Read Online The Perfect Scandal by Delilah Marvelle - Free Book Online
Authors: Delilah Marvelle
Ads: Link
supposed to be her protector?
Her bare fingers slid against the smooth oak, her grip loosening bit by bit. Though she didnât need her crutches to balance herself on one foot, her very dignity was being pried away. And while she couldnât physically take them on, unless she planned on beating them with the crutches they were so intent on having, she supposed there was only one way to go about this. She would unleash a weapon no man expected a genteel lady to use. A weapon she hadnât used since she was ten, and one she hoped would also draw the attention of every single man outside.
Sucking in a huge breath, Zosia released a long, piercing scream that pulsed against the respectable silence surrounding them.
Watkins jumped away, releasing his hold on both crutches. His eyes bulged as he snapped up both gloved hands. âCountess! Please. Stop! Mr. Lawrence, whatââ
A rapid pounding against the door rattled thecrystal chandelier above as a male voice boomed from the other side, â Open this door! Open the goddamn door! Now! â
Zosia paused, bringing an abrupt end to her charade, and regally eyed the butler, well satisfied with the result it had produced. âIt appears we have our very first concerned citizen. I suggest you open the door, Mr. Lawrence, or I will continue screaming and make every man outside think I am in desperate need of assistance. Then it will be your safety at stake. Not mine.â
Mr. Lawrenceâs eyes widened. He edged back, then heaved out a sigh and muttered something, his thin lips curling. Swinging his stout frame toward the door, he unbolted the latch and fanned it open just wide enough for her to peer past the opening beyond his shoulder.
Shouts echoed from the street as men frantically pushed and shoved their way up the stairs, holding out and waving their cards. Zosia sucked in an astonished breath, not only in response to the chaos, but in recognizing the man looming in the doorway just beyond the butler.
Lord Moreland.
SCANDAL FIVE
If a lady is descendant from an illustrious family, she should never parade her lineage. Should she be of humbler means, she should never create an air of pretense to elevate her status. A true lady will be able to impress others by what she is, and not the name she holds. I myself value compassion, intelligence and integrity above all else, but sadly, a name, money and a pretty face that is only capable of commenting on music and needlework is all the ton ever clamors over.
âHow To Avoid A Scandal,
Morelandâs Original Manuscript
U PON GLIMPSING A NOTABLE sliver of her dashing neighbor, Zosia gripped her crutches so tightly she could actually feel her pulse throbbing against the smooth wood.
Lord Moreland leaned toward the narrow opening the butler had made, his top hat momentarily shadowing his features. âI am requesting an audiencewith your mistress. âTis obvious she is in dire need of assistance and I am here to offer it.â
The butler stiffened. âI am afraid she is unavailable. But if you would like to leave a card, sir, I assure youââ
âI donât have a card. But I do have this. â Lord Moreland rammed his broad shoulder against the door, causing the butler to stumble off to the side as the door freely swung open. Several men waving their calling cards in gloved hands tried pushing their way past Lord Moreland.
âMy card!â one of the men shouted, reaching past Lord Morelandâs arm and waving his card.
âEy, now, I was here first!â another shouted, shoving that man, causing Lord Moreland to stumble forward.
Zosia stiffened, expecting a rush through the door, but Lord Moreland whipped around toward them, scooping the clamoring men back and away from the entrance with an impressive sweep of his long arms. âStep off!â he boomed, using his entire body to push them back. âCease this behavior for one breathing moment, gentlemen,
Her bare fingers slid against the smooth oak, her grip loosening bit by bit. Though she didnât need her crutches to balance herself on one foot, her very dignity was being pried away. And while she couldnât physically take them on, unless she planned on beating them with the crutches they were so intent on having, she supposed there was only one way to go about this. She would unleash a weapon no man expected a genteel lady to use. A weapon she hadnât used since she was ten, and one she hoped would also draw the attention of every single man outside.
Sucking in a huge breath, Zosia released a long, piercing scream that pulsed against the respectable silence surrounding them.
Watkins jumped away, releasing his hold on both crutches. His eyes bulged as he snapped up both gloved hands. âCountess! Please. Stop! Mr. Lawrence, whatââ
A rapid pounding against the door rattled thecrystal chandelier above as a male voice boomed from the other side, â Open this door! Open the goddamn door! Now! â
Zosia paused, bringing an abrupt end to her charade, and regally eyed the butler, well satisfied with the result it had produced. âIt appears we have our very first concerned citizen. I suggest you open the door, Mr. Lawrence, or I will continue screaming and make every man outside think I am in desperate need of assistance. Then it will be your safety at stake. Not mine.â
Mr. Lawrenceâs eyes widened. He edged back, then heaved out a sigh and muttered something, his thin lips curling. Swinging his stout frame toward the door, he unbolted the latch and fanned it open just wide enough for her to peer past the opening beyond his shoulder.
Shouts echoed from the street as men frantically pushed and shoved their way up the stairs, holding out and waving their cards. Zosia sucked in an astonished breath, not only in response to the chaos, but in recognizing the man looming in the doorway just beyond the butler.
Lord Moreland.
SCANDAL FIVE
If a lady is descendant from an illustrious family, she should never parade her lineage. Should she be of humbler means, she should never create an air of pretense to elevate her status. A true lady will be able to impress others by what she is, and not the name she holds. I myself value compassion, intelligence and integrity above all else, but sadly, a name, money and a pretty face that is only capable of commenting on music and needlework is all the ton ever clamors over.
âHow To Avoid A Scandal,
Morelandâs Original Manuscript
U PON GLIMPSING A NOTABLE sliver of her dashing neighbor, Zosia gripped her crutches so tightly she could actually feel her pulse throbbing against the smooth wood.
Lord Moreland leaned toward the narrow opening the butler had made, his top hat momentarily shadowing his features. âI am requesting an audiencewith your mistress. âTis obvious she is in dire need of assistance and I am here to offer it.â
The butler stiffened. âI am afraid she is unavailable. But if you would like to leave a card, sir, I assure youââ
âI donât have a card. But I do have this. â Lord Moreland rammed his broad shoulder against the door, causing the butler to stumble off to the side as the door freely swung open. Several men waving their calling cards in gloved hands tried pushing their way past Lord Moreland.
âMy card!â one of the men shouted, reaching past Lord Morelandâs arm and waving his card.
âEy, now, I was here first!â another shouted, shoving that man, causing Lord Moreland to stumble forward.
Zosia stiffened, expecting a rush through the door, but Lord Moreland whipped around toward them, scooping the clamoring men back and away from the entrance with an impressive sweep of his long arms. âStep off!â he boomed, using his entire body to push them back. âCease this behavior for one breathing moment, gentlemen,
Similar Books
