My Wicked Marquess by Gaelen Foley Read Free Book Online

viscountess. Some in Society might make her feel unworthy, but her lower birth had never mattered to Papa.
    As a couple, the two could not have been more opposite. Papa was as easygoing as Penelope was high-strung.
    An English gentleman down to his fingertips, Viscount Starling was so secure in his well-aged title and considerable fortune that he had never been particularly impressed by others’ rank or wealth, or put off by the lack of either. He took people as they came, and had taught Daphne to do likewise.
    â€œTruly, George, I shall never understand why you did not insist that she marry Lord Albert! Think of the advantage he could have brought to our family! He is a second son—if the elder brother dies, she might have had a chance to be a duchess!”
    â€œPenelope, for heaven’s sake! Young Holyfield may not look much of a duke, but certainly, he is alive and well.”
    â€œAlive, yes, but I’d hardly call him well. Poor, frail, pasty little poppet. I swear he is consumptive! I’m sure LordAlbert would have made a far more splendid duke than his elder brother, in any case. Oh, but it’s past worrying over now. The chance is lost!”
    â€œThe chance to have my daughter profit by some poor fellow’s death?” Lord Starling asked dryly at his second wife’s dramatics. “Come, Penelope. Daphne saw through that arrogant buffoon from the start, and now that Lord Albert has shown his true colors, spreading these rumors about her, I applaud my daughter’s wisdom all the more.”
    â€œThe rumors—oh, George!—you aren’t thinking of calling him out?” Penelope declared with a sudden gasp.
    Daphne’s eyes widened.
    â€œWoman, don’t be daft!” he said dismissively. “I’m much too old for that. Besides, no Starling lord has ever engaged in silly duels.”
    â€œGood! I just hope you will not rue the way you have let her run wild.”
    â€œWild?” he echoed in a quizzical tone. “My Daphne? The girl does not have a wild bone in her body. Daphne is a lady, through and through.”
    â€œWhat is that supposed to mean?” Penelope snapped. “You reproach me because I never went to a finishing school!”
    â€œNo, no—”
    â€œJust because I am not as highborn as your first wife does not make me or my daughters count for less—”
    â€œMy dear, I meant nothing of the kind!”
    â€œWell, if by ‘a lady’ you are referring to your daughter’s expensive mode of life, I cannot disagree with you on that point. We cannot afford her, George! We have to find the girl a rich husband who can pay for all these ball gowns and party dresses, theater gowns and fripperies and modistes! And then there is her charity! She gives half of our money away to the poor!”
    â€œNow, now, there you go, exaggerating again. It’s only gold, anyway.”
    â€œOnly gold?” she cried, aghast. “Oh, but you have never known poverty, George.” She let out a sudden sob, and it sounded surprisingly genuine. “I know that we will end up in the poorhouse!”
    â€œTut, tut, my dear, there is no need for tears.” Through the doorway, Daphne saw her gray-haired papa go over to his wife and embrace her fondly. “I know you suffered much after Captain Peckworth died, but those days are long behind you now. I promise, you and the girls are quite safe. Come, now. I told you not to worry. Markets go down, but they always go back up again. We will be just fine.”
    â€œYes, I know, but—oh, my nerves cannot take it, George! Truly, they cannot!”
    â€œLet me send for one of the servants to bring you some tea.”
    â€œThey’re all useless.” Penelope sniffled. “Very well.”
    Realizing her father was about to come out of the room, Daphne swiftly withdrew into her own chamber a few doors down the hallway. Embarrassed by their discussion of