Regency Scandals: Touch Me, Tempt Me & Take Me Box Set by Lucy Monroe

Author:Lucy Monroe [Lucy Monroe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-12-01T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Papa’s words hung in the air like expended bullets. Harsh and deafening.

She supposed in his own bitter way, Papa was justified in his allegation. After all, she had blackmailed him once in the past, but could he not see the difference between then and now? Lucas was not some musty, aged duke whose very touch left her feeling nauseous.

And she was no longer a green girl barely out of the schoolroom. She would never revert to such tactics to end an unwanted engagement now. She didn’t need to. Thanks to her sister’s sage advice on investments, Irisa had resources of her own. “I did not write the note.”

Lucas hugged her. A warm embrace full of comfort. Right there in front of everyone and she didn’t care. “We know that, little one.”

He trusted her. He believed her. She loved him and it took every ounce of self-possession she had not to blurt the words out right then and there.

“Langley is an idiot and I’m sorry you had to live so many years in his company.”

Drake chuckled at Lucas’s words and Thea coughed. Jared grunted a sound of approval, but Mama looked scandalized and Aunt Harriet appeared sad and terribly fragile.

Lucas turned his attention back to Papa. “I assume you do not wish to cooperate in gathering the information necessary to identify the blackmailer.”

Papa’s mouth tightened. “I will not waste my time pursuing a phantom.”

Lucas nodded. “Then it would be better for all concerned if you and Lady Langley left.”

Mama gasped loudly. “We aren’t going anywhere.” The warm feeling Irisa experienced at her mother’s show of concern turned frigid with Mama’s next words. “I am not leaving this house until I have your promise that the wedding will be postponed or cancelled. Irisa has brought enough shame to our family’s name. I will not allow her to bring more.”

Lucas said something about parents eating their young, but Irisa did not understand it. Releasing her, he moved to where Mama was sitting.

He casually lifted her right out of her chair and she shrieked. “It really is time you left, Lady Langley. We will see you at the wedding. If you are not there, I will assume it is because you want to sever your connection with my title and position.”

Mama’s mouth opened and shut, but no sound came out. Lucas maneuvered her toward the door.

Papa followed, his expression like a thundercloud, but he stopped in front of Irisa on his way out. “If you have a shred of decency in you, you will protect your family’s name.”

Then he stormed forward and took Mama’s arm, leading her from the room.

Irisa’s knees wanted to buckle, but she remained standing by an effort of will. Lucas returned, took one look at her face and led her to a chair.

Once she was seated, he turned and met the gaze of each person remaining in the room. “Does anyone else believe Irisa and I should postpone our wedding?”

Aunt Harriet’s sigh caught everyone’s attention. “Secrets have a way of outing themselves.

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