Fortune's Lady Read Online Free PDF Page B

to release her hand, now slippery with his sweat, but his grip didn’t slacken. “Won’t you—sit down?” she tried again.
    â€œHave you given any thought to what you’ll do now?” he asked, oblivious. “You must forgive me for this unseemly haste, but I have reason to know that your father’s death has occasioned a need for some changes in your life in the very near future. I pray I don’t flatter myself when I venture to hope those changes might include me.”
    His breath smelled like cheese. Beyond that, it irritated her to think that his “reason to know” anything at all about her must surely have come from Aunt Beth. The thought of the two of them discussing her in any way whatsoever annoyed her out of all proportion. “Mr. Frane—” she began.
    But he was working himself up to it and there was no stopping him. “You must know the high regard in which I hold you, Miss Merlin,” he said feelingly, “you couldn’t possibly not know. Although we haven’t known each other long, I feel a very deep, very strong attachment to you. I know I’m not much of a man for words, but—I think you’re splendid! And I can provide for you handsomely, I do assure you, for I’m quite a wealthy man.”
    She stiffened her arm; endeavoring to maintain the gap of space she’d put between them and which he was doing his best to close. “Oh, Mr. Frane—”
    â€œAnd generous as well, if you’ve not already noticed. No woman has ever had cause to complain of Edward Frane’s openhandedness, you can be certain of that.”
    â€œI’m sure. It’s just—”
    â€œYou’d have everything you’ve ever wanted— beautiful clothes, jewelry, even your own carriage. And you could live anywhere you liked in all of London. But of course, my house is in Aldersgate, so you’d want to be in that general vicinity for the sake of convenience.”
    Cass blinked. “What?”
    â€œAs for availability and all that sort of thing, we can work out the details later, but I tell you I’m prepared to be flexible. My only absolute requirement is Sundays—you would have to be at my disposal on Sundays. It’s my day off.”
    Fighting a strong temptation to laugh—not at him but at herself—Cass used her left hand to pry the fingers of her right out of his wet, spidery grasp and took a step back. “You’re asking me to be your mistress,” she said, enunciating carefully.
    â€œYou’d never regret it, I promise you. Cassandra —Miss Merlin—do say yes. I’d give you everything you ever wanted, I swear it. My dear, you’re so lovely—” He reached for her and she took another hasty step back.
    â€œYou won’t marry me?”
    â€œMarry you!” He was astounded. His eyes widened to the size of sixpences. “My dear girl—”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œWhy not! Well!” At least he had the grace to blush. “It’s nothing against you personally, but it—it’s just not possible.”
    â€œWhy isn’t it?”
    â€œYou must know I couldn’t. It would be—”
    â€œIt would be what? Tell me!” Why was she tormenting him? She knew the answer as well as he. In truth, she wanted to see him squirm.
    â€œIt’s out of the question. You—you’re—No, no, it’s impossible. Besides, my father’s a clergyman.”
    â€œYour—” Her jaw dropped. “You’re saying he’d be upset if you married me, but not if you only— fornicated with me?” This time she did laugh, though without a particle of humor. “What sort of clergyman is he, Mr. Frane?” His small face went a mottled shade of red, but before he could answer she pointed to the door. “I want you to leave now, sir. You are not welcome in this house.”
    â€œHere, now! Here,