Seduced: The Scandalous Virgin by Deborah Hale Read Free Book Online

“Would it not be wise to take that same view of life…and love, in general?”
    â€œI beg your pardon?”
    His countenance, usually so carefree, settled into a look of pensive solemnity that made him look older…and even more attractive. “I reckon life is like a voyage. One we may not properly appreciate because we fret too much about it ending, either for ourselves or others.”
    As his words sank in, Genia realized she had been working toward that same conclusion for some time. What did it matter, though? There was only one man on whom she would be willing to risk her recently healed heart, and she had placed herself beyond the pale where he was concerned.
    â€œWhat I am trying to say,” Blade went on, “is that I would like our relationship to continue, if you would be willing.”
    â€œYou want me to become…to remain your mistress?” Sorely as the prospect tempted her, Genia knew it was impossible. “But you are too honorable to betray the woman you will marry. And I could never stoop to steal the affections of another woman’s husband.”
    Fearing Blade might charm her into an arrangement she knew better than to accept, Genia turned to go.
    â€œYou are right.” He caught her hand, the way she had caught his on that glorious night they’d shared. “I could not betray the woman to whom I’ve committed myself by bedding another. Which means I must wed the one who has claimed my devotion or remain celibate the rest of my life.”
    He broke into a roguish grin. “I need hardly tell you, I don’t fancy that at all.”
    As Genia struggled to quell the foolish, impossible hope that bubbled up inside her, Blade sank to his knees on the deck. “Will you do me the honor of accepting my offer of marriage? I cannot promise I will live forever, but I will take the best care of my health and make every effort to avoid danger. I want our life’s voyage together to be a long and happy one.”
    If only it could be as easy as Blade made it sound. “What about your family? They would never approve of me, and I cannot blame them.”
    â€œMore fools they!” Surging up from his knees, he clasped both her hands tightly in his. “If that is your only objection to marrying me, think no more of it. You made me realize I have wasted too much of my life minding my family’s approval. As a child, I tried so hard to win it, without success. Later, I became the black sheep of the family, trying to pretend I didn’t care. It is time to choose my own path for my own reasons.”
    It touched her to think she had done that for him. But she could not bear to ruin Blade’s future as she had ruined her own. “That is all very well, but how will you live if they cast you out without a penny?”
    Blade flinched. “I would not place a burden on your resources, if that is what you fear. You have made me believe I can succeed at something if I care enough to try. I care enough about you to try as hard and as long as I must to do you proud.”
    His mention of her resources filled Genia with shame. The lies she had told, thinking they would never matter, suddenly loomed up like great rocks out of the fog to wreck her chance of happiness.
    After all Blade had been willing to risk for her sake, she could not offer him anything less than the truth. Surely that would convince him not to throw his future away on someone like her. “If I had any fortune, or even the expectation of one, I would not begrudge you a penny. Though I am certain you are more than capable of earning a good living.”
    In a halting voice, Genia confessed the truth of her situation and her petty motives for deceiving him.
    â€œIs that the worst you have to tell me?” asked Blade when she had finished. He did not sound angry or disappointed or any other way she’d expected.
    She shook her head guiltily then glanced around to make