The Fallen Woman (A Regency Romance) by K.L. O'Keefe Read Free Book Online Page A

of her life? Even if her child was conceived in a moment of foolish lust, didn’t it deserve a chance? To have a fallen woman as a mother would be a poor start for any child, and a viscount would be a far better father than some uncaring, unnamed cad.
    “Alright, father,” Leona answered with a sigh. “When is my husband… to be expected?”

Chapter Seven

    Andrew was completely and utterly gobsmacked. “ Leona Lennox ? Are you sure about that, old chap? You haven’t got the name wrong?”
    The viscount’s valet held out a coat, and Tristan slipped his arms through the sleeves. “Yes. Leona Lennox,” he simply replied.
    “Are you sure we’re talking about the same girl? The Leona Lennox? The Leona Lennox I’m thinking of has an entire army of beaux at her disposal.”
    “I can’t imagine there are too many Leona Lennoxes,” Tristan added thoughtfully.
    “You arranged the whole thing with her father? I s’pose he must’ve gotten tired of waiting for her to choose. That sort of thing happens now and again. A father wants to marry off his daughter, but she’s being too picky…” Andrew took a puff from his cigar, and finished his glass of port.
    “You know, you shouldn’t smoke those things around me. They might have some sort of effect on my delicate organs,” Tristan said.
    But his friend ignored him. “I can’t believe you’re marrying Leona Lennox. What do you know about her?”
    “Well… she’s pretty,” the viscount offered with a smirk.
    “That doesn’t even begin to describe her. This girl has so many admirers, she should have a shrine in Greece… next to the goddess Aphrodite! I never pursued her myself, but I know several men who have. How’d you do it? How’d you decimate your competition so quickly?”
    “They’re better men than me, I’m sure. I simply got lucky. Her father was an old friend of my father, and he was looking for a suitable husband. Everything was very timely.”
    “Yes… well…” Except your dying. Andrew didn’t want to sound insensitive, so he kept his thought to himself. There was nothing less timely his impending death, which was surely a constant thorn in Tristan’s side. He didn’t need to be reminded of it. “Wow. I can’t believe you’re really getting married. It seems like only yesterday we were expressing our aversion to married life.”
    “Needless the say, the circumstances… my circumstances… have changed. I only hope the girl’s wishes aren’t so vastly different from her father’s. I’d hate for her to resent me.” Tristan lowered his head, ashamed of himself. He knew nothing of the girl’s consent. What if marrying him was the last thing she wanted to do? How could he ever forgive himself if he became the cause of her unhappiness?
    Tristan wondered if he should tell the girl’s father the truth about his situation. He didn’t have long to live, but how was he supposed to mention such a thing?
    Andrew gently laid his glass on the table and flicked the ashes from his cigar into a small dish. “So, you’ll have me go with you, of course?”
    “No.” Tristan’s refusal was adamant. “I don’t mean to sound cold, but no. This is something I must do alone.”
    There was a pained expression on Andrew’s face.
    “As much as I appreciate your concern for my personal affairs, you mustn’t come with me.” Tristan’s valet, John, handed him a walking stick. It was more than a decoration these days. He needed to lean on it. “I’m afraid my fiancé would take one look at me, one look at you, and realize what a poor match her father made for her.”

    * * *

    “Father…” Leona peered through the window, trying to steal a glimpse of her fiancé as he alighted from the carriage. “You never told me he walked with a cane. Is he limping?”
    “What?” Mr. Lennox nudged his daughter out of the way, stealing her view. “I don’t remember him being some sort of invalid. Well, I suppose it’s been about five years since