Betrayed by Arnette Lamb Read Free Book Online

solicitor. The duke has threatened to take the matter before the House of Lords. He advises that we send Richmond a token payment.” Lifting her eyes, she settled a pleasant gaze on Michael. “You must cashier yourself out of the career we bought for you.”
    Aghast, Michael blurted, “I repaid you long ago.” He’d also left the army the day he joined the Complement.
    â€œRepaid us?” Her laughter trilled to the ceiling.“You mean those small sums you sent? Were they not gifts to me? I put the money in the poorbox, since I had no need of more carrying-around money at the time.”
    Carrying-around money? For six years, he’d dutifully sent home half his pay. He’d been an angry youth, determined to make something of himself. When dangerous missions arose, he stepped forward to earn advancement. The more perilous the assignment, the greater his reward. Now he knew why she had not acknowledged receipt of the money; she had not valued his contribution.
    â€œWe even recommended you to lead the Complement.”
    A lie. He’d earned his original appointment through bravery in a bloody quagmire on the plains of Madras. Command of the Complement was decided only by secret ballot of the members. First officership of the Complement could not be bought, which is why Michael had wanted it.
    Tonight another leader would be chosen. Michael was ready to hand over the reins. His mother’s summons had provided a perfect opportunity to put the soldiering life behind him. He had not expected her to ask him for money. What he had envisioned from her was so far off the mark, he’d as soon forget his sentimental expectations.
    A sarcasm gripped him. “No man could ask for a more notable family than the Elliots.” Unless he was a Borgia or a Medici.
    â€œWe are fortunate in that,” she purred. “Which is why I disapproved of that MacKenzie girl from the start. She has a lot of brass, even for one who isbastard born. She was fortunate to attract Henry’s eye.”
    â€œI doubt that, Mama. She’s lovely.”
    She gave a casual shrug, but eyed him like a charmer watching a puffed-up cobra. “In a countrified way.”
    Proclaiming Sarah’s elegant beauty to be provincial was like calling the maharajah’s palace in Bombay a rustic hunting lodge. The comparison was so absurd, no comment came to mind.
    â€œI’m sure it’s an imposition, but could you perhaps find the wherewithal to rid her of that dowry? If your wits fail, then woo her. I’m certain Henry wouldn’t mind, unless you turn base and—and—ruin her for the marriage bed.”
    Woo Sarah for deceitful ends? Did his mother truly expect him to stoop to dishonoring a lady? He’d been on his own too long. For much of his life Michael had forgotten he even had a brother. Three years separated them. They had not been tutored together. Henry had been sent to foster with the duke of Argyll; Michael had been kept at the country estate. The vicar’s son had been his tutor. He’d been away from both family and country for so many years, he couldn’t summon a single tie to bind him either to the woman who had borne him or to the brother who administered the Elliot estates.
    How could Michael be expected to woo, for what amounted to profit, the woman his brother had chosen? It went against all propriety. It also offended him to his soul.
    His mother eyed him appraisingly. “You do favor your father’s people, and all of them have a way with women.”
    Michael hadn’t known his father. The earl’s twice-yearly visits to Fife had been brief and formal. He’d died three years after Michael shipped out to India. Word of the death had come to Michael by formal announcement. The notice, sent through the ordinary post, had reached him months after the funeral.
    â€œDo attend me, Michael. We’ve no time to lose. You must woo her in Henry’s