Lady of Pleasure Read Online Free PDF Page B

yesterday.”
    Marshalsea. Her father had told her of that sordid prison. Their coach had driven by it many times. It was a place of chipped, red-brick walls looming high into the sky and padlocked iron gates where people with debts walked in and never walked out. Because their stay was determined not by the amount they owed, but by the whims of the wardens and the creditors. “You are a titled man. They cannot sentence you to such a place.”
    “Tell that to the man I owe,” he muttered.
    Her eyes widened. “Have you spoken to my brother about this?”
    He shook his head. “God, no. He was the one who told me not to invest.”
    She caught his arm. “Go to my father. He likes you. He will help you.”
    He stared. “I’m not about to beg your father for money.”
    “Pride has no place in this conversation. You are like family to us and he has the financial means to right this. Go to him. He is in his study.”
    He threw back his head. “I’m not about to— I don’t want you to worry. That isn’t why I told you. I will manage. I always do.”
    “Manage?” she echoed. “Ten thousand pounds isn’t exactly a shilling, Caldwell.”
He leveled his head but wouldn’t look at her.
    She swallowed. She shouldn’t have said that. “That was vulgar of me. I’m sorry.”
    He shrugged. “Don’t apologize. I was irresponsible and deserve to hang for it.”
    “No. You don’t. You didn’t take it all to a card table. You invested it as any gentleman does. How could you have predicted a fire?”
    His gaze veered to hers. “I couldn’t.”
    “Exactly. It isn’t your fault. At least breathe knowing that.”
    He said nothing.
    Trying to offer him a measure of comfort, Caroline grabbed hold of him and hugged his warmth as tightly against herself as she could. The scent of soap and freshly starched linen overtook her breath. She sagged against him, digging her hands into his clothes. She had never dared to embrace him before, but something told her he needed it.
    He stiffened against her before slowly wrapping his muscled arms around her. He pressed her against his muscled frame, a breath escaping him.
    She nestled her cheek against his embroidered waistcoat and achingly wished he could love her in the way she loved him. “Know that I will always love you. No matter how much or how little you have. No matter how hard you fall. I will be here for you. Always.”
    Another breath escaped him. He tightened his hold.
    It was as if he needed to hear those words.
    She tightened her own hold on his large frame.
    “Write to me during your stay in Bath,” he whispered.
    “I will write every week,” she whispered back.
    “We should practice your French more. Write a few conversational sentences in every letter, and I will respond with any corrections. Now don’t worry about me. I have survived crazier situations than this.” He smoothed a hand down her braid. “Enjoy your time in Bath.” Prying himself out of her arms, he hesitated and intently met her gaze. He lingered, searching her face.
    She swallowed, sensing he wanted to say something. “What? What is it?”
    His shaven jaw tightened. “You aren’t really a child anymore, are you?”
Her breath caught and she almost burst. It was like hearing him say ‘I love you.’ She searched his face. “No. I am not.”
    He averted his gaze and edged back. “I have to go. I have a few letters to write.” Swinging away, he shoved both hands into his coat pockets. Glancing back at her one last time, he disappeared out into the corridor.
    That was when she knew something between them had changed.
    And she couldn’t tell if it was for the better or worse.
    She fingered the cool surface of the coin he had given her. A coin he had once boasted he would never part with at any price. It was now her duty to ensure its legacy, even in the face of Caldwell’s ruin. A shaky breath escaped her as she pressed a loving kiss to it, wishing it were his lips.
    Booted footsteps from