Love Me True by Heather Boyd Read Free Book Online Page B

would have been the one the duchess favored. But she seemed inordinately fond of her youngest son, and had thrown daggers with her eyes at Clarry whenever Lord Justin had been otherwise engaged in conversation. Only the occasional brush of his hand across her leg beneath the table had bolstered her flagging spirits.
    She reminded herself constantly that he was the one she had to learn to live with.
    She leaned back and closed her eyes. She’d been such a stupid fool to risk her reputation, to place her faith in the words of a servant about who slept where within this house. Poor Lord Justin, he must be furious with her entrapment. Yet there had been few occasions where she’d sensed true anger. After his initial reaction in his bedchamber, he’d seemed more disappointed with the turn of his life than angry.
    Well, that would have to change. Although she’d made a less than admirable start with him, Clarry would be his wife and she should make an attempt to please him. Her mother had never managed it for her father, he’d remained critical of everything while her mother was around, but Clarry was made of stronger mettle than her mother. She didn’t want that kind of life for herself so she’d try to be exactly what Lord Justin wanted for a wife.
    But what did she know of Lord Justin?
    He was tall, smiled foolishly a lot, and was something of a writer, according to his mother and aunt. He was rather attractive with his wavy brown hair and wide hazel eyes, and he did dress rather splendidly, given he was only a spare. Lord Justin and his brother, Lord Ramsbury, were very different creatures, though, which was why she’d fallen in love with Lord Ramsbury in the first place. When Ramsbury spoke, people listened. Ramsbury generously included those around him, no matter their rank.
    Lord Justin? Well, he was quieter and had visited Devizes infrequently in the past year so she was a little uncertain about his character. What she knew of him came mostly from gossip. In fact, they had hardly spoken in the last year. Clarry snuggled further into the bed as she remembered the afternoon, Lord Justin’s arms wrapped tightly about her body. A tremor ran through her. Perhaps if she encouraged his more amorous inclinations they might make a better go of this marriage. He did make her feel wonderful when they made love.
    A floorboard creaked and Clarry started, finding Lord Justin inches from the bed.
    She pressed her hand over her heart. “Oh, my lord, you scared me.”
    Lord Justin stood straighter. “Forgive me. I thought you had fallen asleep and neglected to snuff the candle. I was merely intending to put it out.”
    Clarry sat up, tucking the covers tightly around her to ward off the chill. “No, not sleeping. I was thinking about today.”
    “Do you mean dinner with my mother and aunt?” He scowled. “We’ve had words already.”
    Aghast to be the source of further discord, Clarry leaned forward to capture Lord Justin’s arm. “The duchess has every right to be angry with me. I should never have behaved so foolishly. I am very sorry for the situation we now find ourselves in.”
    As her hand slid down his arm, he captured her fingers in a loose grip. “So you regret attempting to seduce a married man?”
    “Well, yes, of course I do. I don’t know what I was thinking. I am sorry to have dragged you into this mess.”
    “Not a total mess.” A sudden grin crossed his face then disappeared. “There are some parts of this arrangement that are pleasant.”
    Clarry’s face heated. He was talking about making love. Well, at least she managed to do something right with him. Lord Justin’s eyes dropped low, skimming over the skin of her chest revealed by her loose night gown. The garment was light and comfortable to wear, but also revealed a little more skin than she’d remembered. Lord Justin didn’t appear offended by her state. He leaned forward, brushed her hair over her shoulder, and pressed his lips to the base