Lord Heartless Read Online Free PDF Page B

his words were true. She had few options at best. He knew it as did she. All that was left to her now was to become a whore or to be sold into marriage to pay her father’s debts. While she would not sell her soul on the street, was his offer any better? For so long, she’d been her own woman, left to her own decisions in running her life. Now, to become subjected to a man whose nature by all accounts in the papers was no better than her father’s. A throb started behind her eyes.
    Think of the security. Your duty first is to look after Holly Grove and our people . Juliet closed her eyes at the sound of her father’s voice and steadied her nerves before answering. She had others to think about. The old proverb came to her: pride goes before the fall. “Forgive me, I spoke out of turn. What you offer is indeed something to consider.” She heard his ragged breath give way to relief. “Lord Montague, should I accept, what happens to my staff?”
    “It would not change. In fact, I would ask that your groundskeeper hire a few more men and boys to help restore the gardens.”
    She nodded.
    “We would have to buy furnishings to fill the rooms. I have some furniture in storage but not nearly enough.” He stepped forward and took her hand, pulling it to his breast. “Lady Juliet, feel the beat of my heart. It holds you no malice nor do I.”
    She reached out, hesitantly and her fingers brushed the starch of his shirt. Below the fine white cotton, she could feel the strong beat of his heart.
    “I do not lie, Lady Juliet. I shall respect you in all matters. Please, allow me to take care of you and in some small way amend my wrong.”
    Her mind whirled as thoughts rambled through the haze of excitement. Should she accept his offer, her home and a place for the loyal staff that labored so hard under her father’s failing money woes would be secured. It did seem to be the answer to her prayers. “I-I have bills,” she stammered.
    “Considered them paid.”
    “You know not the amounts.”
    “I have an idea. I would be a fool not to have checked. Fear not, I have the money.”
    She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. Like a cart rolling fast toward the cliffs of Dover, she could not stop the fate that awaited her. Her pulse began to race. “This is all so sudden. There are banns that must be read.”
    “My solicitor can take care of that and pay for the special license.”
    “How much time would I have?”
    “Today is Wednesday. We could have them printed, then read.” He looked to the Reverend Phelps locked in conversation behind them. “Perhaps, the reverend would do the honors here in a quiet ceremony before your chapel next Sunday. Then we could go to London, where you would meet my family, while I make some improvements here.”
    “I-I don’t know.” She turned away.
    Leaves crunched beneath the soles of his boots as his palms found her shoulders. Their warmth seeping through her threadbare cloak scorching the skin below as his words filled her ears. “I know. I know it is quick. It would not be the marriage a woman in your position wanted; however it would be best for both of us if you would accept.”
    “So little time,” she whispered.
    “We must act with haste. I know it asks a lot of you, no parties, no presents, no planning. Your life will be forever changed.”
    The silence deepened. She waited, yet no sense of dread filled her breast.
    “Lady Juliet?” Mrs. Phelps called to her.
    She turned and caught the look of fear upon the woman’s face.
    “Is everything all right?” the minister’s wife asked, huffing as she hurried up the walk toward the paddock.
    Juliet smiled. “Yes, yes, Mrs. Phelps, everything is fine.” With nervous smile, she looked toward the man standing beside her, waiting for an answer. “Lord Montague has proposed marriage.”
    The reverend’s wife gasped. Her hand flew to her breast.
    Juliet swallowed the last of her pride, then turned and took his hands.