Tananguard 02 - To Love a Lord Read Online Free PDF

floors.”
    Sophia’s back stiffened and she glared daggers at Rebecca. “I am no maid . As I said earlier, those days are behind me!”
    “ A good investment made by your father does not raise your station in life. You are still a commoner. Honestly Sarah, what possessed you to bring her kind amongst us?” Lady Cunningham asked.
    Sarah flushed red. “S he is my friend and an excellent player of the pianoforte. Why should it matter if she is a commoner? She is still quite skilled and has provided excellent entertainment for us.”
    Rebecca sighed and began to speak quite patiently as if addressing a child. “But her kind are beneath us. You could easily have found another to play for us instead of one such as her. There are many Ladies among us today who could have performed nicely. Instead, you bring filth into your home.” Rebecca patted Sarah’s shoulder patiently. “You should not feel poorly for the mistake, but I would not let it happen again.” She turned her attention to the group. “Please, everyone, come to my home and allow me to entertain you properly. I believe this party is tainted.” She looked pointedly at Sophia before walking toward the exit.
    The guests began to whisper in agitation amongst themselves. Many began to follow Lady Cunningham to the exit.
    Connor fumed in anger as he stared at Lady Cunningham and the throng of people exiting the room. Even Lucas was leaving the parlor…of course, he looked as though he had ulterior motives. A beautiful woman was guiding him from the room. Lucas looked over at Connor, and Connor shook his head in disgust. Lucas shrugged his shoulders and smiled before slipping from the room.
    Lady Cunningham was stopped at the door , giving words of sympathy to those too confused to understand what was going on and words of encouragement to those too afraid to go against her. She continued shooting warning glances to those who refused to leave as if memorizing each face so she would know who to remove from her list of well-to-do individuals. Then her eyes fell on Connor, a look of surprise replacing her authoritative glare.
    “Mr. Tananguard, aren’t you coming?” she asked.
    “No,” he said bluntly. Why would she think he would follow her? Why did she even care?
    “No?”
    “No, I will not support your ethics in this. Sophia Murrieta is the finest pianist I have ever heard, and we were blessed to hear her play. Your jealousy has tainted this party, not her presence,” he said.
    Several people stopped moving. They were eyeing Rebecca uneasily, but nodding their heads as if they agreed with Connor.
    “Jealously? How dare you?”
    “ I insulted this woman purely by accident, but you took it as an opportunity to completely degrade her. Everyone in this room was awed by her performance, a performance no one here could have equaled. In my opinion, this woman should be playing before the King, not us simpletons! Her past means nothing! Skills such as she has are rare. I would pay money to hear her play again,” he stated loudly. He wanted as many as possible to hear. “But please, you should leave. Your presence indeed has tainted this party.”
    Rebecca Cunningham flushed the darkest shade of red possible, turned on her heel, and stormed out of the parlor.
    The room was silent. Many eyes were on him. He braved a look at Sophia and found her eyeing him with a look he could not read. He half hoped to see adoration on her face from his chivalry in defending her honor. At least he thought he’d been quite chivalrous. Then again, he had caused the problem in the first place. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
    A large hand slapped his back, startling him.
    “Bravo, Connor. I believe you have just insulted one of the most influential women in society,” a deep voice said with a laugh.
    Connor turned a dry smile to Peter. “It seems that way, doesn’t it.”
    Captain Markham grinned at him in amusement and pride.
    Connor suddenly felt very tired. He