The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

Instead of answering Hart, Ian moved his gaze from the candle flame and fixed it on Violet, or at least on Violet’s shoulder. “Well?” Hart said, his voice rough with impatience. There was love there, a powerful love that Violet had rarely seen.

Hart was still angry, Violet could see, but when he looked at Ian, his face softened. Ian walked into the room, his gaze going not to the two people standing in the middle of it, but to the flame of the candle on the dresser. The voice that rumbled through the open door to Violet’s room didn’t come from Daniel. “You were outside, in the grass, with a woman, drinking brandy-to keep warm no doubt. “I’m not a fool, Your Grace.” Violet assessed him again. To Violet’s surprise, the duke took on a look of pure astonishment. The duchess is a kind soul, and she doesn’t deserve to be betrayed by one such as you.” Or maybe I will, if you don’t leave me in peace. In return I won’t let on to your wife that you were with a woman tonight. You let the decision for me to leave be mine and Daniel’s, on our terms. “A bargain you could easily forget.” Violet met Hart’s gaze with a pride to rival his. I’ll simply give it to you-after you’ve walked away from Daniel.” She’d concluded that Daniel was right that she should face Jacobi and finish with him, and then the rest of her life was hers. When her association with Daniel was over, she’d need money. The desperate voice inside her told her to reach out and take what he offered.

“I don’t want your money.” Violet stopped. “He’s from a family that makes notoriously bad choices.

That Hart could equate Violet with the steely little debutante hurt. Lady Victoria had slavered over Daniel’s wealth, powerful family, and handsomeness, and hadn’t cared one whit for the man himself. Violet remembered young Lady Victoria, who’d clung to Daniel’s arm while she all but demanded Violet predict that Daniel would marry her. Any woman would like to get her claws into him.” “Daniel is young, he’s wealthy, he’s generous. “You might ask Daniel what he wants,” Violet said, voice losing its steadiness. Daniel called her strong, but she knew she wasn’t strong enough to leave Daniel behind for his own good. Now that Hart stood before her and told her to go, however, Violet knew what the pain of it would be.

The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley