Free Wedding Night Revenge by MARY BRENDAN

was all he would get. She felt remarkably calm; release sighed through her, as though a burden she'd been unaware she was carrying had been lifted from her, leaving just the ghost of Isabel to haunt her memory...
    Quietly, Rachel listened to Pamela Pemberton effusively welcoming her eligible male guest while in her mind she obliquely registered the other peers present and concluded that, yes, her former fiance was the most eminent; Pamela's oleaginous gushing was merited and to be expected.
    She knew the woman's eyes constantly scoured her face, hoping for a noteworthy, stray reaction, so Rachel continued to neutrally admire her bright and brash surroundings from behind the gossamer tool cooling her complexion. Another few minutes and it would be appropriate to move on and join her parents. Just another few minutes and she would be free...
    'Now, I must accuse you, my dear, of being a naughty little tease this evening. I think some other people hereabouts might describe you thus too...'
    Shrewdly guessing at Rachel's thoughts of escape, Pamela had said something calculated to keep her fixed firmly in her seat.
    With her ego still fragile and unable to believe the woman would so blatantly challenge her, Rachel's fan trembled to a halt and she stammered, T...I beg your pardon?'
    Pamela triumphantly eyed the scarlet staining Rachel's ivory cheeks. If the little madam thought she could get away with embarrassing her in front of her beloved boy and the baroness, she had a lesson for her. She wasn't a woman to be trifled with in her own home!
    So much for her smug bravado at having once jilted this eligible gentleman!
    It seemed she had nevertheless taken pains to worm her way again to his side. Perhaps the fact that he now had an earldom and a larger fortune had some bearing on her sly change of heart!
    Pamela thought she didn't deserve another chance at him, and neither should she get it. The Winthrops' niece, Barbara, was keen on getting him to pay his addresses, and he had seemed quite taken with her at her parents' card evening. But then he did dispense that Irish charm quite liberally and impartially... Obviously he had forgot just how much of a fool this young woman had once made him appear. It wasn't so very long ago she'd left him the laughing stock of the haut ton. Now, with such impeccable credentials, no one dared smile in his direction, unless he smiled their way first.
    Impressing upon him his welcome seemed vital; so' did discrediting this artful baggage. 'Handsome bachelors are so very well received at any gathering,' Pamela simpered. 'So I'm trusting you to give the lie, my lord, to Miss Meredith's earlier declaration. If true, it will break so many ladies'
    hearts.' She fluttered a look at him from beneath her sparse lashes, then inclined towards him conspiratorially, her veined hand hovering on one of his immaculate dark sleeves. 'Miss Meredith tells us that you are already spoken for! Unavailable, and well catered for in the romance stakes, I believe she said.' She paused for effect, slyly relishing Rachel's increasing consternation.
    Contained fury at having her mischief misinterpreted and publicised, especially to this man, had turned Rachel's complexion brick-red.
    'Is this young lady privy to your secrets? Is there a lady so fortunate? Or must we simply scold Miss Meredith for being such a constant tease...?'
    Connor laughed: a choke of sound that combined disapproval with genuine humour. For a moment he stared off into space as though he was marshalling his wits for a response. Then, ignoring his hostess, he gave Rachel's hot confusion a long cool look. Her fan whizzed furiously in front of her face and her attention seemed to be attached to a plaster cornucopia embellishing the wall above her head.
    'I'm flattered by your compliments, Mrs Pemberton, and the strength of your interest in my personal affairs. What can I say, other than perhaps your congratulations are called for? Convey them to Miss