Read Online Barbara Metzger by The Wicked Ways of a True Hero (prc) - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: The Wicked Ways of a True Hero (prc)
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not in the law or politics, either. Harry had to stage his own death to avoid assassination. Another man did get killed in his stead, did you know that? Do you think Harry will ever forget or forgive himself? That other poor soul was a hero, saving Harrys life. And hes dead.
Corie stared at her bare toes, peeking out from her hem. I did not know.
And you do not know why I choose to enjoy myself instead of dying for some cause that will not make a difference to anyone.
Some things are worth dying for. Freedom, your loved ones. Pride.
No, pride is not worth dying for. Do you know how many gentlemen have died over a slight to their honor? I say a good bout of fisticuffs ought to settle anything.
That is easy for you to say, since youd always have the advantage. Where is the pride in that? Corie glanced again at the decanter. Now she understood where Dutch courage came from. She would never have spoken to such a large, intimidating, angry gentleman with such vehemence, such vitriol, on her own. Somehow she was no longer afraid of speaking her mind to this man, despite his size and reputation. Filled with spirits or not, she was certain he would not hurt her, not with his mother in calling distance. So she decided to continue, to relieve her own pent-up hostility.
Just what do you consider worth living for? Your own pleasure? Losing yourself in drink so you do not have to think of your empty existence? Her lip curled in a sneer. I refuse to be insulted by an immoral care-for-naught. You, sir, are nothing but a wastrel.
That was true, too. Daniel did not want to hear the words, so he fought back. And you are still a fallen woman.
She glared at him, gold sparks flashing in her green eyes. No, I am not.
Daniel paused to wait for the rash. It never came. Did that mean she was untouched, or simply untouched by scandal? Truth was a strange thing. He thought about asking, but the hellcat was still on a rant.
You and your stupid assumptions, using the stupid labels of a stupid society. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She poked him in the chest with each imprecation. Then she recalled she needed this mans cooperation. London does not know about me and Snelling. He is dead, Sir Neville is a bedlamite, my father has too much pride, and your mother loves me too much. No one else knows what happened that night. Will you tell them?
Gads, you really think I am some kind of cad, dont you? Hed thought about blackmailing her with the threat, so shed leave, but her question still hurt. That would reflect poorly on my mother.
And your sister, she added, for good measure.
He shrugged. And my aunt and uncle, for having you in their house.
And Dobbson, who wants so badly to be butler to the cream of society.
We mustnt forget the servants.
She could almost smile now.
Daniel did smile back, stepped past her, trying not to notice when she cringed at his closeness, and raised the decanter. He poured more spirits into his own glass, then a drop or two into her teacup. I propose a treaty. We shall both agree to try to scrape through these next weeks with dignity and grace. He handed her the cup, then raised his glass in a toast.
Corie took the cup, but hesitated. And we can forget the past?
Both of our pasts.
They clicked their drinks together and he said, To the future. Except hed still wonder about Snelling and what happened at that inn.
Did you love him?
I wanted to. He was handsome in a scarlet uniform, and made me feel beautiful. I thought he was noble to rescue me, brave to take on my fathers wrath. He proved as faithless as every other man, as cruel as my father, as paltry as you.
So the treaty was an end to hostility, Daniel understood, not a friendship. He felt a twinge of regret, but he wasnt one to dwell on what he couldnt change. He was tempted to seal the pact with a kiss,
Corie stared at her bare toes, peeking out from her hem. I did not know.
And you do not know why I choose to enjoy myself instead of dying for some cause that will not make a difference to anyone.
Some things are worth dying for. Freedom, your loved ones. Pride.
No, pride is not worth dying for. Do you know how many gentlemen have died over a slight to their honor? I say a good bout of fisticuffs ought to settle anything.
That is easy for you to say, since youd always have the advantage. Where is the pride in that? Corie glanced again at the decanter. Now she understood where Dutch courage came from. She would never have spoken to such a large, intimidating, angry gentleman with such vehemence, such vitriol, on her own. Somehow she was no longer afraid of speaking her mind to this man, despite his size and reputation. Filled with spirits or not, she was certain he would not hurt her, not with his mother in calling distance. So she decided to continue, to relieve her own pent-up hostility.
Just what do you consider worth living for? Your own pleasure? Losing yourself in drink so you do not have to think of your empty existence? Her lip curled in a sneer. I refuse to be insulted by an immoral care-for-naught. You, sir, are nothing but a wastrel.
That was true, too. Daniel did not want to hear the words, so he fought back. And you are still a fallen woman.
She glared at him, gold sparks flashing in her green eyes. No, I am not.
Daniel paused to wait for the rash. It never came. Did that mean she was untouched, or simply untouched by scandal? Truth was a strange thing. He thought about asking, but the hellcat was still on a rant.
You and your stupid assumptions, using the stupid labels of a stupid society. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She poked him in the chest with each imprecation. Then she recalled she needed this mans cooperation. London does not know about me and Snelling. He is dead, Sir Neville is a bedlamite, my father has too much pride, and your mother loves me too much. No one else knows what happened that night. Will you tell them?
Gads, you really think I am some kind of cad, dont you? Hed thought about blackmailing her with the threat, so shed leave, but her question still hurt. That would reflect poorly on my mother.
And your sister, she added, for good measure.
He shrugged. And my aunt and uncle, for having you in their house.
And Dobbson, who wants so badly to be butler to the cream of society.
We mustnt forget the servants.
She could almost smile now.
Daniel did smile back, stepped past her, trying not to notice when she cringed at his closeness, and raised the decanter. He poured more spirits into his own glass, then a drop or two into her teacup. I propose a treaty. We shall both agree to try to scrape through these next weeks with dignity and grace. He handed her the cup, then raised his glass in a toast.
Corie took the cup, but hesitated. And we can forget the past?
Both of our pasts.
They clicked their drinks together and he said, To the future. Except hed still wonder about Snelling and what happened at that inn.
Did you love him?
I wanted to. He was handsome in a scarlet uniform, and made me feel beautiful. I thought he was noble to rescue me, brave to take on my fathers wrath. He proved as faithless as every other man, as cruel as my father, as paltry as you.
So the treaty was an end to hostility, Daniel understood, not a friendship. He felt a twinge of regret, but he wasnt one to dwell on what he couldnt change. He was tempted to seal the pact with a kiss,
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