An Invitation to Scandal by Kelly Boyce

Author:Kelly Boyce [Boyce, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780993616907
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 19098857
Publisher: Kelly Boyce
Published: 2012-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Abigail’s breath froze until she could not remember if she had been in the process of breathing in or breathing out. As their hostess indicated, the meadow and gardens were indeed lovely, but it wasn’t their beauty that swept the air from her lungs.

Lord Roxton pulled on the reins of the beast he rode and brought the animal to a stop well out of reach of Abigail and Caelie. He hesitated a moment as if he might continue on, but the brief hesitation passed and he expertly dismounted and approached them, much to her chagrin.

“Lady Caelie, Miss Laytham. I am pleased to see you have both arrived safe and sound. I trust your journey was not an arduous one.”

Only in the sense that it brought us to you, Abigail thought, but she held her tongue. She had promised to be civil, and in truth, Rebecca’s words pounded endlessly around her head until they trod a well-worn path between what she believed and the unpleasant possibility she had been wrong.

Caelie smiled at Lord Roxton. Her cousin’s reaction, her ability to forgive, astounded Abigail. She didn’t think she would ever find it in her heart to fully do so. How could she? Even if what Lady Rebecca said was true, and he had indeed been smitten with her, it did not absolve him of his actions. She gathered up her scattered anger and held it tight. He had still ruined their family, and what he had done to her at the masquerade…her mouth tightened.

No, perhaps Caelie could find within her a civility that allowed her to treat Lord Roxton as if he deserved her attention or warm regard, but Abigail could not. She would not.

Her cousin took a step forward. “Our journey was most pleasant, thank you. The weather proved excellent for traveling and the scenery in this area is always most pleasing.”

His shoulders visibly relaxed. Caelie had that effect on people.

“It is indeed. I much prefer it to London,” he said, returning her smile.

Abigail’s breath caught again. He really did have the most engaging smile. Then again, the devil was reputed to be most charming when he saw fit. She must not forget that, or allow herself to be swayed. Yes, she had promised to be civil, and she may even entertain the possibility, however slight, that he did not bear one hundred percent responsibility for her family’s current situation. But that did not mean she had to trust him in the process. He had, after all, duped her into believing he was someone else.

Granted, he had not actually stated he was someone else. But he had distinctly left out the truth of his identity, which was tantamount to a lie. For had she known she cavorted with her sworn enemy, she would never have allowed him to take such liberties, never have allowed herself to throw caution and propriety to the wind and…and…

Her face flamed.

“Miss Laytham, how nice to see you again. You are well, I trust?” Lord Roxton’s intense gaze did little to settle her tangled thoughts.

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