Read Online All's Fair in Love and Seduction by Beverley Kendall - Free Book Online

very fond of Miss Foxworth,” he agreed. “And I am fond of Lady Gertrude and Miss Roswell, both whom I also partner to dance when they are in attendance.”
    “I didn’t mean to imply—” 
    “Miss Smith, I’m sure you’ve been beautiful all your life. However, most women are not graced with your extraordinary looks and therefore, are often ignored. I am fortunate to be in a position to aid where I can and more often than not, when I dance with my friends, other men will follow. Every woman should enjoy a full dance card at a ball, wouldn’t you agree?” 
    Elizabeth nodded mutely for no words could adequately express what she was feeling at that precise moment. 
    For the past several weeks, she had been teetering on the precipice of love, but what she’d just heard from the viscount succeeded in nudging her over.
     
    ~*~*~
     
    Derek had paid quite a hefty sum for the information he now had in his possession: dates, names, places. He could put a halt to this thing with Miss Smith today if he so desired. The marriage she’d schemed to get would never come to pass. That very fact should have pleased him. 
    To his shame, it did not. 
    And he blamed her for that. If she hadn’t tried to tread in very same shoes that her sister had worn six years ago, she may have been the one he could see spending the rest of his days with. The woman he could see bearing his children. The woman he could have loved. But she would never be any of those things for she was who she was. 
    One would think her misdeeds would stop him from wanting her. Again, to his shame, it did not. And that angered him more than her deceit—this hold she had on him. Well today he was determined to break that hold once and for all. 
    Like the prior day, Miss Smith had invited Charlotte Rutherford and one of her ardent suitors, Baron Lawrence Stanfield, to accompany them on their daily outing. Today they were visiting the British Museum. The four stood just inside the entrance of the building. 
    “Where shall we go first?” Miss Smith spoke to no one in particular as she surveyed the museum, her eyes round with wonder. 
    “Why don’t we start with the King’s Library?” Miss Rutherford suggested when it became apparent neither he nor Lord Stanfield would offer up any themselves. 
    Miss Smith looked at him and then at the baron. “If my lords are in agreement?”
    Derek jerked his head in a nod. But after the museum, they had a house to see with neither Miss Rutherford nor Stanfield in tow. But that was something Miss Elizabeth Smith didn’t know. At least not yet.    
    Just as they began their walk toward the first wing of the building, Cartwright—he recognized his friend’s voice instantly—called out from behind. 
    Miss Rutherford froze, inhaled a sharp breath as color leeched from her face. She collected herself a heartbeat later, her shoulders pushed slightly back, her chin raised the barest fraction of an inch. 
    His friend wasted no time in making his way to them. They exchanged silent nods upon his approach. To the women he offered a deep bow with the overly polite greeting of, “Miss Smith, Miss Rutherford.” The nod he directed at Stanfield was cold, a tenuous hold on civility. 
    “Miss Rutherford, Lady Windmere has received word that Lady Armstrong is about to deliver.  We will be leaving for Devon within the hour. ”
    Miss Rutherford eyes rounded in a mixture of concern and excitement. “So soon? Oh, but yes of course.”
    “I will escort you home.”
    At this, Miss Rutherford sent the baron a concerned look, who appeared impervious to the exchange and the resulting effect. As if Cartwright didn’t pose a threat to Miss Rutherford’s affection. The notion was laughable. 
    “Lord Stanfield?” Miss Rutherford prompted. 
    “Oh, yes. Cartwright, I will escort Miss Rutherford home.”
    “My carriage is close by and I’m on my way there,” Cartwright replied tersely.  
    “I will instruct my driver to take