Kaleidoscope: A Regency Novella by Hannah Meredith Read Free Book Online Page A

a lightning strike through his body. “I do have one question,” he said. His voice was uncommonly husky. “Why did you ask me to do this and not one of the men who sent you flowers?” He didn’t want to point out that with their gifts, these men had already taken the first step in what they obviously hoped was a dance leading to the bedroom. He tried to make the question sound like an afterthought. Luke didn’t want her to realize how important the answer was to him. He hoped she had not chosen him because of his disreputable reputation. He would hate for her to have such a poor opinion of him.
    “I like you,” she said. “I feel comfortable with you. I thought if I surrendered my virginity to anyone, I’d be happiest if it were you.”
    Luke stopped by the drawing room door and gave Carolyn a smart bow. “Then I thank you, dear lady, for the almost honor.”
    After that, there was nothing else to say. But as he walked from Mrs. Rydell’s house, Luke felt light of spirit. He smiled as he thought of how surprised society at large would be if they knew that he’d just done the right thing to his own loss. The shock would probably kill some of the grandes dames of the ton. It was a good thing his actions would always remain a secret.
       
    Carolyn artfully spread the letters from the solicitor across the desktop. She wanted to make sure Gerald could see at least part of what was written on the papers, but she didn’t want to make it too easy for him to read. The idea of his getting a cramp in his neck as he tried to take surreptitious peeks pleased her.
    Lord Lucien’s response to her needs had exceeded her expectations. Within twenty-four hours, he’d written that she had nothing to fear and had included comments from a solicitor that made reference to specific statutes. These latter pages were what she had strewn on her desk.
    Gerald had quickly answered her note, so he was no doubt expecting some sort of capitulation. Most likely the reinstatement of the stipend she’d originally granted him. Carolyn smiled at the idea. That would never happen.
    “Lord Kelton to see you,” Perkins announced.
    “Please show him in here,” Caro said. She comfortably seated herself behind the desk and look up expectantly when Gerald entered. “Have a seat, Gerald.” She waved a hand in the direction of the two chairs facing the desk. “This should take only a minute, but I thought it best if we met face-to-face to go over the problem you brought to my attention when we last spoke.”
    Gerald smirked as he crossed the room and sat down. Carolyn had thought his threat was intended to frighten her, but it was possible that the man truly believed he had the upper hand. His expression seemed to indicate this was the case.
    “I’ve spoken with my solicitor,” she said without preamble, “and have been assured that there is no reason that my marriage to your uncle could be invalidated.” She tapped her finger on the papers on the desk to draw attention to them.
    “That’s absurd! We both know Uncle Charles was impotent.” He reached to turn one of the papers on the desk in his direction. Caro placed a hand on the page and pulled it toward her instead.
    “I’ve also been informed that if your repeating this gossip is seen to have a negative effect on the contracts Rydell Shipping has with the government, I could sue you for malicious slander. With the failures of so many banks in the recent panic, the courts are anxious to limit the areas of commerce with difficulties, and they wouldn’t want to call into question the ownership of one of the larger shipping companies. I see no possibility your lawsuit would prevail. So your wisest move would be to keep quiet and act like I’m a well-loved aunt.”
    With satisfaction, Carolyn watched the blood surge into Gerald’s face. She shouldn’t take such delight in angering him, but it seemed only fair after he’d spent the last year making life difficult for her.
    “You