The Rogue's Return Read Online Free PDF Page A

a wall of sand, already crumbling under the pressure of grief behind it.
    â€œUnless you’re willing to refuse Isaiah,” he said, “we must marry. I promise to be a good husband and I have no doubt that you will be a good wife.”
    She looked up at him, those blue eyes huge and stark. “What does that mean? Good.”
    Why the devil press him on a word? “I will be kind, dependable, and faithful. You may define your goodness as you wish.”
    She flinched at his sharp tone. “I’m sorry. You’re being kind, dependable, and faithful now. Faithful to Uncle Isaiah. But is it really worth shackling yourself in this way to satisfy his whim before he dies?”
    A good question, but Simon meant it when he said, “Yes.”
    â€œAnd if he’s dead already?”
    â€œStill yes.” To persuade her, he’d have to sully her with the truth. “Perhaps you don’t know the cause of the duel.”
    She became wary. Strangely, he saw the instincts of a wild thing, fearful of predators. It had to be a figment of his scattered mind.
    â€œAt the end the duel was over McArthur’s abuse of funds intended for the Indians. However, the initial cause was comments he made to imply that you are not what you seem.”
    She went deathly white.
    He hurried on. “That you are—I’m sorry—Isaiah’smistress. That you live together here in that relationship.”
    Red flooded white. “ What? The swine!”
    â€œQuite. But . . .” He couldn’t think how to say the next part. “He’s not the only one to speculate. I’m sure no one else thinks the worst, but people wonder why you act as you do. They wonder why you have turned down all invitations—”
    â€œI was in mourning!”
    â€œEven a lady in mourning could attend a concert or go on a boating expedition. Especially nine months after the event.”
    â€œAnd if I simply didn’t choose to? There’s a rule about it here, is there?”
    He’d snapped and she’d snapped back.
    â€œPeople simply wonder,” he said as calmly as he could. “And some will always move from wondering to a scandalous explanation. You have to know that healthy single women are in short supply here, yet you’ve ignored all suitors. Why?”
    â€œDo I have to answer that?” She looked and sounded like a prisoner in the dock.
    He rubbed his hand down his face. “No. I’m sorry. It was rhetorical. I simply mean that you’d have been better off to flirt with dozens.”
    She bit her lip, rubbing her hands together anxiously. “I could leave. Go somewhere else.”
    â€œWhere, young and penniless?” They had no time for this. “Come, we must do this thing. We can talk about the future later.”
    She ignored his offered hand. “I won’t be penniless. Uncle Isaiah made me his heiress.”
    Of course, he must have. Was there enough to make her independent? If so, perhaps he shouldn’t compel her to this marriage. Surely even a dying friend’s wish shouldn’t have that power.
    â€œDo you know how much?” he asked bluntly.
    A shift in her expression showed her reluctance to answer. “Enough to get by on. And I can work. As a seamstress. Or open a shop. I know that business.”
    â€œAm I truly such a bitter pill to swallow?”
    She looked stricken. “No. Oh, no! But I don’t know what to do for the best.”
    Her hands went over her mouth again. He pulled them down and held them. “This is for the best. Consider Isaiah’s reputation. It as well as yours will always be under a cloud unless we marry.”
    She swayed and he took her into his arms again, where she lay limp against his chest, held up only by his strength. He didn’t want to bludgeon her, but he must.
    â€œConsider, Jane. Unless we straighten out everything now, you will be in a sorry state. People