The Duke Goes Down (The Duke Hunt #1) by Sophie Jordan

Was that accusation in his voice? Did he think she had a lover in this house? That she would take a married man (her cousin’s husband, no less!) into her bed.

Was he jealous?

The idea intrigued her more than it should. She did not want Perry’s interest or his jealousy or his anything. Truly.

“You are one to talk,” she shot back at him. “I did not invite him.” She waved at him. “Just as I did not invite you!”

He angled his head sharply. “Oh, come now. You want me here.”

She blinked, heat flashing through her. “Oh!” She puffed out an indignant breath. “The arrogance of you.”

A familiar squeak scraped over the air. The noise was slight, but she knew it well. She had been meaning to oil the latch for weeks. She turned to stare at her bedchamber door once again, gawking in distress as the latch began to turn down.

Edgar was entering her chamber.





Chapter Twenty




There had never been a need for locks in the vicarage before, but now Imogen yearned for one on her bedchamber door. And locks on her window, for that matter, as this was, apparently, a night for intruders.

The door swung inward and Edgar slunk into her bedchamber in naught but his dressing gown. As though he was in the habit of strolling into her chamber all the time.

She felt the tension radiating from Perry beside her, but she could not take her horrified gaze off Edgar. The wood planks of her floor creaked beneath the weight of his bare feet. She could not believe he was here—that his long, bony feet were treading over her floor.

He wore a haughty grin that quickly faded away once his gaze swept over the room—once he realized she was not alone and there were three of them in the chamber.

She actually felt a flash of relief for Perry’s presence beside her.

Edgar’s gaze shot between her and Perry several times before settling on Perry. He squared his shoulders in his floral-patterned dressing robe as he looked Perry up and down. “What are you doing in here, sirrah?” he demanded.

“What are you doing in here?” Perry countered, taking a threatening step forward. Imogen’s hand shot out to close around his arm, stalling him from doing anything rash.

Edgar opened and closed his mouth several times before turning his accusing gaze on Imogen. “Imogen? What is the meaning of this?”

“My exact question to you,” she returned, lifting her chin up a defiant notch. “What is the meaning of you entering my room uninvited?”

“Indeed,” Perry cut in. “As you can see. She already has company.”

“Perry,” she hissed, mortified. He made it seem as though they . . . as though they were in the midst of an assignation.

“Perry, is it?” Edgar asked tightly.

“And you’re Edgar, Imogen’s cousin’s husband. I wonder what your wife would think of you here? Hm? Shall we call for her and ask for her thoughts on the matter?”

Edgar’s lips pressed into a hard line.

“No?” Perry tilted his head.

Edgar answered with a hard shake of his head.

“Sound decision.” Perry sent a long measuring look her way before facing Edgar again. “Permit me to suggest another sound decision for you.”

Edgar visibly swallowed. “And what would that be?”

Yes. What would that be?

“Pack your things and leave here in the morning.”

“I beg your pardon?” Edgar sputtered. “It is not your place to—”

“You heard him.” Imogen found her voice, appreciating that at least she now had the ammunition to hasten Edgar’s departure. “You’re not welcome here, Edgar.” He was demented to think he ever would be, especially after this latest offense. “Take Winnie and be on your way at first light.”

Edgar attempted a smile. “Come now, Imogen. We cared for each other once.”

“No. That is not how I remember it. Caring does not describe our past association.” She knew that now. Pain and manipulation best described their history. “I don’t know what you thought would happen here tonight, but you need to be gone from this place.” Imogen would not feel safe in her bed until he was gone. She would not sleep a wink as long as he was under her roof. “Be gone in the morning or I will tell Winnie what you attempted here tonight.”

His expression grew tight and pinched, his lips compressed as though he’d sucked on something sour. His gaze flicked back and forth between her and Perry. “Very well. I see that I made a mistake.”

“Yes. You did.”

“Well.” He nodded once. “Good night.” He left then, closing the door behind him with a smart click.

She faced Perry again, her shoulders sagging a bit. It was on the edge of her tongue to thank him, but she stopped herself. She would not thank him. He should not be here. She quickly put aside her relief for his presence in her chamber. Helping her did not absolve him from invading her room.

Sighing, she buried her face in her hands for a moment before lifting her head and settling her gaze back on Perry. “You should go.”

“You want me to leave you?” He glanced to the door with a baleful look, as though he longed to go through it after Edgar. “There’s no lock on that door and he’s still in this house with you.”