A Scandalous Publication by Sandra Heath Read Free Book Online Page A

referring to Max Talgarth as a mere mouse.”
    “You’re only saying all this because I’m your cousin and you cannot stomach the fact that I’ve become his mistress.”
    “Oh, I admit that that does make your fall from grace a little difficult to accept, but I’m not acting out of malice, I’m acting out of concern because you are my cousin and I want even at this late point to try to make you see him for what he really is.”
    “I refuse to believe anything you say about him.”
    “Really? Well, that does surprise me, for you were eager enough once to believe what was said of him. Indeed, as I recall it, you were positively thrilled by the stories of his wickedness. It excited you to think that he’d killed three men in duels, and you were attracted like a pin to a magnet by his reputation with women. You didn’t care at all that he was on the point of marrying Anne; in fact, you sank so low as to try to take him from her. You were, and still are, the most conniving, spiteful, immoral creature it has ever been my misfortune to know, but God help me, you’re still my cousin, and for that reason alone I sought you out today to try to make you see sense. This Westington business must surely make some impression upon you.” There was a pause as Sylvia was quite evidently faced with Judith’s stubborn refusal to accept anything she’d been told. “Oh, very well, think as you please. You’re a lost cause, Judith Taynton, and you were even before you fell under Max Talgarth’s spell. I wash my hands of you.” Flicking her pale-pink skirts, she picked up her books and walked away, her patent-leather shoes tap-tapping angrily across the floor. She slammed the outer door so loudly that it momentarily silenced the low buzz of background conversation from all the other people using the library.
    Judith remained where she was, and for a dreadful moment Charlotte thought her presence had been detected, but then she too walked out, closing the door much more softly behind her.
    Slowly and very shakily, Charlotte got to her feet, leaning her hands weakly on the table and bowing her head, which was spinning with confused thoughts. Sylvia’s voice seemed to echo close by: “Forget what George Wyndham meant to you and think instead what he signified to Max….”
    “He was the obstacle between Max and Kimber Park. Max had long coveted that estate, Judith. He’d tried on a number of occasions to purchase it, but George Wyndham wouldn’t countenance selling….”
    “Just think, another convenient ‘accident,’ and dear Max gets exactly what he wants. Oh, I admit that he offered a very handsome sum to the grieving family, but it doesn’t alter the fact that in the end he gained the prize he had desired for so very long, and in Max’s eyes, the end always justifies the means…justifies the means…justifies the means….”
    In something of a daze, she walked slowly from the library, the three volumes of Glenarvon clutched tightly in her hands. In the doorway, she halted in sudden surprise, for the warm sunshine had gone and a heavy spring shower had taken its place. People were hurrying by, umbrellas aloft, and already there were puddles in the gutters.
    A carriage was passing, but it drew to a sudden halt by her and the solitary occupant lowered the glass. “Good morning, Miss Wyndham, may I be of assistance?”
    She found herself staring into Max Talgarth’s piercing blue eyes.
     

Chapter Five
     
    He alighted, ignoring the rain. He had on a dark-brown coat and beige trousers, and there were spurs at the heels of his Hessian boots. Removing his top hat, he inclined his head. “May I convey you anywhere in this rain, Miss Wyndham?”
    She was so shocked to see him again, especially after all that she’d just heard, that she froze, quite unable to reply.
    Her reaction puzzled him. “Are you all right?”
    She found her tongue then. “Yes, quite all right. Thank you.”
    “Is there any assistance I can offer