Sweet Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page B

from Egypt, the shock of Edward’s death, the weeks of debauchery caught up with him all at once.  His equilibrium vanished, and he couldn’t keep his balance.
    They stared and stared, but Duncan had always been a cool customer, which was why he was such a good gambler.  Nothing rattled him, and though Jackson could intimidate even the most obstinate person, his glower had no effect on Duncan.
    They were too well acquainted, had brawled extensively as children, and neither of them was afraid of the other.
    Jackson relented first.  "You don’t think she’s lying?  Or you know she’s not lying?"
    "I know she’s not lying," Duncan softly muttered.  "Dammit!  I can’t believe this!" 
    There was a decanter of liquor on the table next to him, and he picked it up and hurled it at the fireplace.  It smashed into a dozen pieces, large shards flying across the floor and embedding in the priceless rug.
    "Do you feel better now?" Jackson caustically asked.
    "No, actually, I don’t."  He went to the window and gazed out to the road again.  He was miserable, lost in thought. 
    Jackson let him fume and worry. 
    When he turned, he said, "It was a joke.  It was a…"  He flung up his hands, unable to find the proper words.  "No, it wasn’t a joke, but it was stupid and reckless, and he proceeded anyway.  I couldn’t stop him."
    "Couldn’t stop him from what?" Jackson furiously inquired.
    "He met a pretty girl, fell in love, and married her."
    "Don’t jest about this."
    "I’m not, and it appears they had a child."
    "Shut up," Jackson said. 
    "Did you talk to the boy?"
    "The boy was…here?"
    "Yes, and he’s the spitting image of Edward.  Anyone who sees him will realize the truth.  It will be impossible to hide it."
    "What would I hide ?  She’s an imposter, spreading vicious rumors."
    "No, she’s not, and the boy is bold as brass.  He walked right up to me and announced that Edward is his father.  They’re on their way to the village, and once they arrive, they will—"
    "What’s his name?" Jackson cut in, weary of Duncan’s theatrics.
    "Michael Scott."
    Jackson gasped.  "He’s taken our last name?"
    "His parents were married!" Duncan spat as if Jackson was a dunce.  "Of course, he’s taken your last name.  Why wouldn’t he?"
    "You’re claiming Edward wed this woman?"
    "I’m not claiming.  I’m flat-out telling you what happened.  His wedding to Georgina was probably six months before his wedding to Susan."
    "When he married Susan, he was already married?  Michael was born first—before Percival?"
    "Most likely, yes.  I was so stunned that I didn’t ask his date of birth."
    "You’re the only one who ever knew.  Is that what you’re saying?"
    "Except for Grace Bennett.  She wasn’t aware of Edward’s true identity, but she knew about the marriage."
    "Edward lied in order to induce a common girl to wed him?"
    "There was nothing common about her."
    "Oh. I’m sure there wasn’t," Jackson scoffed.  "With his society wedding to Susan quickly approaching, Edward totted off and wed the girl of his dreams?"
    "Yes."
    "Seriously?  Perfect, honorable, dependable Edward behaved that way?"
    "He pretended to be a businessman who traveled frequently."
    "How did he explain his marriage to Susan?  Georgina couldn’t have been too happy about it."
    "He didn’t explain—he was too much of a coward—but guilt ate him alive."
    "Guilt, really."
    "He had me send her a letter, informing her that he…he died in an accident."
    "An accident?"
    "He had me embellish a bit so she wouldn’t expect to visit his grave—or your mother."
    "Embellish?"
    "I told her he’d been buried in France…and that Beatrice…well…"
    "My brother did that to a woman he supposedly loved?"
    "He wasn’t a total ass.  He provided for her.  She had a house and a stipend."
    "How magnanimous of you both."
    "You don’t know how it was," Duncan mumbled. 
    "Obviously."
    "Edward was distressed over you and Susan and your