The Christmas Gift by Georgina Devon

Author:Georgina Devon
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

At dinner, Lavinia had composed herself sufficiently to watch with equanimity as Mary served them the simple, one course meal and then withdrew to the kitchen where she would eat her own with Mrs. Hatchet and Jaimie. However, the maid was not long removed before Lavinia began to feel uneasy in the silence.

"For being so overbearing and insisting that we sup together, Davenport, the least you could do is engage me in conversation."

"Is it?" He cut a bite out of the succulent roast beef that was mounded on his plate and ate it with obvious enjoyment. "And I suppose that you also expect me to play the gallant."

"It would not go amiss."

"Very well, Vixen. As a gallant protector, I've provided your brother and sister with Christmas gifts. I was sure that you would wish it so."

His wording made it sound as though she expected him to do these things for her. Like... like a kept woman. Bile rose in her throat and she wanted to leave the table, but knew that if she ran from him and his hurtful words now, she would be running from him as long as their relationship lasted.

"That was very considerate of you, milord. May I ask what you gave them?"

His black eyes watched her like a hawk studying its prey. Almost, she felt as though he tested her. A silly idea and she shrugged away.

He took another bite of the meat and chewed slowly. "I sent your sister a single strand of pearls, as befits a young lady. For your brother, I chose a prime-blooded stallion."

She had been wrong in London when she'd told herself she was the only person who could make her feel like a slut. "Those are too expensive. I cannot allow them to accept."

Davenport picked up his wineglass and swirled it so that the dark ruby liquid caught the candlelight and sparkled like blood. "They have already been delivered."

Humiliation squeezed her chest like a vise. "Emily and John will wonder where I got the means to purchase such extravagant items."

He took a sip of wine before replying. "And they will not wonder where the money comes from to keep them in school?"

Anger began to color her cheeks and to give her the strength to withstand his continued belittlement. "I told them there was just enough money left from the estate to pay their last tuition."

"Ah," he said, drawing the word out, his full lips thin, white lines. "You were very sure of your marketability."

He had done everything but call her a whore. She raised her chin. "I did what I had to. And not you or anyone else will make me feel cheap for doing so."

Fueled by pain and fury, she pushed up from the table and stormed from the room. Only later, huddled under the warmth of a thick down comforter, did she allow the tears to fall.

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