Read Online The Summer of Wine and Scandal: A Novella by Shana Galen - Free Book Online Page B

walking. You remember that day you returned without me? I became hopelessly lost and encountered Miss Martin on a section of her father’s land that borders yours. She led me back to the Friar’s House.”
    Bertie chuckled. “Some things never change. Do you remember that time we were in Lyon and we became separated from the regiment? You insisted we travel north, even though the regiment had been posted south.”
    “My compass was broken.”
    “Your head is broken. I suppose when you went out walking yesterday, you met with Miss Martin again.”
    “How did you guess?”
    “Ha! I told Georgie I was suspicious of your sudden interest in walking. You wouldn’t walk from the drawing room to the dining room if it wasn’t required.”
    “Perhaps I’ve changed.”
    “Because of Miss Martin?”
    Lochley lifted his glass, perplexed to see it empty of wine. He placed it on the table between the damask chairs and lowered himself into the one beside Bertie.
    “I liked her. More than I ought to, I suppose. She was refreshing and—good God, I cannot believe I am saying this—unpretentious.”
    “She is still refreshing and unpretentious. Her past doesn’t change who she is now.”
    Lochley rested his elbows on his knees and dropped his head between his arms. “Doesn’t it? Perhaps I don’t know her at all. And Bertie”—he raised his head to meet his friend’s eyes—“she was a prostitute. That is no small sin.”
    Bertie sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “So now you are the authority on the ranking of sins? Who is to say one is worse than another? And it’s not as though you are blameless.”
    Lochley felt his back bristle. “Neither are you.”
    “I’m not condemning Miss Martin.”
    “You weren’t thinking of marrying her either.”
    Bertie’s jaw dropped, and Lochley raised his hands. “I don’t know why I said that. I didn’t mean it. I am not marrying Caro.”
    “Caro? Oh, you like her, Peregrine . You more than like her, else you wouldn’t give a fig that she was once a moll. You’d say something interesting finally happened in the country.”
    It was exactly the sort of thing he would say.
    “I can’t possibly like her now.”
    Without a word, Bertie rose and marched to the door.
    “Where the devil are you going?”
    Bertie opened the door and made a show of peering out. “To look for the real Peregrine Lochley. The man I know would never judge someone so harshly. Good God, man, you haven’t even asked her for an explanation.”
    “What explanation can there be?”
    Bertie shook his head. “I always thought you the fairest, most decent of men, but tonight you show a prejudice I find I dislike intensely. Good night.” He slammed the door.
    “Good night!” Lochley slumped back in his chair. “Who the devil does he think he is anyway?” He answered his own question. “Only your most loyal and truest friend.” He stood. “He’s not acting like much of a friend right now.” He sat again. “You’re one to talk—and bloody well stop talking to yourself!”
    There was only one thing to do—for himself and to prove to Gage he wasn’t a complete arse. He had to confront Caro and hear her story for himself.
    ***
    S he didn’t know why she’d come to the stream. Lochley wouldn’t join her, not after what he learned about her last night. He hadn’t even been able to look at her, or speak to her, after her secret had been revealed. She was certain he would never deign to acknowledge her again.
    That was his loss, then. She didn’t need him. Yes, she’d enjoyed talking with him. Yes, he’d amused her on occasion and intrigued her with his knowledge about wine, but it wasn’t as though she cared what he thought of her. It wasn’t as though she cared if she ever saw him again.
    She perched on the log, and her fingers strayed to her lips. Staring at the sun glinting off the burbling stream, she brushed the pads of her fingertips across her mouth. She would have to