Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace Read Free Book Online

footman with showing them to separate bedchambers and ordered their trunks taken upstairs. Despite being assigned individual quarters, her mother trailed into Lana’s chambers. She strolled around the room inspecting every vase and figurine. Holding a crystal glass up to the light, she apparently found no spots and replaced it on the sideboard.
    “You’re an attractive young lady,” her mother said, “and Jake assures me many gentlemen hold you in high esteem. Still, no one calls at home. Young men these days… I fear there is something very wrong with them.”
    Finally, they had discovered common ground.
    A stout maid gathered up the wrinkled dresses and left the room.
    “Take Lord Paddock, for example,” her mother continued.
    Lana flopped on the bed belly first. “Mama, please. I wish to forget all things Paddock related.”
    “And who could blame you?” Her mother stomped her slipper-encased foot. “Poor Miss Bettis. What type of degenerate deflowers a girl barely out of leading strings? Paddock is lucky he escaped castration, in my opinion.”
    “Mama.”
    She flicked her hand. “Oh, please, Lana. You’ve lived in a house with five men. Don’t pretend I have offended your sensibilities.”
    Lana pulled a pillow over her head to cover her ears. If she never heard her former fiancé’s name again, she would be forever grateful. Fresh waves of humiliation and anger washed over her.
    When Lana had confronted Leo and realized the truth of the allegations against him, she’d broken their betrothal on the spot. While she had been prepared for an argument, his attack on her person caught her off guard. Paddock had not been the Quality she had thought him to be. Nevertheless, Lana managed to deflect his blows with a book long enough for Jake and Daniel to storm the room and subdue him.
    Subdue him. Such a mild word to use in connection with Lord Paddock’s injuries.
    Her mother’s weight barely dented the bed as she sat down beside her and hauled the pillow from Lana’s head. “My dear, you’ll find better than the likes of that scoundrel.”
    “And what if I don’t?” Lana’s eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away.
    “Heavens. How can you think such a thing? You are a beautiful young woman.”
    Lana rolled to her back to confront her mother. “Come, Mama. You’ve said more than once that I would be prettier if only I would cover my face.”
    Her mother laughed. “Lana, I’ve said no such thing. You make me sound like a monster. Asking you to wear a hat in the sun does not indicate I find you the least bit lacking in beauty.”
    “You hate my freckles, Mama. You call them an abomination.”
    “ Your freckles are adorable, you foolish girl. Never once have I spoken a bad word against them. If you haven’t noticed, we share similar coloring.” Her mother’s hands fluttered to adjust her hat. “I realize I’ve complained of my own spots in front of you, but I never meant to give the impression I thought you were anything less than perfect the way you are.”
    “I know for a fact I am imperfect. Paddock was kind enough to catalogue my flaws in excruciating details when I cried off.”
    Red spread up her mother’s neck and face like wildfire. “That no-good devil’s spawn. What did he say?”
    Lana refused to meet her eyes. Repeating his insults was too mortifying. “It was nothing.”
    “Well, regardless of whatever misguided thing that blackguard said, he was wrong. A lead ball is too good for him.”
    Lana covered her face. She hadn’t wanted anyone to know of her additional humiliation. Everything else had been bad enough.
    Her mother pulled Lana’s hands from her face and urged her to sit up. “My sweet daughter.” She gathered Lana into her arms and cradled her against her bosom. “Don’t listen to the ramblings of a madman.”
    She felt like a small child again. A lump formed in her chest as she fought back her sadness.
    “You must put your sentiments aside and make