The Panther & the Pyramid (Khamsin Warriors of the Wind) by Bonnie Vanak

the solution. He would do it and damn the consequences.
    Jillian sucked in a breath, imagining herself proudly addressing her father, exploding with the spirit he had ruthlessly squashed. Telling him no.
    Caught up in the fantasy, she darted a glance at the man. Hard triumph shone in his gaze. Her shoulders sagged. She could not do it. Oh, she was too weak to stand up to him!
    Movement in the crowd caught her eye. That tall figure in elegant black silk, striding with commanding force. The Duke of Caldwell wended his way forward, the crush parting deferentially. He halted short of the dais, his obsidian gaze sweeping them. Lord Huntley greeted him in a booming, respectful voice, and to her amazement, the duke mounted the steps and stood before the crowd, legs spread, shoulders thrown back in a proud stance.
    And in a loud, authoritative voice that rang across the ballroom, he uttered words that froze her blood.
    "If you truly mean what you say, Lord Stranton, then why is your daughter no longer a virgin?"
    Breath caught in her throat. Oh dear God...
    Bernard's jaw dropped. Her father looked comically shocked.
    "How dare you insult her!" Bernard sputtered.
    Graham's even gaze met hers. "Insult? I know, sir, because last night Lady Jillian and I became lovers."
    Jillian stared in astonished shock. Oh God, what was he doing? Admitting such, and just after her father triumphantly announced his campaign against London's demimonde?
    "Your Grace, my daughter is virtuous. I myself have safeguarded her maidenhead. Just where did this act take place?" her father asked.
    The duke smiled.
    Silently, Jillian begged him with her eyes . Please, please stop. Don't tell them. No, don't tell them where you took my virginity . If he did, she'd die of shame.
    Graham saw her distraught expression. "That, sir, is a private matter between myself and the lady."
    Jillian nearly collapsed with relief. But she felt her father's wrathful eyes burning into her like two hot coals.
    "Jillian, what is the meaning of this?" he asked in a clipped voice.
    Her lips moved in soundless protest. A humiliated flush crept up her burning throat to her cheeks. Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Graham's dark gaze transfixed her.
    Bernard turned with a whine. "Jillian, why is he saying such things? Tell him to stop."
    But she could not.
    Graham gave Jillian's betrothed a gentle, almost pitying look. "In good conscience I could not allow you to marry her under false pretenses, Mr. Augustine. The fault lies solely with myself."
    Then, with a note of husky admiration in his lowered voice: "I could not resist Lady Jillian's beauty, and I seduced her."
    It was an apology without actually apologizing, she realized. And she was grateful.
    "Jillian, tell me he's fibbing," Bernard pleaded.
    Lips that had lied before moved to agree, Yes, he is falsely accusing me . She opened her mouth to deny the duke's words. Jillian's lips moved to whisper, "He's... not."
    A dull flush lit her fiancé's face. Bernard shot her father a look of mortified disgust. "Under the circumstances, Lord Stranton, I cannot marry your daughter."
    "No, Mr. Augustine, you will not," Graham stated. "Because I am formally declaring for her hand."
    Jillian stared at him in astonished shock.
    Lord Huntley rubbed his mustache, looking flummoxed. "I'm quite confused. Er, which engagement am I to announce?"
    "Mine," the duke said gently. "But first a few details should be worked out before any congratulations are offered."
    Jillian's father's mouth worked violently. For the first time in her life, Jillian saw him at a loss for words. The duke had commandeered all the space in the room. His powerful, imposing presence made all other men look diminished. His shocking confession and daring declaration of intent had made every marriage-shy bachelor look weak-spined.
    Suddenly Jillian became aware of the flock of young, eligible women staring with barely disguised interest at Graham. With his confession, he had increased