Stranger's Kiss by Mary Blayney

Author:Mary Blayney
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

19

PERHAPS WE SHOULD GIVE William a seat among The Gossips.” Elena tried to sound amused, rather than annoyed.

The duke laughed. “We both put him in his place. I think that should count as punishment enough.”

“You are more generous than I would be.”

He began driving again. “Your friendship with Lord William seems odd to me when you consider that his grandfather caused you such pain.”

“I would think it makes perfect sense since they are so rarely in accord.”

The duke nodded in reluctant agreement and Elena decided it was her turn to ask a difficult question, if only to distract him from pursuing the subject of her relationship with Bendas. “The Gossips say that there is no love lost between you and Bendas either.”

“I hate him. I have called him incompetent, dangerous, and a disgrace to his rank. To his face.”

“Oh dear, and I was afraid you did not know how to speak honestly.”

The duke laughed as she hoped he would, then asked, “Has Lord William told you nothing of the cause of this antipathy?”

“He told me that he knew you better after something that happened last year, but had promised you that he would not discuss it.”

They rode on in silence for a while. “If you will promise me discretion, I will tell you the story. I value your word, since it involves more than my own reputation.”

“Of course, and I am honored.” This offer of trust did as much to seduce her as a kiss.

“Bendas wanted Lord William to marry my sister, Lady Olivia. She is short, which had obvious merit in Bendas’s eyes, and altogether delightful. During her Seasons they seemed well suited, so I asked her how she felt about him.

“When she was obviously not interested in his courtship I sent a letter informing Bendas. He was not pleased, and arranged for her to be abducted—”

“Stop, Meryon.” She could not see his eyes, but he must be teasing her. “You are making this up.”

“I am not, though I know it sounds preposterous.”

He was so offended that she had to believe him.

“I can count on two hands the number of people who know the whole truth,” Meryon added.

“Bendas must be insane.”

“I’ve concluded the same. He aimed to ruin Olivia’s reputation so that no one but Lord William would marry her. As soon as William found out he came straight to Pennford. But by that time Olivia had been rescued and found her way back to us.”

“The poor girl.” Elena could still remember how frightened she had been when she had been sent away, even though she had a home to go to. To be taken away by force would be a hundred times worse.

“It does have a happy ending, no thanks to Bendas. She married her rescuer.”

“Mr. Garrett?” He seemed such a quiet, gentle man. How very interesting. “Before he arrived on the scene it must have been a hideous experience for her.”

“Yes, and for us who had no idea where they took her or how to find her.

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