“How dare you!” Georgie tried to twist away, but he tightened his grip and yanked her forward. She stumbled and gasped in fury as he casually pawed her breast. The ripping sound of her lace fichu rent the night air.

“Your man isn’t here to see to you now, is he?” Josiah panted, pressing his wet lips to the side of her neck. “But I can give you what you need.”

Fury and revulsion coursed through her veins. She shoved her palms hard against his chest. “Get off me, Josiah!”

He ignored her struggles.

“Step back, or I’ll be forced to hurt you.”

His disbelieving chuckle was her only answer. Georgie cursed. So be it. Josiah’s wasn’t the first unwelcome kiss to which she’d been subjected, and Pieter had taught her exactly how to deal with such irritations. She stopped struggling, let herself sag against her cousin’s chest, and gave a moan that could be construed as encouragement. Josiah groaned against her shoulder as she swept her hand down over his hip and stroked back up, feigning a caress, even as her stomach churned.

“That’s right, you little hussy,” he breathed. “Let me show you—oof!”

Georgie lowered her knee from between his legs and stepped back as Josiah curled into a ball and collapsed sideways, clutching his groin in agony.

“I warned you,” she sighed unhappily.

Chapter 16.

Unfortunately, Josiah did not stay down for long. Georgie barely had time to grab the slim knife she kept in her boot when he lurched to his feet with a snarl.

“You little bitch!”

She lifted the blade so it caught the light. “If you’re wondering if I know how to use this,” she said levelly, “let me tell you that Father insisted on it before he allowed me to accompany him to the docks. In case I got into any trouble.”

Josiah stilled, clearly realizing she wasn’t joking. They stared at one another for a long, breathless moment, and Georgie prayed he wouldn’t try anything stupid. Stabbing one’s own cousin—however deserving he might be—was most definitely not the thing.

The metallic hiss of a blade being unsheathed made them both turn in unison, and Georgie let out a surprised exhale as Wylde stepped out from the shadows, the lethal blade of a swordstick in one hand and the ebony cane that had concealed it in the other.

He faced Josiah. “I do hope you were about to bid the lady adieu,” he said with sweet menace. “Because I don’t believe she requires your presence.”

Josiah glared at him but raised both hands to his shoulders in a gesture of surrender. “Indeed I was, sir.”