Debt of Honor Read Online Free PDF

she said. “Thank you.”
    His intense gaze slid to her mouth. Heat, apprehension and more swooshing, together with a flock of butterflies in her belly, amounted to a very uncomfortable reaction. She tried to move away, but his arm and hand still trapped her. Her attempt did not go unnoticed.
    Sir Percival shook his head, and his gaze refocused, with the customary polite indifference, on her eyes. The hand holding her side slid down, brushing lightly against her dress. The arm that prevented her downfall dropped away.
    “Good,” he said in a tone that might apply this sentiment to a large number of unimportant things. Then he offered her his arm as if nothing happened.
    Letitia took it and let him lead her to the door of her bedchamber. The strange butterflies gave way to a growing dread. It reached her throat by the time they stopped in front of the door.
    Sir Percival pressed down on the handle. “I believe you want to get ready for the night. It has been an eventful day.”
    “Indeed,” she murmured, trying to decide whether pleading a headache might procure a delay in fulfilling her vows.
    Meanwhile, he pushed the door open and indicated the room to her. “Allow me to wish you a very good night, then.” With a bow, he removed the arm on which her hand was resting.
    What? Letitia dropped her hand when her fingers curled around empty air. “You…wish to forego your marital rights tonight?” she asked, certain her hearing was at fault.
    “A marriage of convenience does not require consummation, ma’am,” Sir Percival informed her without one blink of an eye. “Tonight or any other night. You may sleep peacefully. I shall not interrupt your rest.”
    He bowed, turned and walked farther down the hall to another door, leaving Letitia with her mouth open, gaping at his departing back.
    Just before he turned to see her standing there like a pillar of salt, she hastily walked into her room and leaned with her back against the door once she shut it. Could he read her mind? Well, at least they were in agreement about the nature of their relationship. Maybe Josepha was correct. Maybe he wasn’t made of exactly the same stuff as her father. His unexpected acquiescence to her unspoken plea was a great relief. But not the fashion in which he did it, the politeness of his words bordering on mockery, the thinly veiled condescension in his countenance.
    Josepha walked into the room, carrying the new nightgown generously decorated with lace and tiny ribbons. Her eyes danced with merriment.
    “Get ready before that handsome devil comes in here and finds you still in your dress. Although,” she grinned, “he might not object to undressing you himself.”
    “He is not going to do either, Josie.” The words came out on a tremulous note while Letitia swallowed unexpected tears. Walter’s merry laughter rang in her head again. “He is not coming here tonight or ever.”
    “Why not?” Josepha’s tone lost its teasing edge. “What did he tell you?”
    “That a marriage of convenience does not require consummation.”
    “His lordship really said that?” Josepha blinked with disbelief.
    “He really did.”
    “And what did I tell you?” Josepha’s disbelief melted into another smile. “He is a good man. I never heard of a husband who would do such a thing on the wedding night. Or at any other time when he wished to claim his rights.”
    “A paragon of goodness, Josie,” Letitia muttered sarcastically.
    Josepha had it all wrong. Sir Percival Hanbury had married not her but the Earl of Stanville’s money.
    “Bring me my old nightgown, please. I am tired, and I want to sleep.”
    As soon as Josepha left, Letitia tiptoed to the door separating her room from her husband’s. The door seemed heavy and solid, yet she could hear muffled conversation on the other side. Apparently, Sir Percival was talking to his valet.
    Then she heard another door open and close. The conversation stopped, but someone was still walking