Read Online A Lady's Favor by Josi S. Kilpack - Free Book Online

change that you are forcing me upon a man I do not want.”
    Mama looked slightly frantic and somewhat confused.
    Bianca took full advantage of what seemed to be the early signs of her mother’s capitulation and pushed forward.
    “I do not want him and I will not have him, Mama. Moreover, I believe Lord Strapshire does not truly want me , but only a pretty girl who would look good on his arm. If it means running away, as I threatened to do when you would not listen to me the last time, I will do it. I tried to put Lord Strapshire off politely, and it did not work. I even tried to put him off impolitely, and it did not work. I asked you to help me, and you refused. I had no other choice.”
    “With a kiss in the middle of the dance floor?”
    Bianca knew, too late, that she had said too much, and she felt her own face pale as Mama’s eyes narrowed. Bianca wiped at her increasing tears in frustration. She did not want to lose control, and yet hadn’t she already? Everything had gone so wrong.
    “What has Mr. Hensley to do with this?” Mama continued. “Is there some kind of arrangement between you?”
    Bianca did not know what to say. It was a closer guess than she could ever have imagined and she had no ready answer.
    “What have you offered him in return for his attentions? How far have you demeaned yourself?”
    Bianca still did not speak, overwhelmed and horrified at this turn in the conversation.
    Mama continued to glare at her. When she began advancing again, Bianca stepped fully behind the desk. Would Mama strike out again? Should Bianca defend herself? How had this happened?
    Mama stopped across the desk, staring hard.
    “I’m sorry,” Bianca squeaked. “I am so sorry.”
    “What is your arrangement with Mr. Hensley?”
    Bianca scrambled for as much truth as she dared to say. “Only that he would help me throw off Lord Strapshire’s attention.” As she spoke, she felt her stomach fall to her toes. She was betraying Mathew with this confession, and yet it had all been her idea. What would come of it? What else could she do?
    “Why?”
    “Because I do not want him,” Bianca said again. She dared to meet her mother’s eyes. “I do not want to marry Lord Strapshire.”
    “I mean, why is Mr. Hensley helping you?”
    The creak of a door hinge behind her proved to be Bianca’s salvation and came not a moment too soon.
    “Might I be of assistance, madam?” a footman asked, though his expression did not reflect the calmness of his words.
    The entire ballroom must be in chaos right now, and the embarrassment of having been the cause for such a thing burned hot. All of her life Bianca had been known as a girl with good manners and grace. She was not the type to be central to scandal.
    Mama turned toward the door, flustered by the interruption. “Yes. You can have the Davidson carriage readied at once.”
    “Very good, madam.” He ducked out of the room as quickly as he had entered.
    Mama turned back to her. “Why is Mr. Hensley helping you throw off Lord Strapshire?”
    Bianca said nothing. She could not tell Mama about the Incident and the lingering debt it had created. She had not saved Mathew from abject humiliation only to use it for her own defense when the time was right. Even if her mother struck her again she would not tell. She had already said too much.
    “Has Mr. Hensley made you an offer?” Mama leaned forward and placed her hands flat upon the desktop. Her tone had a note of hope in it. As though Mathew could be the key to saving the disgrace he himself had caused. Bianca could fairly hear her mother’s scheming thoughts—if the display on the dance floor could be explained as a passionate act of an intended husband . . . 
    Bianca took a staggered breath. “No,” she said. “And he will not. He agreed to help me throw off Lord Strapshire, but that is all. Once that is accomplished, his attention will end.”
    Mama gave a low groan and began pacing again. “What a disgraceful