Desperate Measures (Regency Undone) Read Online Free PDF

living only a few miles away from me.  How marvelous will that be?’
    ‘ Oh Sophia, you do not understand.  I do not wish to be married again.  Ever.  I would never have agreed to the pretence had I thought for one moment that the Dowager might survive.  Not that I wish her dead of course, but the Duke assured me she would not live above a couple of days and that after that we could go our separate ways and no-one would be any the wiser.  But now - not only is she improving by the day but she has also shared the news of our engagement with her sister and her cousins. There is no way of stopping the news from spreading.  It is a disaster.  And Guy is adamant that the only way out now is for us to marry.’
    Her eyes filled with tears.  ‘But I do not want to marry again,’ she repeated.  ‘There must be another way.’ 
    ‘ But Isi, surely if you stop to think, you will realise that it would not be such a bad thing to be wedded to Guy?  I own he is not the most congenial of men; and indeed when first I met him I thought him the most disagreeable of creatures and absolutely terrifying to boot, but it did not take me long to realise that his manner was something of a front.  His marriage was not a happy one you know and he is a complicated character; but Ralph is extremely fond of him and says he could not wish for a finer friend or cousin, and that his sense of honour is second to none.  He may not be the most jovial of characters my love but I am convinced he would be nowhere near as awful as your first husband.  And think of the security you would have.’
    A loud rap on the front door startled them both. 
    ‘It is him,’ Isabelle whispered fearfully.  ‘Oh, what shall I say?’
    ‘ Hear him out,’ her friend advised sagely.  ‘Then make your decision as you think fit.  But really my love, do not cast him over lightly.  Just think of the many advantages you would acquire by becoming the Duchess of Rotherham.’
    ‘ His Grace, the Duke of Rotherham…’ the butler announced from the door.
    Isabelle spun round, her eyes settling on the stern countenance she had come to recognise so well over the past couple of weeks.  He was looking particularly impressive today - his fine Hessian boots so shiny one could almost see one’s reflection in them.  She waited as he greeted Sophia politely and then felt the colour tinge her cheeks as that steady regard settled upon her features.
    ‘ You are well, I trust, Isabelle?’
    ‘ Yes thank you, Your Grace.’
    ‘ Good I am pleased to hear it.  I wonder Sophia, could I beg a private audience with your friend?  I will not keep her long.’
    Sophia looked to Isabelle, then smiled.  ‘I shall arrange for some liquid refreshment to be brought to the morning room for when you are both done, and I will wait for you there.’
    ‘You have thought about my offer?’ Guy said, once the door was closed behind her. 
    Isabelle held herself stiffly as she met his look.  ‘I have, Your Grace, but I cannot think it right that we should marry.  We are both well aware that that was not the original intention of our agreement.  Indeed I would never have consented to the pretence of an Engagement had I thought there was the slightest possibility of that happening.  And neither, I think, would you.  We both acted under    pressure and neither of us should be held to account for our responses at that time.  I know you feel a certain obligation to me on that score, and I appreciate the chivalry of your sentiments, but let me assure you that is not necessary.  I have no desire to remarry – indeed I actively wish not to do so.’
    ‘ Why is your fear of marriage so strong, Isabelle?’
    His words took her by surprise and she blinked at him, the shutters coming down instantly.
    ‘You are mistaken, Sir.  I fear nothing.’ she said coldly.  ‘I simply do not wish to have my life run by a man ever again.’
    ‘ And what if I were to promise you that I would