De Warenne 09 - A Lady at Last by Brenda Joyce

Author:Brenda Joyce
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-06-04T22:49:11+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

HE HAD NOT RECOVERED his composure by the time he reached Harmon House. Cliff stormed inside, aware that he was late for supper. But the house was oddly quiet, and he realized the ladies were not in. They must have had supper plans.

Rex limped out of the library, clad in evening clothes. “I thought we were in a hurricane, from the sound of the front door slamming. What is wrong?”

Cliff glanced up the winding staircase, wincing. How was he going to tell Amanda the truth? She was going to be crushed and he did not want her to suffer over her despicable mother. He turned and went into the library. “I just spoke with Lady Belford. She is far more than a whore. She is a bitch.”

Rex’s eyes went wide. He closed the door behind them. “I have never heard you speak of a woman in such a manner!”

Cliff faced him. “She is the most selfish person I have ever met. She doesn’t care at all that her daughter is here—she is far more interested in her own comfort and care and that of her legitimate children. And that was said while she was trying to seduce me to her bed.”

After a pause, Rex said, “Are you certain you did not misconstrue her actions and words? I imagine she was shocked by the news you brought.”

Cliff laughed. “Trust me, I did not misconstrue anything. It doesn’t matter. After spending a half an hour with her, I would not send Amanda to her, not under any circumstance. Amanda is better off without her mother. The woman is heartless.”

Rex was gaping. “Cliff, you can’t mean what you have just said.”

“Oh, I mean every word.” He stomped to the sideboard and poured a double shot of whiskey. Downing it, he downed another one.

“Slow down!” Rex exclaimed. “I see you are very upset, and all this over the fate of a woman you barely know.”

That annoyed him even more. “I know Amanda better than I know anyone.” He poured another drink, but cradled this one in his hands.

“Really? You have known her for exactly six weeks,” Rex said, staring closely.

“I have known her for most of her life,” he returned, thinking about all the times he had seen her roaming the island and swimming in the sea. “And we are mates. She has shared the middle watch with me every night. She rode the storm with me. A voyage changes men, Rex. Bonds are forged that can last a lifetime.”

“Apparently it has changed you,” he murmured.

“You wouldn’t understand…I am her protector, but it is more than that.” He walked over to the window and stared outside at the night. It continued to rain.

Rex came to stand beside him. “You are going to tell her that her mother is at Belford House? You are going to tell her the truth?”

He slowly turned, feeling dread. “How can I? How can I not?”

“You do not want to hurt her with the sordid truth, yet you do not want to lie,” Rex remarked.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.