At the Spanish Duke's Command by Fiona Hood-Stewart Page A

felt suddenly sordid, wicked and deceitful. Now those feelings alternated every few minutes—disgust at herself countered with elation, leaving her in a state of emotional exhaustion.
    Juan hadn’t been near the house, which only proved that her first instinct had been right. Now that he’d satisfied his desire to go to bed with her he would avoid her like the plague and move on. Not only did Georgiana feel ashamed, she felt used—even though she recognised that she had only herself to blame. She’d been aware of the circumstances right from the start and, to give him his due, Juan had never pretended anything different. But still she resented him.
    Finally the bell rang to signal the end of class and she picked up her things. Outside it was a beautiful early October day. A mild breeze blew and she swept her hair from her face. All of a sudden she saw a red Ferrari pulling up. Seconds later Juan jumped out, and, ignoring the envious looks from a group of young men who were staring at the vehicle, came immediately to her side.
    â€œGeorgiana. I’ve come to take you home,” he said inthat familiar commanding tone that had once so annoyed her.
    â€œYou needn’t bother,” she said coolly. “I can find my own way.”
    â€œWell, I’m here now. You might as well take advantage of the ride,” he said, opening the door, making it impossible for her to refuse without appearing churlish. Reluctantly Georgiana sat in the passenger seat, horrified to feel her hands shaking. Just the sight of Juan was enough to leave her breathless. His flashing black eyes were looking at her so arrogantly, stripping her, letting her know that he’d possessed each nook and cranny of her being. It left her devastated.
    â€œGeorgiana, we need to talk,” he said, as the car swerved out of the university car park and on to the road.
    â€œThere’s nothing to talk about,” she said, looking stonily ahead.
    â€œI think there is.”
    â€œReally? About your wedding, perhaps? Your fiancée was over at the apartment today. I gather the ceremony is to take place next month. You must be excited.”
    â€œDon’t be sarcastic, Georgiana. It doesn’t suit you.”
    â€œIt may not suit me, but it expresses exactly how I feel.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” he replied stiffly, changing gears.
    â€œAre you? You could have fooled me,” she threw, suddenly bitter that this man, to whom she’d given so much of herself, was about to abandon her for another woman in a question of days. “I don’t know how you have the nerve to pretend to Leticia like this,” she said suddenly, a knot forming in her throat. “In fact I feel sorry for her.”
    â€œWe’ll leave Leticia out of this, if you please.”
    â€œOh, will we?” She whirled round, facing him now, eyes ablaze with anger. “I don’t suppose she deserves anything as commonplace as a truthful explanation? Poor woman. What kind of a marriage is she getting into?”
    â€œThe kind of marriage she expects to get into,” he replied matter-of-factly, not taking his eyes off the road while weaving his way through the afternoon traffic.
    â€œI doubt it,” she threw back. “I can’t believe that any woman would want to marry a man ready to subject her to the kind of humiliation you obviously have in store for her. Which reminds me of something else I have to tell you.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” He stopped as they reached traffic lights and looked at her.
    â€œI’m leaving,” she said, her voice trembling despite every effort to contain her emotions. “I’m going back to England.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous,” he said harshly.
    â€œNo, it’s not. I’ve had enough. I don’t want to remain here a minute longer. In fact I’ll leave tonight, if I can get a ticket.”
    â€œYou will do no such thing,”