Page 16 of The Forbidden Lord
The room seemed to sway around her. The answer to that question was painfully obvious. She’d have no chance against Lord Nesfield’s power and lofty station. There was no proof of her innocence. Besides, even if she could win such a trial—which was doubtful, given his connections—she and Papa would still be outcasts everywhere. “You wouldn’t. You couldn’t be so cruel!”
“Your poor father. To see his daughter brought to trial for murder. It would kill him.” He gave an unearthly cackle. “It would killyou.And what a pity to see such a pretty girl’s life cut off in its prime.”
She shuddered. “You would lie about me that way? You would bring me to trial for a murder I didn’t commit? How could you?” She grasped at straws. “It would mean scandal for you, to have your rector’s daughter accused of murder.”
“Do you think I care about scandal with my daughter’s well-being at stake? You wish to protect your father.” He pounded his cane on the floor. “Well, I shall protect my daughter’s reputation and future at all costs.”
She stared into the fire, wishing it would spill out and consume Lord Nesfield with all his nasty threats. “Why me? Surely there’s some other poor girl you can blackmail into doing as you wish.”
“Because you are the best person for our scheme.” His impersonal eyes ran over her with the thoroughness of a man choosing a prize racehorse. “You’re genteel enough to pass for nobility, and you’re clever enough to learn what you don’t know. No one of consequence in society knows you, so you won’t be recognized by some friend. The only ball you’ve attended where any of thetonmight have met you was a masquerade ball, and you wore widow’s weeds and a mask. You didn’t even dance, for God’s sake.”
Folding his arms over his chest, he said, “So you see, it must be you. No one will know you, nor care when you disappear and return to your safe little life here.”
No one would know her. That wasn’t true! Lord Blackmore had seen her without her mask. Of course, she could hardly tell Lord Nesfield that she’d been alone in a carriage with his enemy, a man notorious for his associations with women. For one thing,Lord Nesfield wouldn’t believe it. And if he did, it would merely give him one more thing to hold over her.
Besides, she wasn’t even sure Lord Blackmore would recognize her. The earl had only seen her briefly by moonlight. He’d probably already forgotten her face.
Still, others might know her, no matter what Lord Nesfield believed. “What about Lawrence, my cousin? If he sees me in London?—”
“Do not be absurd. A London barrister does not attend society balls. And if you happen upon him in the street, you can tell him you came to London with Sophie.”
She cast about in her mind for others. “What about the Gormans? And the Taylors?” she said, naming the two most prominent families in Willow Crossing. “They go to London for the Season, and they know me. What of the Drydens?”
“The Drydens’ grandchild has just been born. They won’t leave their estate with the newborn there. The Gormans aren’t going to the city this year, because they don’t want to leave Mr. Gorman’s ill mother. As for the Taylors, their daughter’s coming out last year cost them so much they’ve decided not to go to town this year.”
“But surely there will be someone?—”
“If there is, I’ll take care of it.”
“What about Papa? How can I explain why I’m leaving him?”
Lord Nesfield’s lifted his scrawny shoulders in a careless shrug. “We’ll tell him that Sophie needs you in London. It will be better if he did not know the rest, for he might object. Or would you rather tell him the truth?”
Tears sprang to her eyes. Ruthlessly, she held them back. Wretched man! This was so unfair! If she ever saw Sophie again, she’d strangle the girl for doing this to her!
No, she mustn’t blame Sophie. It was her own fault—if she had been more careful with the laudanum, none of this wouldhave happened, and Lord Nesfield wouldn’t have this hold on her. This was her punishment for that.
Still, to actively take part in his deception would be an offense against every moral precept! Yet she had no choice. She doubted God would want her to sacrifice her life for such precepts, especially when it would mean heartache for Papa.
“Very well. I’ll do as you wish.” The words were wrenched from her.
“One more thing.”
Her eyes burned with unshed tears. “What more could you possibly want from me?”
“You must keep your reasons for helping me secret, even from my sister, or I swear I will make good on my threats.”
“Lady Dundee wouldn’t approve of your blackmailing, I take it?”
He scowled. “I don’t know. But I don’t want her interference. If you tell her the truth, I swear?—”
“You’ve made yourself quite clear.” She straightened her spine. “But if I do this, you must swear to bury Mama’s secret forever.”
He eyed her through his lorgnette. “Certainly. Once I find my daughter’s secret suitor and put an end to his pretensions, you and I will be done with each other.”
“Do you swear it?”
“I swear it.”
