A Scandalous Proposal by Julia Justiss Read Free Book Online

“—he did not relent. Where he is, and what he is doing now, I neither know nor wish to know.”
    She realized she was gripping her cup so tightly the fragile handle was likely to break, and she loosened her hold. A demand that she give up her son had been her father-in-law’s only reply to her frantic message, but his Inquisitive Lordship didn’t need to know that. The less he knew of her, the less he might divulge in careless gossip at his club.
    Cheverley was gazing at her thoughtfully. “Have you been in London long? I wonder I’ve not met you before.”
    â€œI returned to England only a few months ago.”
    â€œBut—that means you remained abroad for years after your husband’s death! How did you manage?”
    â€œWhen he was wounded I took him to the closest town, a small Portuguese village. He’d taken a ball in the lung and there was no doctor to remove it. He lingered for a time before…Well, I had done some painting, and after…it was over, the local lord, Don Alvero, commissioned me to do a portrait. It pleased him, and he was kind enough to recommend me to other nobles. Eventually I amassed sufficient funds to return to England and open my shop.”
    â€œAlone, unprotected, a new widow in a war-torn country?” Cheverley shook his head in wonderment. “Madame, I’m appalled! ’Twas exceeding dangerous, was it not?”
    She smiled at the dismay on his face. “On, no! The villagers were wonderful to us. As the widow of an English hero who died fighting the French invaders, I was everywhere treated with the utmost respect. And I wasn’t alone. Francesca has been with me since I arrived as a bride.”
    â€œYou are the most courageous woman I’ve ever met,” he said flatly, awe and respect in his voice. “The English lady who stayed behind to nurse her dying husband. I expect you became nearly a legend.”
    She shrugged uncomfortably. “Hardly that.”
    â€œA legend,” he repeated softly. “And no wonder. I have trouble myself believing you’re real.” Slowly, as if he couldn’t help himself, he reached a hand toward her. “You are so very beautiful.”
    She forced herself not to flinch from the warmth of his gloveless fingers when they touched her cheek. “Be assured I am quite real,” she replied somewhat unsteadily. “And safe, thanks to you.”
    She thought for a moment he might kiss her, and swallowing hard, closed her eyes. But he removed his hand, and relieved, she looked back at him.
    His fingers were trembling, as if he were holding himselfunder rigid control. “And so you shall remain. I spoke with Mr. Manners late this afternoon, and he’s already amassed quite a dossier on the, ah, enterprising Mr. Harding. Indeed, so full was his account of that gentleman’s activities that I’m told the man was moved to book passage on a ship leaving next week for the Americas.”
    Before she could thank him yet again, he waved her to silence. “His master is under scrutiny as well. Even if Mr. Harrington is indeed involved, I doubt he’d be foolish enough now to find another tool to implement his illegal designs. Though we plan to continue the surveillance another few weeks, to be sure all danger is past, I think you may feel safe in truth.”
    â€œI cannot adequately express my thanks for all your efforts. Indeed, your consideration quite overwhelms me! You must allow me to reimburse your expenses. I could not cover them all immediately, of course, but—”
    â€œOut of the question!” He held up both hands, as if warding off the suggestion. “Dear lady, under no circumstances whatsoever could I take your money. Knowing you are safe is reward enough.”
    He would not take her money. As the full implications of those words sank into consciousness, Emily barely heard the rest. Could she not leave it at that? Oh, how