Jaded Moon (Ransomed Jewels Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

of me. I am merely trying to explain why every detail of a person’s lifestyle is considered before we place one of our children into someone’s care. What I am having a certain degree of difficulty understanding, is why Mrs. Gardner’s child should be of any concern to you… now .”
    From the slight rise of his shoulders, the openness of her question had at least surprised him. Josie steeled herself as she waited for his answer.
    “Is it not enough that I am offering to take Mrs. Gardner’s child and provide for it?”
    “A man of your reputation?”
    The words had spilled out of her mouth before she could stop them. Words she honestly meant but sincerely wished she hadn’t said.
    “Ah,” he answered, his voice brimming with a subtle hostility that came through with blatant clarity. The muscle at the side of his jaw knotted as evidence to his building anger and his steely glare didn’t leave her face for a second. “I see my father’s indiscretions have even reached your delicate ears.”
    Josie couldn’t hide her surprise. “It’s not your father’s indiscretions we’re talking about, Lord Rainforth. He’s not the one who wants to take one of the children out of my reach. It’s your reputation that’s in question. I could never in good conscience release one of the children into your care knowing what I do about your character. What I cannot understand, is why you want the child?
    “My reasons are no one’s concern but my own.”
    “I’m sure they would be of great concern to Mrs. Gardner. May I suggest that your relationship to Mrs. Gardner was far more than friendship? And unless I’m in error concerning the…ah, circumstances surrounding the child’s birth, I’m sure you also provided the lady with a modest income so she could live in relative comfort in some remote area of England where you would never have to lay eyes on her again. That’s what the nobility does to their castoff mistresses, is it not?”
    The air held a dangerous tension as the two stood locked in battle. Only the nervous clearing of the vicar’s throat penetrated the silence.
    “Miss Foley,” Vicar Chadwick interrupted, clearly embarrassed by her outright accusations. “I think—”
    “It’s all right, Vicar Chadwick,” Josie said, barely able to contain her anger. “We’re all adults. We’re all acquainted with the ways of the world. Especially the habits of the nobility. And the marquess’s reputation certainly speaks for itself on this matter. Have you come to dispose of the child, sir? Are you suddenly concerned that if not dealt with now, the child might be a future embarrassment to you?”
    Another long, uncomfortable silence filled the room. It was several tense seconds before the Marquess of Rainforth answered. When he did, his voice contained a deadly tautness that sent a chill racing down Josie’s spine.
    “I hardly have to answer to you, Miss Foley. Suffice it to say, the child is important to me.”
    “How can it be? It hasn’t been from the day it was born. Besides, it can never be a legal heir.”
    “The child’s birthright is not at issue. Only the child’s welfare.” With hands tight into fists at his side, he took one more step closer until he towered over her. “I’ll repeat my question. A question you’d be wise to answer. Is this where Mrs. Gardner’s child was brought after the accident?”
    Josie couldn’t mistake the fury in his eyes. Couldn’t ignore the tension so thick it nearly suffocated her.
    “I expect an answer,” he said, his voice not a loud demand that would have fueled her anger even more, but a soft, deadly command that sent a wave of apprehension racing through her.
    With an act of defiance much braver than she felt, Josie stepped so close to the marquess that the hem of her worn cotton gown rested on the tips of his black leather boots. She was so near him she had to lift her chin to look him in the eyes, and when she did, she nearly stumbled backward. But