Read Online Simply Voracious by Kate Pearce - Free Book Online Page A

and pushed past him. “But it seems so unfair.”
    Paul sat in her vacated chair. “In what way?”
    She presented him with her back. “If I marry you, I gain everything I’ve ever wanted.”
    “And what’s wrong with that?” There was a hint of loving amusement in his voice that made her want to cry.
    “I don’t deserve it. I’ve ruined myself.”
    She flinched as he came up behind her and grasped her shoulders. “You have not ruined yourself. You were taken advantage of.”
    “And now I can’t bear it when a man touches me. What kind of wife would I be to you?”
    He gave an odd laugh and spun her around to look at him. “The kind I want? Listen, if you agree to this betrothal, it will keep your seducer at bay for a few more days while we discuss how we mean to go on, and whether we both truly wish to go through with the marriage.”
    She shivered. “Or it will draw him out in the open and he’ll ruin me anyway.”
    “I almost hope he tries it.” The cool determination in Paul’s voice made Lucky stare at him anew. “I could finish him off for good, and then you wouldn’t have to marry me after all.” His cold smile died. “We’ve always been the best of friends, and I want us to continue to be honest with each other. Will you at least try and see if we will suit?”
    “And what if we don’t?”
    He bent to kiss her forehead. “I’d never force you to do anything. You know that, don’t you? We’re friends .”
    Lucky took a deep breath and felt her resolve weakening. “I’m still not sure if this is the right thing to do.”
    He sighed. “Neither am I, but at least we can explore the possibilities. Shall we go and find your parents?”
    She clutched at his coat lapels. “Right now?”
    “Indeed.” He looked down at her. “I know you’d prefer to keep the news in the family until we make up our minds, but if we wish to discourage your seducer, we’ll need to make it public. I’m sorry, Lucky.”
    Whatever way she turned there were obstacles in her path, so surely all she could do was pick the best way forward? It seemed she was too weak to stand completely alone. At least with Paul she could be honest.
    “If I want to break the engagement, you’ll let me?”
    “I’ve already told you I will. I give you my word.”
    He waited quietly in front of her, his gaze sympathetic but full of resolution.
    She took a deep breath and reached for his hand. “Then let’s go and find my parents.”
     
    Constantine saw the sealed note on the silver platter when he walked into his lodgings and picked up the heavy parchment. He recognized Paul’s signet ring in the wax and carefully opened the letter. The message was short and to the point.
     
Lady Lucinda Haymore has accepted my hand in marriage.
Yours, Paul St. Clare.
     
    Con studied the words for a long moment and then crumpled the parchment in his hand. If he remembered correctly, Lady Lucinda was the new Duke of Ashmolton’s only child. How convenient for the Haymore family that the male heir to the title had offered to marry their daughter. Despite knowing that this would probably be the outcome, and understanding Paul’s decision even more clearly now, Con turned toward the fire, threw the note into the center of the red heat, and poured himself a large brandy.
    “Good evening, sir, may I serve your dinner?”
    Con looked up to see Gregor hovering by the door and drew himself up.
    “Yes indeed, and then pack my bags. I’m almost certainly leaving for the countryside tomorrow.”
    “Very good, sir. Do you wish me to accompany you?”
    “Not this time, Gregor.” He couldn’t bear the thought of his longtime batman worrying and fussing over him. “I’m sure Major Thomas Wesley has someone who can take care of my needs at his hunting lodge.”
    “If you are certain, sir.”
    “I am. Now please bring me my dinner. I’m famished.”
    It was definitely time to accept a long-standing invitation from Thomas Wesley to his country