A Lesson in Pride by Jennifer Connors Read Free Book Online

the years. He'd had relationships that lasted from a few days to a few weeks. On too many occasions, his rendezvous lasted no more than one evening. He had never experienced any regret over his liaisons. Never had an occasion to feel guilty or remorseful. And he didn't this time either. What he did feel, though, was different. As if something was left incomplete, unfinished.
     
    Blaming it on the strange circumstances, Grant made his way to Drake's bedroom. Once there, he found Nigel and Robert slumped in chairs, breathing heavily.
     
    “I see you were able to get him into bed,” Grant stated, coming around the bed to inspect the other two men's work.
     
    “It took you long enough, Montgomery. Have you any idea how heavy that bastard was?”
     
    Turning a gimlet eye toward his friend, Grant remained quiet. What could he say? Oh, sorry, old chap, it took longer than I thought to divest your only daughter of her virginity. No, he would never explain himself to this man. Not now, not ever.
     
    Instead, Grant asked, “What now?”
     
    Nigel shook his head. “We had better leave. I assume that you left sufficient proof on the bedsheets.”
     
    An uncomfortable churning started in Grant's stomach. He saw his disgust mirrored on young Robert's face. Clearly, Robert had no wish to hear any particulars of what had occurred between Grant and Alysanne. No more than Grant was willing to provide them.
     
    “You need not worry, Nigel. The scene will be convincing enough.” Swallowing the bile that had crept into his throat, Grant made his way to the door.
     
    “Good enough, then,” Nigel responded, falling in behind his friend as the three men made their way back to the party downstairs.
     
    ********
     
    Ginny finished off the bottle of champagne, then enjoyed her buzz as she watched the fire. Should she feel dirty? The part of her that was Ginny thought so. The part that was still Alysanne was smiling from ear to ear. The storyline was before her, obvious and predictable, but something made Ginny uneasy. It had never been this easy before, so why should it be this time. It shouldn't of course, and something bad was going to happen.
     
    On the other hand, what could be worse than the possibility of having sex with Franklin Drake? Beyond his reputation for cruelty was his manner and appearance. Ginny shivered just thinking about his breath. The whole business would have been painful and humiliating.
     
    Pushing aside the thought of Drake, Ginny focused on what she knew. Her memories had nothing flattering about Alysanne's father, Nigel. He was an opportunistic son of a bitch who thought only of himself. With Robert, the apple hadn't fallen far from the tree. Alysanne had been used and abused the whole of her life. Finally, she could have some revenge.
     
    Ginny was fairly certain that Nigel expected his daughter to support him and his lax lifestyle. Although she was only eighteen, because she had married and was the dowager countess of Essex, she was in control of her own life. It would be Ginny who received the twenty thousand pounds, not her father. It would be Ginny who got five thousand a year to use as she wished. Nigel no longer had control over her. Had she remained Alysanne, he might have been able to exert his influence. But Alysanne wasn't quite herself anymore, and Ginny was not so forgiving when it came to selfishness.
     
    A smile came to her face as the room swam around a bit. She should go to sleep. She needed to prepare herself for the spot of acting she would have to perform in the morning when Drake's valet found him dead. Should she cry? No, they were married less than twenty-four hours and everyone knew it was not a love match. She probably shouldn't smile, though. That might not look appropriate.
     
    Ginny made her way to the other side of the bed. No need to sleep on her evidence. Pulling the bedclothes up to her chin, Ginny snuggled underneath. One other thing occurred to her before she let