Ladies of Deception 02 - Misleading Lord Martineau Read Online Free PDF Page A

down the street, away from the scene he had just caused. He knew Lord Wadsworth well enough to know that he wouldn’t just sit back and take the humiliation Elliot had inflicted upon him kindly. No, there would definitely be a consequence to pay; he just hoped that he didn’t plan on taking out his revenge on Felicity.
    He made up his mind right then and there that he was going to have to protect her, and convince her that whatever reasons she had for her perfidy were idiotic. She had loved him once, enough that she was willing to give everything she had to him and he wouldn’t accept anything less from her now. With any luck, before the season was over, Felicity Pemberton would finally be his wife. The thought made him smile.
    He would just have to spend the next few weeks courting her and convincing her to give up her foolish scheme. From now on, wherever Lady Davenport was, Elliot would be there also. Society’s gossipmongers were sure going to have a lot to talk about when Lord Martineau started showing up at every society function—tongues were sure to wag.

Chapter 3
    Saturday April 16 th , 1814
    Elliot awoke the next morning in an unusually chipper mood. He shaved the stubble from his face before allowing Charles to dress him, all the while eyeing him skeptically. Charles had been his valet since he had returned from Eton and had surely had the chance to witness his various moods throughout the years. He had always patiently endured the bouts of anger and melancholy that would sporadically inflict Elliot since Felicity’s disappearance, ever the loyal servant. He went on tiptoe to secure a fresh cravat around his master’s neck when Elliot reached out and took it from him and proceeded to tie it himself, whistling merrily.
    Charles watched him warily. “It’s a good morning, my lord,” he said but the way he said it, it came out sounding more like a question than a statement.
    Elliot stopped whistling, “Yes Charles, and hopefully the day will only get better.” Without further explanation, he grabbed his coat and threw it over his shoulder before strolling happily out of the room.
    He went to the breakfast room and sat down while a servant brought him a pot of steaming tea and a tray of blueberry scones. When his butler arrived with a stack of invitations he exclaimed, “Ah, Percival, just the man I wished to see.” He reached for the stack of envelopes and began shuffling through them, anxious to see what entertainments were being provided for his pleasure.
    He casually threw aside an invitation to a musicale and another to a ball to be held at the Timkin’s when he remembered that Felicity was supposed to be escorting Lord Wadsworth to Vauxhall Gardens this eve. He grinned wickedly when he thought of the horrendous bruise that was sure to mar Lord Wadsworth’s face as a result of the broken nose Elliot had inflicted. He was pretty sure the cad wouldn’t dare be seen in public with such imperfection tarnishing his pretty boy face and he delightfully realized that his impetuous actions the previous night would free up Felicity for the evening.
    Picking up the discarded invitations, he began once more to shuffle through them. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he studied each invite, trying to decipher which event Felicity was most likely to attend. He thought back to when they were younger—Felicity had the voice of an angel, a hauntingly melodic voice that was grander than any instrument ever played. She had always favored attending musicales over balls, much to Elliot’s chagrin, often being asked to perform and always obliging.
    Musicale’s usually bored Elliot to tears, listening to endless displays of amateurish talent grated on his nerves. If he was going to subject himself to listening to such horrendous clatter, he’d rather be in a barn listening to a horse give birth. At least the awful sounds heard there eventually led to new life. That was unless Felicity was singing; he’d