Free The Accidental Princess by Michelle Willingham Page B

but perhaps if I had a moment in private with Lady Hannah, I could reassure her that I have only the best of intentions.’
    The Marchioness hesitated, and Hannah prayed that her mother wouldn’t dare allow such a thing.
    ‘Wait in Lord Rothburne’s study,’ her mother advised the baron. ‘I will speak with my daughter first.’ She gestured for Hannah to sit down, and Lord Belgrave followed a servant into her father’s study.
    The grim expression on her mother’s face was not at all encouraging. Christine sat across from her, and her face held nothing but disappointment.
    ‘Hannah, you must know how much your father and I want what’s best for you,’ Christine began. With a tremulous smile, her mother wiped at her eyes with a handkerchief. ‘We want you to have a wonderful marriage with every comfort you could possibly want.’
    ‘Not with him,’ Hannah insisted. ‘Mother, I won’t do it.’
    ‘Is he really as awful as all that?’ her mother asked softly. ‘He’s handsome and wealthy. You got off to a terrible start, I’ll grant you that much. But couldn’t you possibly give him a chance? This isn’t only about your future. The scandal will darken your father’s good name.’
    ‘There must be another way.’
    The Marchioness rose and drew close, putting her arms around her. ‘Talk to him, Hannah. That’s all I ask. If, after this, you still don’t wish to wed him—’ Her mother broke off, tears glistening in her eyes.
    I don’t, Hannah wanted to say. But she kept silent, knowing that to pacify her mother was the easiest way to get rid of Belgrave. ‘Very well. I’ll talk to him.’
    Christine embraced her again, wiping her eyes. ‘Thank you, my dear. It won’t be so bad. You’ll see.’ Her mother took her by the hand and escorted her into the study. ‘I’ll be right here in the hall,’ she offered. With an encouraging squeeze of the hand, she stepped back into the hallway, leaving the door wide open.
    It was dark inside her father’s study, with the curtains pulled shut. Hannah waited for Lord Belgrave to speak. Instead, he approached the door and closed it. Seconds later, he turned the key in the lock.
    She stood immobile, stunned at his actions. What was he doing? Did he plan to assault her in her own home? Hannah’s paralysing fear suddenly transformed into rage.
    ‘Be thankful that I will forgive this defiance,’ Belgrave murmured. ‘You seem to be under the delusion that you have a choice in whom you wed. No other man will marry a woman who was defiled by a soldier.’
    ‘Lieutenant Thorpe did nothing wrong. And I’d rather be a spinster than wed you.’
    She wouldn’t simply stand here and become Belgrave’s victim. Good manners weren’t going to protect her virtue, only actions.
    Hannah eyed the contents of the study, dismissing the books or the large globe in one corner. Where was a medieval sword when she needed one? Or, better yet, a chastity belt.
    He sent her a thin smile. ‘Once you and I are married, no one will worry about the hours you spent with the Lieutenant.’
    ‘It was your fault,’ she shot back. ‘All of this. And I know you’ve threatened to spread gossip about me.’
    ‘Only the truth,’ he said, with a shrug. ‘But if you marry me, I’ll forget all about it.’
    ‘Do you honestly believe I would forgive you for threatening my family’s name?’
    ‘How else am I to wed the daughter of a Marquess?’ he asked, his hand moving to her cheek. ‘The ends justify the means. Perhaps tomorrow you and your mother might begin shopping for your trousseau.’
    That was it. Just being in the same room with Belgrave made her feel like insects were crawling over her skin. When his mouth lowered to kiss her nape, Hannah reached for the gleaming brass candlestick. Swinging hard, she struck Belgrave across the skull, while another attacker hit him with a dictionary.
    The baron crumpled to the floor.
     
    ‘That was well done,’ Lieutenant Thorpe