Two Hearts In Time by Eugenia Riley

Author:Eugenia Riley
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-12-28T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

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The following morning, the Earl of Lockridge paid a call on Lady Cynthia Spalding.

Cynthia, elegantly attired in a frock of green silk with a lace bodice and sleeves, received Justin in the elegant drawing room of her Belgravia mansion. He stood as she entered the room, regarding her coldly.

"Why, Justin, what a pleasant surprise," she preened with a bright smile. "Do sit down and I'll ring for tea."

"I prefer to stand," he replied in a chill tone. "And don't bother with tea. This is not a social call, and I think our business can be conducted forthwith."

"Business?" she repeated innocently. "Perhaps this subject would best be taken up with my father?"

He laughed ironically at her oblique reference to a marriage proposal. "Cynthia, I must admire your gall. How dare you insinuate I would be the least bit interested in pursuing matrimony with you, following your reprehensible conduct last night.”

She feigned shock and outrage. "My reprehensible conduct? I assure you, I have no idea what you are talking about - "

"Oh, don't bother to deny it," he cut in. "The entire town is aware that you wish to take my late wife's place as the next Countess of Lockridge."

Her face heated. "Justin, simply because I hold you in high esteem - "

"Do you? Or do you seek to elevate yourself in my eyes by ruining the prospects of the young American lady who is currently the guest of my mother and myself?"

"That American upstart is perfectly capable of ruining her own prospects," Cynthia retorted spitefully. In a more placating tone, she added, "Justin, please, let's sit down and make our peace."

"I have no intention of making peace with you, Cynthia," he stated flatly. "Actually, you have engineered your own defeat."

She paled. "What are you saying?"

"You have subjected a guest in my home to possible social disgrace through your cowardly lies. Consequently, as a gentleman of honor, I have no choice but to marry the young lady to silence the gossips."

Cynthia was aghast. "You mean you would marry that - "

He lifted a hand in warning. "Take care how you speak of the future Countess of Lockridge."

"Justin, surely you have lost your mind!" she cried, wild-eyed. "This - this young woman - will never be accepted here."

"Indeed, she will," Justin asserted, "and you are going to see to it that Amanda's place in society is secured."

Cynthia laughed incredulously. "You're mad."

"Not at all. After I leave, you are going to go calling, Cynthia. You will visit every gossip in town with whom you committed your perfidy last night. You will inform one and all that a ghastly mistake has been made - that you know for a certainty now that Lady Amanda is as pure as the driven snow, and that all of the lies were started by a vindictive servant who was dismissed from Cartwright Hall after being caught stealing the family silver."

Cynthia was shaking her head. "Now I'm certain you belong in Bedlam. Why would I do this, Justin?"

He smiled bitterly and called over his shoulder.

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