Read Scandalous Intentions Online
Authors: Amanda Mariel
Scandalous Intentions (21 page)
At least the risk of compromising her no longer existed. It was perfectly fine for a widow to be unchaperoned. Regardless, he was too much of a gentleman to leave her alone in such a state. He would see her sober or at the very least safe in her chambers before abandoning her.
She lifted her head, her green eyes large and sad. “I am not the heartless harlot they make me out to be.”
His stomach fluttered. He held his silk handkerchief out to her. He did not trust himself to speak.
She shook her head, refusing his peace offering. “I know what the ton says about me, but they have it all wrong.”
Somehow he doubted they did. Lady Sarah would never make up a tale to injure another lady’s reputation. She had told him all about Lady Claudia after she traipsed into Lord Luvington’s townhouse. He would see her sobered then be done with her.
“You believe me, Lord Shillington?”
The pain in her gaze compelled him to reach out and pat her gloved hand. “Tell me why you were getting foxed in the middle of the day? Do you continue to grieve for your late husband?”
She shook her head. A hiccup escaped. “Some men are monsters. Lord Akford was such a man.” Her gaze penetrated him. “Do people not celebrate when monsters are slain?”
Henry swallowed past the lump in his throat. “You are celebrating?” Her words concerned him and confused him at the same time. Perhaps the lady was mad.
She laughed. “No, but nor do I grieve his loss. On the contrary, I was pleased to see him gone. I never fancied Lord Akford. He tricked me into marriage, then mistreated me for years. May his soul burn in Hell for eternity.”
“I...” Henry had never heard a lady use such strong language. Words escaped him.
“You need not say anything. Just hear me out.”
Gads, her alabaster cheeks were far too pale. He nodded then steeled himself for her story.
“Lord Akford knew I intended to marry Lord Luvington and ruined me on purpose. He set us up, then went to my father and arranged for his marriage to me. I had no choice other than to accept. Father threatened to disown me if I refused, and all of London already saw me as a fallen lady.” She wrapped her arms across her midsection. “I will not share the details, they are too painful, but Lord Akford was a brute. There was no love lost between us.”
Henry rubbed the back of one hand across her warm cheek then removed it when she flinched. “You need not go on. I have heard enough.” Did she speak the truth? Henry could not fathom the idea of a man abusing any women. He was not ignorant of the world around him but chose to see the good in people. If Lady Claudia told the truth, and the way she flinched when he touched her lent credence to her tale, she had been through Hell. He owed it to her to help. But what could he do?
She stood, turning away from him. “I require another flute of champagne.”
“That is the last thing you need. Let us speak of something more pleasant instead.”
“Very well.” She plumped back down. “Shall I tell you how memories of Lord Luvington kept me sane during my years under Lord Akford’s hand? Or would you like to hear how Lord Luvington cast me aside when I came back to him?”
As soon as she said this, a look of mortification crossed her features. She must have realized she had said too much. Henry closed his eyes and exhaled. She would not be the first person he had met whose pain drove her into a bottle, or who said things when inebriated she would never say under normal circumstances. Her awareness of her mistake somehow softened him.
“Lord Luvington married Lady Sarah. They are in love and expecting a babe. He could not very well toss her aside.”
Lady Claudia glared at him. “But he should have tossed me aside?”
“Did you listen to my words? He married another before you returned.”
“Yes, I am not bird-witted. I have come to accept his choice, but it does nothing to ease my heartache.” She leaned in, stopping inches from his face. “Perchance you could ease my pain.”
“I am afraid I do not follow.”
She brought her lips to his. A jolt of warmth coursed through him as she scooted closer and rested her hand on his thigh. When she ran her tongue across his lower lip, he jerked away. “I am a gentleman, Lady Claudia. Not a toy, and surely not a rake.” Making mistakes when one was hurting was one thing, but this… He turned and strolled away, his cheeks burning, heart hammering.
What had he been thinking to allow himself to spend even a moment in her company? He should have left at the mention of her name. She would bring nothing but trouble for him. He would not allow her to ruin him. Nor would he allow her to use him for her scheme--no matter how much she tempted him. No matter what her lips tasted like.
He entered the smoking room and retrieved a glass of port. How would he avoid her?
ABOUT AMANDA MARIEL
Bestselling author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.
Amanda lives along the Lake Huron shoreline in northern Michigan with her husband and two kids. She holds a Master of Liberal Arts Degree with a concentration in literature and has a long-standing love affair with sugary junk food.
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