Brandywine: Regency historical romance (The Brocade Series, Book 1) by Jackie Ivie Read Free Book Online Page B

finished coughing.
    “Chaffin is the lucky fellow. Hell, she probably had him strung along in fine style, too. I should’ve known an earl would win her black heart over a simple title,” Gil told him. “But she didn’t have to ruin my life while she was at it.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “I should count myself lucky I didn’t have to fight a duel of honor over their elopement.”
    “Are you speaking to yourself or me?”
    “You know she trapped me, Reg. I couldn’t possibly have sired her child, if she’s even carrying one, because I gave off my attentions months ago.”
    “Then why did you propose to her? Cupid’s arrow hit you?”
    “She blackmailed me! Swore she’d put it out that I’d left her to face ruination. She purported to have love letters as proof. In my handwriting, of all things. Forged, no doubt, from my calling notes. I couldn’t allow a stain like that on the Tremayne name. And you know it. Think of my mother.”
    “But it wasn’t true!”
    “You go prove it, lad. With my reputation, I’m probably lucky no one thought of this scheme earlier.”
    “How does Chaffin fit in?”
    “Suppose she’s got him on the same lie….but he’s slower to take up the bait?”
    “But it was you she was marrying.”
    “True, but I’m a mere baron, Reg. An earl is the greater prize.”
    “You expect me to believe she chose Chaffin over you?”
    “Exactly.”
    “And then what? Left you to face the scandal?”
    “Worse.”
    “Worse?”
    “Much worse. I already said it. She’s ruined my life.”
    “Nonsense. Your life would only be ruined if you had wed Helen.”
    “Don’t press your brain, Reg. You’ll never figure it out. Trust me.”
    “But I saw you wed. It just doesn’t wash. You’re having a joke at my expense, aren’t you?”
    “You want to hear it, or keep guessing?”
    “Oh, I’m all ears, Gil. All. But first, I’ll pour myself some more of this excellent Scotch. I will need another drink, won’t I?”
    Gil chuckled. “More than bloody likely.”

 
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
    “Why, I do believe you’ve got red streaks in your hair, Lady Tremayne.
    Brandy’s back stiffened at the cheerful tone, although she’d been secretly hoping for it. He’d been away for three days, and none of the others did anything except put their hands over their eyes and cry, or over their ears and run. She didn’t know how she was supposed to keep her mind acute with that lot.
    “Curb your honeyed tongue, My Lord. There are ladies present, and you should know how shocked Lady Violet here can be.”
    Gil looked at the flowers Brandy had set on each seat around her tea table and smiled.
    “Well, it’s no use hiding your beauty under a bonnet any longer, love. Lady Violet, and her other acquaintances, are simply going to have to cover their delicate ears if they don’t wish to hear me appreciating it.”
    He moved behind her pansy and placed his hands on either side of it as if blocking ears.
    To her amazement, Brandy laughed. It wasn’t her crazed sound. It was genuine amusement. Oh, but this Gilly was a prize, not to mention easy on the eyes.
    Gillian Tremayne probably had the appetite of a horse, but his pants fit him tightly enough to show fat if it started to settle. Brandy lowered her gaze as she realized that his pants fit very well, and she’d been staring.
    “You don’t think Madame Lily will mind if I set the little dear down, do you?” Gil asked.
    She stifled a giggle as he moved the blossom to the Aubusson carpet and settled onto the seat. The chair creaked, and she held her breath. The thin metal structure had been made for a lady’s boudoir, not for someone Gil’s size. She longed to find the humor in that, but couldn’t. He looked exactly right and probably hadn’t worked at it either, while she suffered.
    Brandy lifted her hands.
    “Do you think, if I act real nice, Luv, that maybe that nice Mrs. Wright would let me out of these bonds?” she asked. “I might like to take a