A Whisper of Scandal by Beverley Kendall

Author:Beverley Kendall [Kendall, Beverley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Season Publishing LLC

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The depth of James’s sorrow was unmeasured. He tried to speak but the words refused to come, cut by the force of his helplessness. He knew he dare not touch her or he would damage things well beyond repair.

God, she looked so fragile and defeated, her beautiful eyes glittering with unshed tears, her usually creamy complexion pale.

There too was the knowledge that eventually one day she would marry—she was too passionate, too innately sensual to be forever without a man—and it wouldn’t be he who would lie beside her at night, or his children she would bear. She would belong to some faceless man who would have rights to her that he never would. The knowledge was like a vise squeezing his heart, making him crazy.

A child. The thought struck him with the force of an expert pugilist’s blow. He’d used no protection. Could fate be so cruel and visit yet another crushing blow upon him when he now had Lady Victoria and her child to consider. His mind raced. How long did it take a woman to discover if she was expecting?

“But what will you do if you are with child?” He sank his hands into his trouser pockets to keep them from reaching out to her.

For a moment, he thought he saw a look of fear flash in her eyes and then it was gone. She answered in a monotone voice, “I began my monthly courses this morning. I am not expecting.”

James didn’t know why her response affected him as it did and he could not explain the incomprehensible feeling of loss that accompanied her assurance. He must surely be losing his mind. He already had one lady claiming he was the father of her unborn child, another would be an unmitigated disaster. He should be relieved he hadn’t impregnated them both.

“Then we have been most fortunate.”

Missy gave a jerky nod.

“I shall take my leave.” He raked his fingers through his hair.

Missy averted her gaze and said nothing.

“I shall see myself out.” He stopped briefly at the threshold. He wanted to say something, anything that would put the impish spark back into her beautiful eyes, but he knew under the circumstances, there was very little he could say and even less he could do. Without a backward glance, he walked out of her life.

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