Miss Grantham's One True Sin (The Regency Matchmaker Series Book 2) by Melynda Beth Andrews Read Free Book Online

were inflicted upon you with no one to shield you. It was not my intention.”
    She threw him a quick, grateful smile. “Thank you, but tea was not the horrible ordeal you imagine.” She gave him a piercing gaze. “I learned a great deal.”
    “Miss Grantham, I suspect you always learn a great deal, in every situation.”
    She nodded and lowered her gaze for a moment before saying, "I was not aware that you had so recently inherited, my lord. I am sorry for your loss." As she said this, she noted the Viscount's lack of mourning clothes. Something was terribly amiss here. "The wounds must still be fresh," she probed.
    "Yes. Well. With an estate, three little girls, and an army of angry creditors thrust upon me, I have not had the time to grieve."
    "And the girls ... ?"
    The new tea-tray arrived He waited until the maid had withdrawn and then leaned forward. "Miss Grantham, I see no reason to stand on formality. On the contrary, considering our situation, you and I need to be rather ... intimate. If we are to deceive everyone successfully, we have a great deal to learn about each other and a devilishly short time in which to learn it, so you will forgive my speaking bluntly."
    "I was not aware that either of us had thus far been anything but blunt. Do you ever express yourself in any other manner, my lord?"
    He thought for a moment and then nodded. "When the situation calls for it, I can be quite ... indirect, indeed." He sighed. "But this is not one of those times."
    "Do go on."
    He sipped his tea thoughtfully. "The truth is that my late brother and his wife were enamoured of London and all its delights. When not there, they spent months at house parties. They were never seen in Trowbridge above three times a year, and then for as little time as they could manage. They thought it, in their words, ‘exceedingly dull.’ They saw little of me and even less of their own children. So you see, you must not pity my nieces or expect them to express any sorrow at their parents' passing, Miss Grantham, for they cannot mourn what they never knew."
    "I do see," she murmured. How perfectly horrible!
    "And now ... about us."
    "Us?” She swallowed reflexively.
    "Where and when did we meet?"
    "Why ... yesterday, my lord. In the library."
    He laughed. "No ... where did we meet? In London? At a ball or musicale, perhaps?"
    "Ah." She nodded, catching on. He was getting down to the business of constructing a false backstory. Their backstory. "I believe we met in Hyde Park. I was strolling and lost my bonnet in a strong wind. You kindly retrieved it, galloping after it on your horse."
    "Indeed. And we met in the park every day after?"
    She nodded. "I was staying at my good friend Mrs. Robertson's home, which is near the park. It was April, and the weather was fine. Then in May you escorted me to Astley's Amphitheatre."
    He shook his head. "Do you not mean the opera? It is widely known I detest Astley's."
    She nodded. "I shall remember."
    "When did we become engaged?"
    "We have had an understanding since midsummer. Late June. Neither of us can recall the exact date. But there has been no official announcement. That will occur after my parents arrive."
    He rubbed his chin. "Mmm ... no. I think we should send a notice to The Morning Post right away."
    "Why?" she asked.
    His eyes flicked to the floor, and he pressed his full lips together before he looking up at her quite pointedly and smiling. Still, he did not speak, and Marianna couldn't help feeling his manner a little guilty. "My lord?" she prompted him.
    He tipped his head rakishly to the side then, and his flawed eyebrow rose suggestively as he said, "Well . . .” He rose and held out his hand to her.
    Reflexively, Marianna placed her hand in his, for that is what a lady did when a gentleman held out his hand. That is what she had been taught, and that is what she did, for Marianna was a lady.
    But True Sin was no gentleman.
    Pulling her to her feet and close against him, he caressed the