in4 by Forbidden

Author:Forbidden
Language: eng
Format: epub

“She should. I wrote as soon as the knot was tied.”

Uffham’s eyes widened. “Good God, Middlethorpe, why? Poor Anne will be brokenhearted, and I thought… I thought you cared.”

“I did care, but perhaps not enough. Serena is increasing.”

Uffham reddened. “I see. Anne had a fortunate escape, in my opinion.”

“Probably true.”

Uffham left the room without another word. Francis took a deep breath. That had not been pleasant, but at least he’d managed to forestall a duel. That would be the final bloody straw.

A rap on the door brought him out of his blue-devils. He couldn’t imagine why anyone would intrude here—unless Uffham had thought better of it and was sending his seconds.

He strode over and swung the door open sharply.

Lucien de Vaux raised his brows. “Uffham said you were alone in here.”

Francis laughed briefly with relief. “As long as you’re not his second, come in.”

As soon as the door was shut again, Lucien said, “Second? Why the devil would he want to call you out?”

“Because I’ve as good as jilted his sister.”

“Ah. But that sort of affair would hardly help.”

“I think I persuaded him of that. It was just that he hadn’t heard, so it came as a bit of a shock.”

“It came as a bit of a shock to me, too. I sensed that there was something between you and Serena Riverton, but… I didn’t think you’d marry where you couldn’t get an heir.”

“She’s pregnant,” said Francis. “ ‘Struth. Perhaps I should put it in the papers! Lord Middlethorpe wishes to announce that he has married Serena, formerly Lady Riverton, because she is three damn months pregnant with his child.”

Lucien rang a bell. When a discreet servant answered it, he ordered brandy. When it came, he poured two glasses, giving one to Francis. “Is that the only reason you married her?”

Francis knocked back a fair amount of the spirit. “I was as good as promised to Anne Peckworth. I don

’t suppose I’d have backed off without this gun to my head.”

“But do you regret it? If you hadn’t been courting Lady Anne, would you have minded the gun?”

“You’re beginning to sound like Nicholas,” Francis said bitingly. “But you’re not nearly as good at it, so don’t bother.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.