Seductive Lies (Secret Lives Series) by Colleen Connally Read Free Book Online Page B

intimidated, she met his gaze, though her heart felt as if it were beating in her throat. “You came for a reason. Did you bring word of Arthur?”
    “Unfortunately, there has been no change in his status,” Carlisle said. He wasted no time explaining his appearance. “I came at Lord Daneford’s request.”
    “Lord Daneford?” she questioned. “I’m afraid I don’t understand. Is he upset I haven’t come for our dinners? I will write and explain. I assure you I meant no disrespect. It is only I have been quite…”
    “Miss Burke,” Carlisle broke her thought. “I am not here about any dinner arrangements or social activities. I have come for a different reason.”
    “And that would be?”
    “Please, sit. You are making me nervous.” Carlisle gestured toward the sofa.
    Harriet made no movement, stubbornly standing in her spot. He studied her for a moment and shrugged.
    “So be it,” he said. “You have shown you are a forthright person. So I will respect you well enough to be so with you. I have come for your ring.”
    A flood of crimson swept upward into her cheeks. Carlisle had not come to save her, to offer her comfort, or to share in a loss of her fiancé, his friend. No, he had come to insult her—to humiliate her.
    “It is mine,” she whispered. Instinctively, she reached down to her finger and pulled it off. “Arthur gave it to me. Why…why…why would you ask for what has been given?”
    “I do not relish this in the least, Miss Burke. You must understand that not only is the ring quite valuable, it also holds sentimental value to the family. It is my understanding it was his mother’s.”
    “No.”
    The word echoed in the stillness of the room. Carlisle seemed unmoved by her proclamation. He made a slight movement towards Harriet. She stepped backwards and shook her head.
    “No,” she repeated. “I don’t believe Arthur is dead. He isn’t. He can’t be.” She paused. A sudden thought of Carlisle’s actions swept through her. Looking dubiously at him, she pressed, “Why are you being so cruel? I thought you gave your word to Arthur to care for me. This is how you treat me!”
    “Treat you? May I remind you of your behavior only a short while ago? What were you thinking? If you believe that Arthur lives, what were you doing?”
    Her chest heaved with a growing rage. “Do you want me to confess I am grieving? Do you want to know it feels as though my heart has been ripped out of me?”
    Drawing in a deep breath, she feared she would burst into tears and lose the little control she had. Gripping tightly to the ring, she swallowed hard. Never had she been good at deception. Pressing her lips tightly together, she shook her head in dismay.
    “It is the only place I feel close to Arthur.” She looked up at Carlisle. The pain of losing Arthur surged through her veins. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I wanted the hurt to go away. I wanted to call him home. I…I wanted Arthur.”
    Harriet turned and rushed blindly toward the door. Reaching the door before her, Carlisle blocked her exit.
    “Don’t leave, please. Give me a moment to explain. I have been harsh, but it was because I hurt also. Arthur is the brother I never had. Please, sit down.”
    Her one desire was to escape this room, where no one could observe her misery, but Carlisle gave her no other option. He led her back to the sofa. Sitting beside her, he handed her his handkerchief.
    “I understand,” Carlisle said in a softer tone. “It was cruel to ask. I did so only because Lord Daneford insisted.”
    “Why would he do so?”
    “Lord Daneford told me it was because the ring is a family heirloom .” He sighed. “You were correct; I have kept back information. Lord Daneford also informed me that although His Majesty’s Navy has not released it officially…Arthur died on board the Royal Sovereign . He was mortally wounded on a special assignment. He made it back to the ship. Lord Daneford said he died a hero.”
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