My Fair Mistress Read Online Free PDF Page A

forbid her to proceed. But what else was she to do?
    From the time of their mother’s death when Julianna was eleven, she’d cared for her two younger siblings, more mother to them in many ways than older sister. They were all the family she had left in the world. She couldn’t abandon them now, no matter the sacrifice.
    “Very well,” she murmured. “That leaves where and when. Even as a widow, I can’t come and go at all hours. We would need to meet at times when my absence would go unremarked. Afternoon, perhaps.”
    She flushed at the thought. How mortifying! In all the years of her marriage, she’d never once had relations at any time other than night.
    “Afternoon is agreeable. I’ll rearrange my schedule. As for where, I have a couple of locations in mind. I’ll think on it and let you know. You’ll need to give me your direction so I can send ’round a messenger. Discreetly, of course.”
    Half numb, she repeated her address on Upper Brook Street, realizing as she did the magnitude of her actions. Was she really going through with this shameful plan? With every word spoken, every second that passed, the likelihood increased.
    A queasy fist clenched tight in her stomach. Only by sheer force of will did she remain seated, powerfully tempted to hurry out to her waiting hack and race back to the security and comfort of her home. A home where he now knew she lived. She’d come to offer him her possessions. Instead she was offering herself.
    “I can think of only one final item that requires discussion,” he said in that deep, smooth drawl that made shivers tingle deliciously along her spine. “The likelihood of you getting in a family way.”
    Her mouth fell open, her shock so profound she couldn’t utter a squeak.
    He went on. “I’ll do what I can to prevent a pregnancy. There are a few methods available, though admittedly none that are foolproof. You should take precautions as well, efficacious herbs and such; that way both of us can increase the odds no unwanted issue shall spring from our liaison. Lord knows the last thing I want is to bring another bastard into the world.”
    Was he illegitimate? she thought, wondering at his remark. She recalled the earlier statement he’d made when he’d referred to himself as a “baseborn commoner.” Well, many men of his class came into this world outside the sanctity of marriage. If he had, it didn’t matter to her.
    She swallowed a sigh, an old, familiar sadness sweeping through her as she considered the topic at hand. Though in this instance, all she could feel was relief. She no more wanted to find herself pregnant with his child than he did.
    “You needn’t worry, Mr. Pendragon,” she said, rediscovering her voice. “There will be no child.”
    He frowned. “And why is that?”
    “Because I am barren.” She gazed toward the window and stared half-seeing at a weak shaft of light reflecting against the pane.
    “Are you certain?”
    Painfully embarrassed at having to discuss such a delicate, private matter, her head snapped around. “Quite certain. In the five years of my marriage I never conceived. My husband had three daughters from a previous marriage. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which one of us was at fault.”
    For a moment he had the grace to look chastened. “My regrets.”
    “Keep them,” she tossed back. “Given our impending arrangement, my inability to conceive a child would appear to be a blessing.”
    He stood and came around his desk again. “So, we are agreed then?”
    His cool green eyes regarded her the way a panther might its prey. Large and supremely male, he loomed over her despite the space separating them. She suppressed the need to tremble, aware of him in a way she didn’t believe she’d ever before been aware of a man.
    Was she truly prepared to place herself within his power? Inwardly she quaked at the thought. How would it be to let him touch her, kiss her, to give him the right to take her body?