Intimate Betrayal by Adrienne Basso

Author:Adrienne Basso [Basso, Adrienne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2012-11-15T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Alyssa felt her mouth go dry as she tried to speak.

“For God’s sake, Morgan,” she pleaded. “Hurry up.”

“They have already seen us, Alyssa. Our only chance is to brazen it out.”

“Oh, lord.” Alyssa swallowed convulsively, trying to dislodge the lump that had settled firmly in her throat.

“Who are they?” Morgan inquired casually.

His calm attitude served only to heighten Alyssa’s anxiety, and her hands twisted the material of her cloak.

“The older woman is Lady Roberts; the younger girl is her daughter Cecille. I met them several years ago at a market fair. Lady Roberts is easily the biggest gossip in the county.”

“I thought that honor belonged to Mrs. Stratton.”

Alyssa groaned. “This is not funny, Morgan. You know I cannot meet them. Please, we must leave,” Alyssa whispered frantically.

Morgan patted her hand reassuringly and remained rooted to the spot. Within seconds the two women had reached them.

Alyssa gasped out loud as Lady Roberts and Cecille stood a scant six feet away from her and Morgan. With her free hand, Alyssa clutched the front of her large cloak, trying to conceal her body. Morgan tightened his grip on her arm.

Maybe we can remain unnoticed, Alyssa prayed, hoping for a tiny miracle. Turning her head she focused her complete attention on the large display of silk and satin fabrics in the window of the mercantile shop, pointedly ignoring the women. Just when Alyssa was almost convinced her ploy had succeeded, Morgan spoke.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” he began conversationally. He elegantly removed his hat and bowed slightly to the two women. “I don’t believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. Would you do the honors, my dear?”

Alyssa wanted to kill him. She stared at his handsome profile, stunned by his audacity. There was an ominous silence and Alyssa’s face went white.

“Lady Roberts, Cecille, may I present His Grace, the Duke of Gillingham,” Alyssa said icily.

Lady Roberts’s face was a mask of uncertainty. Alyssa could tell by her startled expression that Lady Roberts was very much aware of Alyssa’s condition, and would have preferred to ignore them. Yet she could not openly snub the introduction of a duke.

In the end, Lady Roberts opted to pretend everything was as it should be, and hesitated only a moment before acknowledging the introduction. Cecille, blissfully unaware of the volatile situation, made a pretty curtsy and stared at the duke with a flirtatious eye. She was obviously impressed with his handsome person as well as his lofty title. Cecille gave a small giggle at the duke’s comment, fluttering her pale eyelashes at him. Alyssa felt nauseous.

The three others exchanged a few minutes of stilted conversation while Alyssa waited stoically by Morgan’s side, barely breathing, never blinking, and staring blankly ahead.

After what seemed like an eternity to Alyssa, the conversation ended. Lady Roberts and her daughter made their good-byes; Lady Roberts pointedly excluded Alyssa. Not until the pair reached the end of the block did Morgan finally release Alyssa’s arm.

Alyssa stared at him for some time, her emotions in turmoil.

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