Simply Voracious by Kate Pearce Read Free Book Online

“Have you thought this through?”
    Paul slowly shook his head.
    “He’ll either face the scandal head-on and we’ll all be ruined, or he’ll try and solve it in a different way.”
    “Exactly. He’ll find a way to avoid a scandal.”
    Her gaze softened. “Yes, he’ll try and make you marry me. You know that is his fondest wish, and he’ll have the perfect opportunity to push for it.”
    Paul stared at her for a long moment, as all the air in his chest seemed to explode outward. There was a terrifying sense of inevitability to this moment that made him want to howl and rage at the Fates. Instead, he took a deep, steadying breath.
    “Then we’ll have to marry.”
    Lucinda stared at Paul. “What?”
    He straightened like a man ready to walk out to his death. In other, less personal circumstances, she might have laughed at his resolute face.
    “We’ll have to marry.” He nodded jerkily. “There is no other solution.”
    “No! That’s not what you are supposed to say!”
    He raised his eyebrows at her. “What the hell does that mean?”
    “You’re supposed to offer to take me away for a few months until the scandal dies down, or something . You’re not supposed to offer yourself up as a willing sacrifice!”
    He looked at her steadily. “But I am willing. Didn’t I just tell you that I’d do anything for you?”
    “But I can’t let you do that.” Lucinda gathered herself and practically galloped toward the door. “I’ll think of another way.”
    “Lucky, don’t you dare run away from me again,” Paul said quietly and started after her. “We haven’t decided what to do!”
    She glanced at him over her shoulder. “I can’t drag everyone down with me, Paul. I’ll just have to marry him.”
    He marched toward her, his expression furious. “You will do no such thing!”
    She didn’t dare wait to see if he would try and catch her but sprinted for the relative safety of her bedchamber, leaving her confused Sir Galahad behind. Talking to him had only made her even more aware of her folly and her stupid belief that someone else would come along to make everything right for her. She now knew that the price for that help was far too high. She alone could make this right, and she would have to find a way to do so.
     
    After ascertaining that his uncle wasn’t home, Paul made his way to the pleasure house, his thoughts in a daze. He was supposed to be meeting Constantine there anyway, and somehow it seemed the most natural place to go to deal with his suddenly upended life.
    Ambrose was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking from a tankard of ale and reading a newspaper. He looked up as Paul entered the kitchen and nodded an absent greeting. Paul took the seat opposite and poured himself a pint of ale. He drank it down in one swallow and poured another.
    “Are you feeling all right, St. Clare?” Ambrose inquired. “You look a little green around the gills.”
    Paul sighed. “Is it that obvious? I’ve had something of a shock.”
    Ambrose lowered the paper. “Are your family all well? The duke and duchess? Lady Lucinda?”
    “They are all well, thank you,” Paul replied.
    “And yourself?”
    “I’m fine too.” He groaned and buried his face in his hands. “I’m just grappling with an impossible dilemma.”
    “Is this about your relationship with Constantine Delinsky?”
    Paul peered at Ambrose through his fingers. “You are full of questions today. How is it that you know everything that goes on in society without appearing to move from this kitchen? What about Constantine Delinsky?”
    “He is your commanding officer. Has that led to any official inquiries as to your relationship?”
    “Not at all.” Paul glared at Ambrose. “Don’t add to my list of potential worries. Actually, I’d already decided to sell out.”
    Ambrose nodded. “If you intend to pursue a relationship with the lieutenant colonel, then that would probably be the wisest thing for both of you.”
    “I’m not