Free Intimate Deception by Laura Landon

knows is morally repugnant. You would not make me marry him if you knew what he was truly like.”
    “You think I don’t know?” Her father laughed. “You think I haven’t known for years the rumors that surround him?”
    Grace tried to speak but no words came out.
    “Do you know how much he offered for you? Do you know how rich it would have made me? And I would have gotten rid of you at the same time.”
    Her father staggered to a small table like a man already drunk. He filled a glass from one of the crystal decanters there and took a long swallow. Then turned back to her with an angry, black look on his face.
    “Get out! There is no room for you here anymore.” He refilled his glass and took another swallow, his actions more controlled this time. “I am remarrying.”
    Grace couldn’t believe this.
    “Lady Constance Sharpley will be my wife. You don’t know her. How could you when you spend all your timehiding in the country? But she knows you. Or knows you by reputation. Everyone remembers my oldest daughter who spent her London Season as a wallflower. Whose plain looks and sharp mind sent men fleeing instead of pursuing. Oh, yes. She knows you. Knows of your bookish, domineering ways. And my new countess wants you gone. She wants to come here to Warren Abbey and be mistress of her own home.”
    Grace couldn’t hide her look of surprise.
    “What, Grace? Did you think I would be content with you as my companion for the rest of my life? That I would let my spinster daughter hide away in the country because no one wanted her? That I would want you to nurse me in my old age so your life would have some semblance of worthiness in your otherwise dull existence?”
    “No, Father. I never thought that. Never thought you would ever want me. Just as you’ve never wanted any of us.”
    “I wanted a son! An heir! And I intend to have one.”
    Grace felt a chill of dread engulf her. “I see.”
    “Do you? It would have been so perfect for you to marry Fentington. He would have taken you off my hands and given me a healthy profit in the bargain. And I was so sure you were still a virgin. I never imagined that you weren’t. No one has ever shown an interest in you.”
    He spun around to face her. “Who have you been giving yourself to, Grace? One of the grooms? Surely no one of quality would want you, even if you gave your favors away freely.”
    Her legs buckled beneath her. “No. Surely no one of quality would want me.”
    “And you’d best pray he hasn’t planted his seed in you. If you think you can come back here and foist your bastardoff on me to support, you’re sadly mistaken. Now get out before I have you thrown out!”
    Grace stiffened her spine and lifted her chin. “Be assured, my lord, you can sleep well tonight knowing you have rid your home of all things unwanted and undesirable.”
    Grace turned around and forced her legs to carry her across the room. She reached out a trembling hand and opened the door, then closed it behind her without a backward glance.
    Their butler was waiting in the hall. “George, have a wagon brought to the front.”
    “Now, my lady?”
    “Yes. Now.”
    “Very well.”
    Grace made her way up the stairs, refusing to let a single tear fall. She’d realized when she gave away her virginity that her life would never be the same and had made up her mind to accept the repercussions, no matter what.
    “Esther, have some trunks brought up, then come back to help me pack.”
    Grace ignored the shocked look on her maid’s face and threw open the doors to her clothes closet and pulled out her gowns. She had no idea where she was going or how she would live, but she would get by. She had no choice.

Chapter 6

    R aeborn took the steps to Madam Genevieve’s two at a time. He’d waited the week as she’d demanded and cursed her every day for having the upper hand, for forcing him to bend to her will.
    How had this happened? What possible reason could any woman have for