The Gilded Web by Mary Balogh Read Free Book Online

his hands behind him. Miss Purnell was looking at him quite steadily and calmly.
    â€œMight I inquire after your health, ma’am?” he asked. “I will not insult you by saying that I hope you have recovered from your ordeal. I am sure you have not. But I hope that you have not taken any particular harm?”
    â€œI am quite well, I thank you, my lord,” she said. She had a steady, rather low-pitched voice, he noticed. It sounded quite different from the voice she had forced past dried lips earlier that morning.
    â€œI will also not beg your forgiveness for the dreadful ordeal you have been put through by my family,” he said. “Being a lady, you may feel obliged to grant that forgiveness, and really you ought not. What happened to you is unforgivable.”
    â€œThere you are wrong, my lord,” she said. “Nothing in this world is beyond forgiveness, and I understand that what happened to me was the result of an accident rather than malice. I am quite prepared to forgive Lord Eden. I wish you would not take it upon yourself to assume any of the burden of guilt.”
    â€œYou were confined in my home, ma’am,” he said. “I am guilty. I cannot make reparation for what you have suffered. I can only humbly offer the one thing in my power to give you: the protection of my name. I would be honored and indeed greatly relieved if you will accept my hand. I would gladly spend my life trying to repair some of the damage that has been done you.”
    â€œYou make altogether too much of the matter, my lord,” she said. “You owe me nothing. I thank you for the offer, but I must decline. I am to be betrothed to the Duke of Peterleigh by the autumn. Perhaps you had not heard. I am surprised that my father did not mention the fact to you.”
    Lord Amberley looked at the girl for a few moments before replying. She had not moved since she had first entered the room. She stood straight and proud, and appallingly innocent. He was the first to move. He took a few steps closer to her and removed his hands from behind his back.
    â€œYes, I knew,” he said. “Your father did tell me. The Duke of Peterleigh is a prominent and highly respected gentleman. I can well imagine that you and your whole family are pleased with the match. And if you are rejecting my offer, Miss Purnell, I wish you a secure and happy future with all my heart. I only hope that no whisper of what has happened to you is allowed to escape this house and mine. If my hope is realized, then indeed my offer is unnecessary to your happiness.”
    â€œWhy would anyone know or care about what happened?” she asked, her eyebrows arching higher and changing her expression suddenly, so that she looked for a moment like a vulnerable girl. “It was all a mistake, after all, and certainly I was not to blame for any of it. Nor were you, my lord.”
    He smiled grimly even as her chin came higher and her face resumed the set, disciplined look she had worn throughout their interview.
    â€œI would guess that you are quite new to London, Miss Purnell,” he said. “Am I right?”
    She inclined her head but did not say anything.
    â€œI believe my ten minutes must be almost over,” he said. “Let me ask again quite bluntly, then—no, let me urge you—will you marry me?”
    â€œNo, my lord,” she said quietly, without any hesitation at all, “I will not. But I do thank you. It was kind of you to come.”
    He inclined his head. “May I ask one thing of you before I take my leave, ma’am?” he said. “If word of your misadventure does escape and life becomes uncomfortable for you, will you receive me again? Will you give me a further chance to protect your honor with my name?”
    â€œNo,” she said. “That will be quite unnecessary, my lord. I have a father and a brother to protect me, to make no mention of His Grace of