Read Online Lisa Bingham by The Other Groom - Free Book Online Page A

Pritchard,” she murmured, taking the embossed square, ignoring the way Bitsy stretched out to sniff it suspiciously.
    “Good day to you, then, Madam.”
    “And to you, Mr. Pritchard.”
    Mr. Pritchard had scarcely taken three steps before John was there to hand the man his hat. With a narrowed glance of disapproval, Mr. Pritchard snatched the bowler as if he feared John meant to crush it. His scowl deepened when John opened the door wide.
    As soon as John had twisted the key in the lock, Louisa offered him what she hoped was an imperious stare.
    “You should have been more polite to Mr. Pritchard.”
    “Politeness has never been one of my strong points.”
    “Of that I have no doubt.”
    Scooping Bitsy into her arms, Louisa moved toward the window, staring sightlessly through the panes, her fingers unconsciously stroking the dog’s silky fur. Try as she might, she couldn’t seem to grasp what had just happened. She had been told that she would be wealthy beyond her wildest imaginings. Never again would she need to fear being left destitute. Never again would she be forced to go into service. She was a free woman.
    No. Not free.
    The money would not come without strings. If she decided to accept it, she must also accept the responsibilities that came with it. She would become the mother of a child she hadn’t even known existed. She would need to learn quickly how best to safeguard the Winslow estate and add to it. And these obligations would not end when Evie turned twenty. If there was anything that Louisa had learned in her own experience as an orphan, it was that parenthood was meant to last a lifetime. A child should never be abandoned.
    “Are you thinking of the many ways you can spend your money?”
    She stiffened, casting a dark look over her shoulder. “Is that what you think of me?”
    He shrugged, leaning against the doorjamb. “I don’t know what to think of you. Your husband was very vague in his description of his bride.”
    Little did John know that Charles had been vague due to simple ignorance.
    “Our courtship was a very private one.”
    “It must have been if you weren’t even aware that he had a child.”
    Louisa froze. How had she given herself away?
    John straightened. “You needn’t worry. I doubt that Pritchard noticed the way your skin lost its color. And even if he did, he’s of the impression that you’re a helpless soul prone to bouts of fainting.”
    “If he has that impression, it’s because you intimated as much.”
    “What would you have me telling your lawyer? That less than an hour after discovering you were a widow, you were in the arms of another man?”
    The heat rushed into her cheeks. “A momentary lapse of judgment, I can assure you. You may attribute my actions to the overwhelming toll of mourning.”
    John grinned. “Come now, Louisa. You don’t have to play the grieving widow with me.”
    She stiffened, exclaiming, “I beg your pardon!”
    He continued as if he hadn’t heard her. “Both of us know that you’ve never even met the man.”
    Had Charles been this forthright with a hired man? Or was John merely guessing?
    Louisa stiffened even more, her spine becoming ramrod straight, her chin lifting ever so slightly. “Mr. Smith, you appear to think that your position as my bodyguard allows you to take certain personal liberties.”
    His brows rose, reminding her that the two of them had been about as “personal” as two people could be. Nevertheless, she plunged on, ignoring his reaction, knowing that if she didn’t speak now, she would rue the day.
    As she moved toward him, Louisa realized there was nothing more liberating than money. She felt suddenly confident and in charge of her own destiny. And she knew instinctively that the time had come to dismiss Mr. John Smith.
    “Mr. Smith, I realize that you and my husband had an agreement of service. However, I’m sure that you can also appreciate the fact that any contracts made between you are null and