Moira crammed her arms between them and managed to get one hand flat on his chest to give herself some room. She kept moving her head so he couldn’t capture her mouth. “Stop it!” Moira used her most authoritative voice, her words ringing clearly and sharply.

His expression turned ugly and he tightened his hold, grinding his hips to hers. “You little tease!”

He held her so tightly that she couldn’t bring her heel down on his instep, so she kicked him in the shin as hard as she could.

He grunted, his hold slackening as she twisted free. The second she had room, she tugged her pistol from her pocket, pressing the tip firmly against his chest.

Ross’s eyes widened and he froze. “You—That’s—What do you—” His mouth opened and closed as she cocked the pistol.

“It’s time for you to retire for the evening.”

An ugly red flush rose across his neck and cheeks. “You wanted me to kiss you! You practically begged me!”

“No, I agreed to kiss you once. And I did not invite you to assault me.”

“I didn’t assault you.” His lips thinned when she lifted her brows.

She stepped back, keeping the pistol aimed steadily on his chest. “You touched me and ripped my gown and tried to—”

“Fine!” He eyed her and her pistol with disfavor. “I suppose you’ll tell your husband about this.”

Of course she was going to tell Robert though she dreaded his reaction. We’ll find that secret chamber without Ross’s help. “Open the doors. In the morning, once Hurst and I have that box, we will leave.”

“What if I refuse?”

“Then I will shoot you and leave Hurst to deal with the mess. He’s very good at cleaning up unpleasant situations.”

“Your husband couldn’t butter his own bread, much less deal with any kind of situation. But fine—I’ll open the doors. And you, my little tease, can go to hell!” Muttering under his breath, he walked to the doors and threw them open. “There!” he said in a sharp tone. “Now be gone!”

Moira backed out, slipping her pistol away as soon as the footmen standing outside the doors came into sight. Ignoring their surprised looks, she hurried up the steps toward her room.

She paused outside of Robert’s room and pressed her ear to the door, but could hear nothing. He is probably already asleep.

Her hands shaking, she went to her own room and locked the door behind her. Then she dragged a chair over and pushed it under the knob. Once that was done, she scrubbed her mouth with the back of her hand, catching sight of herself in the gilded mirror over the fireplace. Her hair was falling down, her beautiful gown ripped at one shoulder, her face flushed, her eyes shiny with fear. She’d thought Ross a fool, not capable of violence, yet—She rubbed her lips again, trying to get rid of the memory. Robert had been right; Ross was the worst sort of man and she had been a fool to think she could handle him so easily.