Page 75 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
Chapter 20
Graciela swalloweda watery lump that had sprung all at once into being. “I see. We ran into her on the street. She greeted him most familiarly.”
Lady Perry’s face darkened. “I shall thrash him myself.”
“And I shall help you.” Lady Sirena patted a chair. “Come, I’ll call for some tea. Or better, some sherry.”
“No.” She shook her head. Had she not herself stressed to him in the carriage that she had no intentions of marrying him? “It is as it is. And as I said, our engagement is a ruse.”
Those kisses, a ruse. His strong hands, available to any willing woman. The passion he stirred, a weapon. Why?
Because he can. Because it was what men like him did.
And perhaps, it was freeing. If she did in fact have to marry him as the only means to collect her inheritance, she could hold him to his promise to let her keep her money and go her own way.
Rigo had wanted to own her. There was nothing of ownership in Charley Everly. He wanted freedom as much as she. And he made herfeelagain, even if there was no heart in it, even if it was just the carnal stirring of a dumb beast.
But if she chose that path, a marriage for money, there would never be a chance at a true marriage, like her parents’. Charley said she was cynical, but she wasn’t, not entirely. Love must be possible, perhaps even for someone as damaged as herself. Had not Lady Sirena found it with Lord Bakeley? One could but look at them together and see their happiness.
An arm came around her. “Perhaps you should not have told her, Perry,” Lady Sirena said.
Lady Perry’s face was grim. “She should know everything.”
Here was a true and honest ally.
“And you could have softened the blow a bit. In fact, we do not know he is off bedding her, do we now? Graciela, we do not even know he’s gone to see her. He may have gone to the tailor, or off to the jeweler to buy you a bauble, or to the shops for some new toys. Let’s not jump into this donnybrook quite yet.”
“It is quite all right, as I said. I am aware of his reputation. I have no aspiration to marry him. I merely wish to get control of my funds and go home. He is a means to an end, and we have that understanding between us.” She forced a smile. “I shall leave it to some other woman to tame him.”
Lady Perry frowned. “You are using him.”
“Yes, I am sorry. I was...desperate.” Perhaps thoughtless. “I don’t wish to hurt anyone. I…I should leave.” She must leave, and soon, or this great house would become another cage for her.
The two pairs of eyes watched her, and their feelings had shifted. They were seeing her anew, and not liking what they saw.
“You don’t know what it’s like to be a woman alone, Perry,” Lady Sirena said.
Lady Perry sighed. “We have our squabbles, Charley and I, but he is always kind in his own way. I wish you could care for him, Graciela. And I do think he cares for you.”
“Like many men, he cares for many women.” It had not been true of her Papa, but there it was. Living amongst men who went to sea, she knew this truth.
Lady Perry shook her head. “I believe the Duquesa was just an assignment.”
“An assignment?” More of Charley’s gossip gathering? Was that what he had meant?
Yet the woman was so beautiful. No man would resist that golden beauty.
“I shouldn’t talk of it. I don’t truly know anything, I only suspect. He visited quite often with Farnsworth before he left town.”
“Lord Farnsworth? My guardian?”
“Yes. He is Charley’s godfather, and Father’s great friend. And of course, a spymaster also.”
Her head began to ache. “Their war is long over.”
“There is always a war somewhere, or a threat of one. And with the coronation next month, well, the powers have gathered. It’s a perfect time to collect information. London is swarming with spies.” Lady Perry’s voice was wistful. “And good heavens, the Spanish colonies have all proclaimed their freedom. Is not your father there helping out with the cause?”
Her father’s last instructions had been puzzling. In dire straits, she should go to Lord Shaldon, he trusted the spy lord with her safety. But only if Papa should die, should she hand on the information he’d left with her, and what did that mean? Did he not entirely trust Lord Shaldon?
