Chapter 7. 1811 

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WARNING: this chapter contains scenes of attempted rape.
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Jacqueline stared at the gentleman before her, feeling her wolf shrink back into her head. What the bloody hell did Lord Charles Watson want from her? She glared at him, trying to keep her fear at bay.
Charles smiled wickedly, stepping forward. "My my, it seems the lovely Miss Jacqueline Bradford has already been claimed."
Jacqueline growled, her hand moving up to cradle her Marc protectively. She glared at him. "Yes Lord Watson, I have been marked by someone."
Charles smiled wickedly, his eyes sparkling like dark gray storm clouds. His lips came to rest at her ear. "Such a shame, I was hoping to have you."
Jacqueline started shaking again, her fear melting her resolve. "I don't want you Lord Watson. I have already been marked by the Duke of Rutland."
Charles growled, his lips coming dangerously close to hers. "Pity, because I was wanting to have you in my bed. What does the bloody Duke of Rutland have that I don't?"
Jacqueline swallowed hard, her wolf whimpering in her head. "The Duke of Rutland has many qualities that you don't possess. He is kind and gentle, attentive and compassionate. He adores me."
Charles moved his fingertips along her neck. "Does he kiss you properly?"
Jacqueline felt her heart stop. "What?"
Charles smiled deviously. "Does the Duke of Rutland kiss you properly?"
Jacqueline tried pulling away, but Lord Watson held her fast. She had nowhere to go. "Yes he does."
Charles. "Well then, I do believe I can make quite the improvement."
Before Jacqueline had any time to react, Charles was kissing her hard. She whimpered as his canines bit down into her bottom lip, and she tasted blood. She growled, trying to push him away, but her attempts were feeble. He was much too strong.
Charles purred with delight, his lips moving to the mark on her neck. "What I wouldn't give to make you mine. To feel your naked body beneath my own. To fuck you senseless until I broke you."
Jacqueline realized she wouldn't be a damsel in distress, not that night. With a vicious growl, she raised her right knee and slammed it into Lord Watson's groin. She tried running back into the ballroom, but then yelped as Charles grabbed her around the waist. Before she had any time to react, she was thrown roughly to the ground.
Charles snarled viciously, his canines exposed. "You filthy bitch! You will rule the day you did this!"
A thunderous growl echoed behind them. "You will rule the day you put your hands on my mate you bastard!"
Jacqueline took a breath of relief as she saw Nathaniel grab Charles around the neck. She dropped onto her side, curling up into a ball before rising to her feet. She moved away from the two gentlemen, pressing herself against the wall.
Charles whimpered, struggling to breathe as Nathaniel tightened his grasp around his neck. "Your grace, I didn't realize that you are the Duke of Rutland Miss Bradford was referring to."
Nathaniel snarled, his eyes blazing with fury. "Let me make one thing clear to you Watson. Jacqueline is mine. If you so much as glance at her during a ball, I will make sure your neck is snapped off your body. Do I make myself clear?"
Charles whimpered, shaking with fear. "Yes your grace, I understand."
Nathaniel growled, dropping the gentleman to the ground. "Leave my home immediately."
Whimpering, Charles staggered to his feet, and without glancing at Jacqueline, turned and rushed back into the ballroom. Moments later, the sound of his carriage could be heard driving away.
Nathaniel turned toward Jacqueline, his eyes returning to their normal shade of blue green. He slowly walked toward her, one hand outstretched. "Are you hurt?"
Jacqueline shook her head. She closed the distance between them, taking both of his hands into hers. "I am perfectly fine, that bastard was more hurt than me."
Nathaniel smiled before pressing his lips to hers for a passionate kiss. "You were brilliant for kicking him in the cock. He is going to have quite the bruise in the morning."
Jacqueline giggled. "He certainly is."
Nathaniel pressed a soft kiss to her mark, which she eagerly returned. "Do you wish to continue dancing or retire to my bedroom?"
Jacqueline's eyes started sparkling. "By retire to your bedroom, do you mean to sleep your grace?"
Nathaniel purred against her neck, licking her mark. "No, I don't mean to sleep. I mean to make love."
Jacqueline smiled. "Then let us retire to your bedroom."
Exchanging a deep and passionate kiss, they re-entered the ballroom. After telling James and Bridget of their plan to retire, they snuck out and made their way upstairs. Once alone inside Nathaniel's bedroom, their clothing was removed and desire took flight.

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