The Lady's Disgrace Read Online Free PDF Page A

The thought energized her, filled her with excitement.
    For some time now, the entire Season had become dull. She’d already spurned most of the suitable gentlemen. Each year she ached for the man who would be her true love, her life partner. She’d thought she’d found it in Redgrave, but apparently not. As much as she hated to admit it, her love hadn’t quite died. Although, deep down inside she was grateful to discover the cad that he was before she married him.
    Redgrave was handsome, charming and obviously a great pretender. As well as a scoundrel. On the other hand, Joseph Fox was an honorable man. Loyal and dependable, and determined to do the right thing. Qualities she’d deemed boring in previous suitors. A lesson learned.
    “Abigail, you look lovely!” Her mother floated into the room in a swirl of dark blue silk.
    “Thank you, Mother.” She rose and closed the distance between them and took her mother’s hands in hers. “Am I doing the right thing?”
    “Oh, my dear. Come, let us sit.”
    Abigail clutched her mother’s hands tightly. That still didn’t stop their shaking. “Should I take this step that will change my life so?”
    “You’ve made a wise decision. I watched Joseph grow from a small boisterous child into a kind, devoted man. He cares deeply for the people of his village and church. He will be true to you. There really isn’t much more to ask for in a marriage. You get along well, and I can see the two of you working toward a goal, accomplishing a great deal.”
    Abigail smiled softly. “I notice you left out love.”
    “Because I didn’t wish you to snap at me,” her mother said wryly, smoothing her skirts.
    “I am determined to eschew love. I will never again put myself into a position where I can be hurt.”
    “Well, dearling, we’ve had this discussion before. In fact, so many times recently that there really isn’t any more to say on the subject. Now it is time to leave for the church. Drake is waiting downstairs to escort you.” She pulled Abigail into her arms in a tight hug. “Be happy, my daughter.”

    Several hours later, Abigail once more glanced at the wedding band on her left hand. She sat across from Joseph, who studied the scenery as their coach rumbled along toward her new home in Addysby End. She twisted the gold and emerald ring around her finger. It was done. She was now Lady Abigail Fox, wife to Rector Joseph Fox. Whether this was the right thing for her to do or not, no longer mattered. She had a new life ahead of her, and she was determined to make the best of it.
    Gathering clouds cast the late afternoon into a gray pallor. They’d been on the road for a few hours, the wedding already a blur in her mind.
    “Are you comfortable enough?” Joseph asked.
    “Yes.”
    The heavy silence hung in the air. They’d already had a stilted conversation about the wedding, the food, and the change of scenery from London to the lovely countryside. Abigail was rarely at a loss for words, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say to her new husband. A moment of panic seized her as she thought of the possibility of years of numbing silence every time she and Joseph were alone.
    They could discuss the school again, but most of the planning had been done, with not much left to consider until they spoke with the contractor who would construct the building.
    She stole a glance at him under her eyelashes. At first he appeared relaxed, but after careful consideration, she realized he held himself stiffly, as if waiting for a blow. No longer able to handle the quietude, she blurted, “Will we be driving straight through?”
    Startled from his musings, Joseph said, “No. There is an inn I’ve stayed at many times before. It is a tad more than half way from London to Addysby End. They have plain, but tasty food and comfortable beds. I’m sure the fare won’t be at all what you are used to, but I’m afraid it is the best we can