Rescuing Mr. Gracey Read Online Free PDF Page A

my words. After one dance with her, you will stink like the village.”
    Do not allow him advantage. Stay calm. “’Tis harmless. I am going.”
    “As a sponsor of the earl, you must heed my advice and give your time exclusively to his designs.”
    Disgust churned his stomach like overcooked stew. “You are wrong, sir! I belong to no one, most especially to you.” He clasped his arms behind his back, and angry fire twitched his fisted hands.
    Bender’s clothing dripped with sweat as the effort to match Alec’s stride overexerted his physical stamina. “Sir. To put it bluntly, this woman is not to be your mistress. To do so would get her killed.”
    Alec’s legs stretched longer and longer lengths from the man who sorely needed a thrashing.
    “If you are so foolhardy, I adamantly insist you find a dark corner and toss her back when you’re done…”
    As if slammed into a hard wall, Alec jerked to a stop. His jaw locked in a clench. “She is not a tavern wench, you offensive, vulgar excuse for a man.” Alec could not remember ever having this kind of anger, this kind of black hatred. “I never treat any lady in such a vile manner. I certainly would not do so with Miss Smyth.”
    Bender’s mouth dropped, trembling a little. “Hold on, kind sir. No need to get so vexed.” Red brows frowned with astonishment. “Good heavens, everyone knows that the word ‘lady’ and ‘Catholic’ are not compatible. That Lily creature is as cheap as a dirty blanket, and your girl would likely do anything for a piece of cheese.”
    Raising his fisted hand toward the man, Alec leaned forward. Bender stumbled back. “Mary Smyth is both educated and well-mannered. A lady I would put up against most whom I have encountered this year past.”
    James’s cheeks splotched an unhealthy crimson. “Lady? Did you see her dress?” His voice, but a puzzled whisper, softened further. “Did you see her hands? She is no lady.”
    Alec grabbed James, lifting him a foot from the ground. “Shut your foul mouth,” he roared, shaking him. “After your insulting and threatening behavior, she still handled herself with perfect decorum.”
    Distorting to a purplish flush, Bender clawed at Alec’s arms. “Please, sir. Unhand me.”
    The snake represented everything wrong about the nation—arrogance, bigotry, disregard for human beings. Alec heard a satisfying rip on Bender’s vest as he thrust the man away.
    He had to escape from the stench of prejudice. Nearly jogging, Alec was relieved to see the top of Gracey Manor. He ignored the sound of Bender gasping for air behind him.
    “I attempt only to relay accurate information, but, of course, I also worry when you get such strange notions.” Bender huffed behind, wheezing with an effort to keep up. “I…I express regret for my language. I am, however, determined to protect your campaign and your family. You know what the earl can do to your father.”
    A hot, heavy blanket of mental exhaustion slowed his gait. Bender caught up and took advantage with strategic and very logical assaults. “You have been away and may not realize how despised the Gracey name is among the natives in this area. If it were discovered that you attended the dance, the conservative support will disintegrate.”
    They rounded the last street before Gracey Hill. Alec could not remember a more torturous journey.
    “And…should the earl learn of it…well, you read your father’s letter…the mill, your home, all that the earl has financed, will be gone. Whispers of such an association will destroy your father.”
    Damnation. Obligation squeezed his pounding head.
    “I understand you are a sympathetic man. That is one of the reasons the earl chose you. However, in this instance, those emotions are misplaced.” Heaving for air, he placed his chubby hand upon his side before continuing. “The Papists suffer poverty because drunken fathers waste the family income and force their children to beg. Though aid runs