Further Than Passion by Cheryl Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

triumph!
    "What are your plans for Lord Stamford?" she queried. "It's obvious you had no effect on him yesterday."
    "Was that my fault?"
    "As he mistook a servant to be you, whose fault would you imagine it to be?"
    "Kate's. She was absolutely flaunting herself at him. You were there; you saw her. If she'd been more reticent, none of this would have happened. You'll speak to her, won't you?"
    Regina definitely intended to talk to Kate about her forwardness. It was a topic about which she frequently chided. Kate was afflicted with many of her mother's wors t trait s — w illfulness, pride, intractabilit y — a nd was more striking than a woman ought to be.
    Alt h ough Kate didn't perceive it, men were drawn to her, which was the main reason Regina had her conceal her h air. An unsuspecting gentleman could be lured to ruin, and Regina wasn't about to allow Kate to wreak the havoc her mother had instigated. Not when she was residing under Regina's roof and her conduct could reflect badly on Mela n ie or Christopher.
    "Yes, I will admonish her, bu t in the   interim, you must put your own house in order. Stamford is to visit this evening, so I ask you again: How will you impress him?"
    "I won't." She stuck her snooty nose up in the air. " I hate him. He's a brute, and I shan't have him for a husband."
     
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    "You have no say in the matter. You'll wed whomever I select, and you'll wed him gladly."
    "I will not. I'm marrying someone who loves me, and it won't be that cruel, vicious creature. He has a heart of stone."
    "Be silent. I can't abide your romantic drivel."
    Melanie appeared mutinously ready to expound, and luckily, they were saved from an argument by Kate's knock.
    "You'll discipline her, won't you, Mother? For wrecking my debut?"
    "You're worried about Kate when your own actions have been abominable. Go to your room, and don't emerge until you are prepared to specify the ways in which you will charm Lord Stamford."
    "I won't do it, I tell you. I won't!"
    Regina' s temper sparked. She rose and walked over until they were toe-to-toe, and Regina towered over her.
    "Not another word, you ungrateful wretch."
    "Or what? Will you beat me? Send me to bed without supper?"
    "Don't think you're too grown-up to be punished."
    "You always suppose that you can force me into anything. But not this time. I don't care if we traveled so far. I don't care if I shame you. I won't accept a proposal from him."
    Regina slapped her, and she stumbled and lurched to the side, catching herself before she fell to the floor.
    "You will not disrespect me!" Regina bristled. "Not when I've worked so hard to garner this invitation to arrange your future." Kate knocked more quietly, an indication that she'd heard their quarrel, and Regina
     
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    was even more furious. "Get out!" she hissed. "I'm sick of you."
    Sniffling tears, and clutching her reddened cheek, she rushed out. Kate murmured about new dresses being delivered from the seamstress, but the information didn't slow her.
    Looking distressed, Kate watched her race down the hall, but she wouldn't comment. Early on, she'd learned that what transpired between Regina and her children was none of Kate's affair.
    She entered and shut the door, comprehending that she was in for a dressing-down, and Regina couldn't wait to dispense it. Kate had never come to grips with the fact that circumst a nces had laid her low. She carried on as though she were the Queen, as though her father still ruled at Doncast e r, as though her veins didn't flow with the tainted blood of her crazed parents.
    Lest she forget he r insignificant status, Regina had to constantly remind her of it.
    "Well," Regina began, "what have you to say for yourself?"
    "I have no explanation for Lord Stamford's behavior."
    At least she wouldn't pretend she was unaware of why they'd convened for the appointment. "I consisten tl y warn . you about making a spectacle of yoursel f . Are you eager to be deemed a whore like your mother?"
    "You