Read Online Lord Clayborne's Fancy by Laura Matthews - Free Book Online

did not commit. No, stay.”
    She spoke firmly as he made a move to go. “Either you make the effort to clear up this matter for me or I will return to Farthington Hall when Meg leaves. I do not care about the scandal it will cause for me, or even for you. I will not remain where I am treated as a leper.”
    It was possible, he thought, that even having been with a man she would not know how he could tell. So he told her, in a cool, emotionless voice. “When a woman is a virgin there is a thin barrier which must be penetrated for a man to enter her. The tearing of her maidenhead causes a slight amount of bleeding, and once torn it does not regenerate.”
    She stared up at him, her blue eyes enormous in their wonder and concern. “I see. Thank you for explaining. But…”
    “You had no maidenhead.”
    “But, Jason, that could not be. You must be mistaken!”
    “It was your mistake, ma’am, to think that I would not be able to tell of your previous indiscretion.” His face was set in the harsh lines with which she had become so familiar.
    The injustice of his accusation, coming as it did upon his unnerving bluntness in describing virginity, shook her resolve to remain calm. “I had never been with a man before you! You must believe me!”
    “I see no reason why I should, ma’am. Now, if you will excuse me.” He was turning to leave when he noticed one large tear roll down her cheek, to be dashed away immediately. With an effort he forced himself to repress the stirring of compassion he experienced. He handed her a handkerchief and, feeling very self-righteous, was stomping back to his room when he heard her give a watery chuckle and say, “Well, at least now I know you aren’t daft. I was worried about your fixation with the bed, you know.” He slammed the door after himself.
    * * * *
    The next day dawned hot and humid, giving Rebecca a slight headache and making her wish they were not going on the picnic. Her spirits were low after the discussion with her husband the previous evening and she felt that she had much to contemplate now, a matter which could hardly be aided by a picnic.
    Abandoning her bed reluctantly, she went in search of the cook to make arrangements for the food hamper and spent some time there, wishing the meal, at least, to be sumptuous, a sentiment with which the cook was in perfect agreement. When Clayborne was away from Gray Oaks, which recently was the majority of the time, Rebecca was in the habit of ordering far simpler meals, and the cook, with all his Gallic fervor, could indulge in an orgy of roasting, baking, grilling and such only when the master was in residence. Together they planned a menu which would have satisfied the appetites of a far larger party, but which pleased them both, and they parted in perfect charity.
    Meg was in high good humor and looked charming in a pale blue muslin dress, trimmed with tiers of broad darker blue bands around the hem. She joined Rebecca in the breakfast parlor, exclaiming, “It is a perfect day for a picnic! Shall we take an open carriage? I think you can see the countryside so much better that way and you would not mind, would you, Miss Turnpeck?”
    “Not a bit, my dear. I shall wrap myself about with plenty of warm shawls, and I shall bring along some extra ones for the two of you. I feel sure it will be the most delightful expedition,” she enthused, quite rosy with the thought of it.
    Rebecca mused that she would give a great deal to know exactly how many shawls dear Miss Turnpeck could call her own, but stifled her curiosity and chatted with her companions about the picnic, only excusing herself to discuss the matter of a carriage with Clayborne. She found him in his study, going over some papers with an abstracted air. Since she had never before sought him out for any reason during their marriage, he appeared a bit surprised when she entered to his summons.
    “I wonder if you would arrange for an open carriage for the picnic, Jason,