The Love List Read Online Free PDF Page A

a few pointed barbs at Marstoke on her way, and showing that she possessed grit and backbone and fire.  Beyond the initial surprise of his arrival, she hadn’t needed him at all.
    How novel.  Such independence piqued his interest even more than her delicate beauty.
    “But you needed mine, didn’t you?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.  “How fortunate that the ruin of my life could become so useful to you.”
    So she’d heard.  And she had a right to be indignant.  He’d used her misfortune to further his own ends, treating her nearly as callously as Marstoke. 
    He gave a little bow to acknowledge the truth of her accusation.  “Perhaps I should be the one to apologize, then.”
    She gave a bitter laugh.  “There are a hundred girls in this house who would love to have a duke and a marquess vying over her hand.  How disappointed they would be to know that the reality is far nastier than the dream.”
    He stilled, jarred by how closely her words echoed his earlier thoughts.  A wave of empathy crested over him, squeezing the air from his lungs. 
    He brushed it away and focused on the girl.  She looked tired now, and he thought he detected a tremble in her fingers.  “I should offer my thanks, then, as well as my apology.  For the strategy worked brilliantly.  You made a most effective weapon.”
    She blanched.  The shaking of her hands became suddenly pronounced. 
    “I’m sorry.  What is it?”  He wanted to reach out, support her, but feared she would spook.
    “Nothing.  I’m fine.”  She nodded.  Kept nodding until she realized what she was doing.  She stopped and met his gaze, her own gone hard.  “I’ll accept your apology, but only if you promise not to show up on my father’s doorstep with an offer for my hand.  The waters of my life are muddy enough, thank you.”
    He bit the inside of his lip.  “I’ll make it a solemn vow.  No proposals of marriage.”
    “Good.”  She nodded, but her satisfaction almost visibly drained away as her eyes widened.  “Oh, heavens,” she breathed.  “The papers, the gossip—they’ll be merciless when I break off the engagement.”
    Intriguing that she used the word when instead of if .
    “And it will be so much worse if your name is thrown into the mix.  There will be no chance of a quiet announcement.”  Her expression grew pleading.  “Please, if you just would not breathe a word of this to anyone,” she gestured.  “I won’t and Marstoke likely won’t either, as he doesn’t come off well if the story gets out.”  She shivered.  “I want out.  With a minimum of fuss, your Grace.  I should think I stand a chance of convincing my father if it can be accomplished quietly.”
    “I shall do as you wish, of course.”
    “Papa won’t stand for a scandal.  That’s why it’s best if your name never comes up.  I don’t want people pairing us in their minds, making connections where there are none.  Soon enough they’ll start to think back, trying to recall if they’ve seen us together before.  Things will be remembered that never happened.  A glance.  A dance.  Lies .  And my chance at freedom will be gone.”
    She was beginning to look a bit wild again, so he nodded.  “I won’t breathe a word, Miss Wilmott.  I promise.  No one ever need know a thing about what happened here tonight.”
    She sighed in relief.  “Thank you.”  After a pause she said, “I should tell you that I went down the hall and snagged a footman, earlier.  I sent him for my chaperone before I snuck back here to eavesdrop.”  She said it boldly, unrepentant.  “I don’t think it a wise idea for you to be here when she arrives.”
    “A veritable waterfall of muddy water, that would be,” he agreed.  Her bravery made him feel guilty, and suddenly humble.  “Will you be all right?”
    She nodded.  He couldn’t decipher the expression that crossed her face. 
    “Well, good night, then.” 
    “Goodbye.”  It was