Page 24 of Scandal With A Viscount

Her stomach dropped to her boots. Hell and damnation. Max had to choose now to finally make his appearance. There he was, striding across the lawn beside Wesley. From the set of his shoulders, she could tell he was well aware that he had reason to throttle the pair of them.

“Louis.”

“I see him, sweetheart.” Louis's voice was steady, but his jaw had gone tight. “Well. This just got considerably more complicated more quickly than we intended.”

They dismounted in the stable yard. Max was already closing the distance with Wesley a step behind wearing a similar hard expression.

“Where the hell have you been?” Max's voice was controlled. She’d rather he shouted. His gaze moved from Georgie to Louis and back again, taking in their disheveled appearance. His expression hardened in a way she hadn't seen since their father died. “Tell me something that will make me believe this isn’t what this bloody looks like.”

Louis raked his fingers through his hair, and then cast Georgie a soft glance before stepping forward. “Max, we . . . we didn’t mean for it to happen this way.”

“Don't, you bastard.” Max drew his fist back and punched Louis. “I trusted you.”

Louis took it. He didn't even try to block the hit or fight back. Georgie rushed in front of Louis, putting herself between the men before her brother could try to hit him again.

“Max,” she screamed. “Stop. This instant.”

“Don’t try to protect him right now, Georgie.” Max's chest was heaving. His knuckles were red, and his eyes were wild with a fury she'd never seen before. “He was supposed to look after you. And then he ruins you. He takes your virtue and keeps you out all night, ensuring that he’d get what he wanted. He was supposed to keep you safe, and he goes and does this.”

She held her ground between them, one hand pressed against Max's chest. “Max. Brother. Listen to me. We love each other. We didn’t plan for it to happen this way, but we’re going to marry and you are going to support it.”

Max’s expression hardened. “Of course you’re going to marry. That’s what happens when you court scandal by spreading your legs and ruining yourself with my supposed friend, sister. You get to marry the arse.”

“Don’t you dare speak to her that way,” Louis growled, trying to move her to the side, but she wouldn’t budge.

“I was already ruined as you so eloquently speak of me, brother. I’m certain you can’t count the number of women who have wet your wick, so keep your judgement about how I live my life to yourself. And do not put your hands on him again.”

Max's mouth opened and closed. The fury was still there but something else had broken through—shock and confusion about what she’d revealed. Wesley glanced between them, appearing uncertain what to do.

“What do you mean, already ruined?” His voice had lost its edge. It was quieter now, which was worse.

“There are things I hoped you’d never need to know.” She drew a breath and held his gaze. “Dunblane. Lord Dunblane, who is currently a guest in this house. You will recall that he paid me interest in my first Season, and I was foolish enough to think I might marry him. I stupidly gave him what it was he truly wanted. Then he moved on to his next conquest. That’s why I’ve shunned the idea of marriage.” She glanced back at Louis, his chest heaving as it was obvious that very little would hold him back from going after Max. “Until now that is.”

Louis’s expression softened, and she turned back to face her brother. The color had drained from Max's face.

“I’m the one who pursued Louis. I can be quite convincing, as you well know. And we fell in love. That is the extent of what you need to know, brother. Louis didn’t take anything from me or force my hand. You are going to support the match, and you are not going to punish either of us for being as happy as we are.”

Max stood very still. His gaze dropped to the ground, and his jaw worked. When he looked up, his eyes were remorseful.

“You could have come to me.” His voice was hoarse. “I would have killed the bloody bastard.”

“That’s exactly why I couldn’t tell you, Max.”

Louis stepped closer and wrapped his arm around Georgie’s waist, pulling her close. Just the feel of him made her entire body ache with need. Nothing had ever been as intense as the love she had for the man beside her. She looked up at him. His jaw was swelling where Max had hit him, and she wanted to slap her brother for doing that to her future husband.

“I really want your blessing, Max,” Louis started. “Georgie is of age and doesn’t need your permission, but I’d still like to have it. And mark my words, I have every intention of dealing with Dunblane on behalf of my betrothed.”

Max looked at Louis. The fire had left his expression.

“You love my sister.”

It wasn’t a question.

“More than I thought I was capable of.”

Tears welled in the corner of her eyes at his declaration.

Max turned to Georgie. “And you love him? You want to marry him? I don’t care what occurred between the two of you. Tell me now, and you won’t have to marry him. I’ll never make you marry someone who took advantage of you.”