive desk, studying her with his customary inscrutable expression for a long while before choosing to begin what would no doubt be a most unpleasant interview.

Sophy took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “You already know the essentials of the situation.”

“I know you must have received one of Featherstone’s blackmail notes. I would very much appreciate it if you would be so good as to explain why you did not immediately turn it over to me.”

“She approached me, not you, with her threat. I considered it a matter of honor to respond.”

Julian’s eyes narrowed. “Honor, madam?”

“If the situation were reversed, my lord, you would have handled the matter as I did. You cannot deny it.”

“If the situation were reversed?” he repeated blankly. “What the devil are you talking about?”

“You understand me quite well, I am certain, my lord.” Sophy realized she was hovering between tears and fury. It was a volatile combination of emotions. “If some man had approached you with a threat to print the details of a… a past indiscretion of mine, you would have called him out. You know you would have done exactly what I did. You cannot deny it.”

“Sophy, that’s ludicrous,” Julian snapped. “This is hardly the same sort of situation. Don’t you dare draw any parallels between your reprehensible actions this morning and what you imagine I would have done in similar circumstances.”

“Why not? Am I to be denied the chance to meet the dictates of honor just because I am a female?”

“Yes, damn it. I mean, no. By God, do not try to confuse the issue. Honor does not require from you what it would require from me in the same situation and you damn well know it.”

“It seems to me only fair that I be entitled to live up to the same code as you, my lord.”

“Only fair? Fairness has nothing to do with this.”

“Am I to have no recourse in such situations, my lord?” Sophy demanded tightly. “No way to avenge myself? No way to settle a matter of honor?”

“Sophy, pay attention to me. As your husband it is my duty to avenge you, should that be required. And I am telling you here and now that it had better not ever be required. There is, however, no reversal of the situation. It is inconceivable.”

“Well, you had best try to conceive of it, my lord, for that is precisely what happened. Nor were you the one called upon to deal with it. I was and I did the honorable thing. I do not see how you can fault me in this, Julian.”

He stared at her, looking thoroughly taken aback for a few seconds before recovering himself. “Not fault you? Sophy, what you did today was outrageous and disgraceful.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.