A Scoundrel's Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page A

narrowed. Was he so horrified by the idea of spending any time in the same house as she that he would bolt . . . again ? Just as he had the last time they were together, only this time he admitted he would go. As if that made it better.
    The anger she had long fought to suppress momentarily shot to the surface and bubbled over.
    â€œYou? Quit? How shocking,” she said through clenched teeth, unable to keep the bitter sarcasm from her tone.
    Caleb spun to face her fully and she saw a brief flash of anger in his eyes, but she was happy to also see a rare glimpse of chagrin as well. Good. She hoped he felt sorry. God knew she had done enough of that since the last time she saw him.
    With a flounce of her hair, she turned away before he could retort.
    â€œDo as you wish, Mr. Talbot,” she said. “Your actions are meaningless to me. Now, I find I’m very tired from our travels. If you wouldn’t mind, Victoria, I’d like to retire to my chambers.”
    Victoria slowly stared from one fuming houseguest to the other before she nodded. “Of course, Marah. I’ll show you to them myself.”
    Marah nodded to Justin, but completely ignored Caleb as she turned away and followed her friend up the long hallway and to the staircase beyond. But with every step she felt Caleb’s eyes burning into her. And it took everything in her not to look back at him.
    M arah dipped her hands into the icy cold water in the basin in her room and splashed it over her skin. She was surprised that it didn’t sizzle when it met the heat of her anger and humiliation. Grabbing for a nearby towel, she dried the droplets of water that clung to her skin and drew in a deep, cleansing breath before she turned to face Victoria.
    Her friend shifted with discomfort, but Marah was incapable of tempering her reaction at present. She’d never before felt so betrayed and ambushed.
    â€œWould you care to explain yourself?” Marah said softly as she placed the bunched towel beside the basin. “Or at least tell me why Caleb Talbot is here , in this house?”
    Victoria shook her head swiftly, but made no effort to move toward Marah.
    â€œI’m so sorry, Marah. I had no idea that my brother-in-law would be staying here at the same time you were in residence.”
    Marah arched a brow. From the sick, horrified look on Victoria’s face, Marah believed that to be true, but regardless, the response didn’t fully satisfy her. After all, it implied other, less savory statements.
    â€œBut you did know he would be here in London, didn’t you?” she asked softly.
    Victoria hesitated long enough that Marah knew the answer even before it was spoken, and she pursed her lips in increased displeasure.
    Victoria whispered, “I did. At the same time I left Town to visit you in Baybary, Justin departed in the hopes he could locate his brother. His father asked him to bring Caleb home in these final weeks of his life and Justin couldn’t refuse that request.”
    Again, a surge of empathy for Caleb rose up in Marah, but she tamped it down firmly. There was no room for any deeper feeling for the man now. Not when he had made it so abundantly clear that he didn’t want or need her regard, her empathy, or her affection.
    She blushed before she spoke again. “If you knew he would be here, it follows that you were aware we would see each other, even if Caleb wasn’t residing within your walls.”
    Victoria nodded a second time, though the motion was slow to come. “I realized it was very likely that your paths would cross once you were both in Town, yes. After all, Justin is Caleb’s brother. Whether he stayed here or not, we would have invited him to join us many times during your stay.”
    â€œAnd yet you didn’t share any of this with me when you urged me to join you in London.” Marah sucked in a breath, for she feared the sting behind her eyes that said tears