On A Wicked Dawn by Stephanie Laurens Read Free Book Online Page A

Realizing our family’s financial straits, she suggested a marriage between us would serve all our ends. She would become my viscountess, and gain the status of married lady, and the family finances would be repaired.”
    â€œAnd what of you?”
    Luc met his mother’s dark eyes. After a moment, he said, “I’m agreeable.”
    She didn’t press for more; she studied his expression, then nodded, and sipped. After a long moment, she met his eyes again. “Am I right in assuming you haven’t told her you’re now fabulously wealthy?”
    He shook his head. “It would create a not-inconsiderable degree of awkwardness—you know how she’d feel. As it is . . .” He stopped himself from shrugging again, picked up his cup, and sipped instead. Prayed his mother would not further pursue his motives.
    She didn’t, not with words, but she let the silence stretch; her gaze, dark, shrewd, and understanding, remained on him—he felt it like a weight. He had to fight not to shift in the chair.
    Eventually, Minerva set her cup on her saucer. “Let’s see if I have this straight. While some men pretend to love or at least to a pretty passion to conceal the fact they’re marrying for money, you propose to pretend you’re marrying for money to conceal—“
    â€œThat’s merely temporary.” He met her eyes, and felt his jaw firm. “I will tell her, but I prefer to choose my own time. Naturally, her confusion will remain entirely between us—as far as society and all others are concerned, we’re marrying for the customary reasons.”
    Minerva held his gaze; a minute passed, then she inclinedher head. “Very well.” Her voice held a note of compassion. She set aside her cup, her expression gentle. “If that is what you wish, I will engage to say nothing that will preempt your revelation.”
    That was the undertaking he’d come there to get; they both understood that.
    He nodded, finished his tea. Minerva leaned back and chatted on inconsequential matters. Eventually, he rose and took his leave of her.
    â€œDon’t forget.”
    He heard the murmur as he reached the door; hand on the knob, he looked back.
    She hesitated; although he couldn’t see it, he sensed the frown in her eyes. Then she smiled. “Dinner at six.”
    He nodded; when she said nothing more, he inclined his head and left.
    Later that evening, they walked into the Mountfords’ ballroom and joined the queue waiting to greet their host and hostess. Beside Minerva, Luc glanced around. The ballroom was fashionably full, but he couldn’t see any head of bouncing golden ringlets.
    Behind him, Emily and Anne were sharing breathless confidences with Anne’s best friend, Fiona Ffolliot. Fiona was a neighbor’s daughter from Rutlandshire; her father’s property adjoined Luc’s principal estate. Fiona had come to London for part of the Season with her widowed father; they were staying with General Ffolliot’s sister in Chelsea. Although well-to-do, the family was not well connected; Minerva had offered to take Fiona about with Emily and Anne, so she could see more, and be seen by more.
    Luc had approved. Having Fiona artlessly breezy beside her gave Anne, always timorous and shy, more confidence and in some measure released Emily, older by a year, from Anne’s side. It seemed likely that Emily would receive an offer from Lord Kirkpatrick at the end of the Season. They were both young, but the match would be a good one, andwas looked upon with favor by both families.
    The line of guests shuffled forward. His mother leaned nearer, lowering her voice so that no one else could hear. “I think our dinner was an unqualified success. A nice way to set the seal on our past affairs.”
    Luc arched a brow. “Prior to burying them?”
    Minerva smiled and looked away. “Precisely.”
    After an