Free The Cracksman's Kiss by Killarney Sheffield Page B

back against the pillows when he slammed his cane down on the bedside table.
    “Have you nothing to say?”
    “I am so sorry, my lord.” What could she say? The frantic beating of her heart sounded in her own mind, almost drowning out all rational thought. There is no truth that can save me from his wrath, none that he will believe anyway, for I hardly believe it…
    “Sorry?” His face twisted into a frightening sneer as he leaned ov er and grabbed her by the hair. “Who have you spread your legs for, girl?”
    Kassie sobbed in pain as he twisted the hair in his hand. “I do not know, my lord.”
    “You will tell me who the father of your bastard is so I may have the whore-son killed!”
    “I do not know!” Terror clawed at her insides. What was he going to do to her?
    The earl let go of her hair as if burned. “I gave you my name, a title, a position higher than you could have ever hoped for and you betrayed me!” He placed a hand over his heart as if mortally wounded by her unfaithful act.
    “I did not mean for it to happen, my lord. It was dark and I did not see his face.” Covering her face with her hands she sobbed in mortification.
    “What are you talking about girl?”
    Dropping her hands she took a deep wavering breath. “It happened the night your Egyptian artifact was stolen. I awoke, and he was in my bedchamber. It was dark, and I could not see his face.”
    He gawked at her with an incredulous expression. “You shared your bed with a thief?”
    “Please,” Kassie pleaded. “Please believe me; I did not want it to happen.”
    “Are you telling me the thief who stole my artifact rap ed you? Why did you not cry for help? Why did you not tell me sooner?”
    “I-I was ashamed. I was afraid to tell you,” Kassie wailed, desperat e for him to accept her story.
    The earl stared at her for a moment. “I do not know whether to believe your tale or not. Until I decide what to do about this you will remain locked in your room.”
    Kassie nodded, unable to decide if she should be grateful he at least had not beaten her or cast her out of his house. The idea of being locked away was almost as frightening. The earl left and true to his word the key scraped in the lock. She tossed back the covers and wandered over to the window.
    From here she could see the changing huts bordering the hot springs. If she was locked in her room for the remainder of their stay she would not get to sample the waters. She had so looked forward to the experience. If her husband cast her out of his house where would she go? Her father would not welcome her home carrying a bastard in her belly. Even if she were carrying the earl’s child she doubted she would be welcome when there were already so many other mouths to feed. With no money and nowhere to go what was she to do? The comté had been so kind to her, would he help her? She decided even if he offered to help she could not bear to tell him of her scandalous behavior. The only thing left to do was throw herself on the earl’s mercy. Kassie leaned her forehead against the window pane, silent tears trickling down her cheeks. Relying on her husband’s mercy did not seem to be the most promising option at this moment.
    She spun around when the key scraped in the lock. The door opened and Sally hurried in with a basket. Bernard shut the door behind her, the snick of the lock evidence the earl did not intend to renege on his promise.
    “Why is the door locked, my lady?”
    “I am not allowed to leave my room, Sally. The earl is angry with me. I am to stay locked away until he has decided what is to become of me.”
    Sally frowned. “Why would he be angry? If you were wrong about being with child, it was an honest mistake.”
    Kassie looked down at her hands as tears overcame h er, rolling down her cheeks and dripping to the carpet. “I am with child, Sally. The problem is it is not the earl’s.”
     

 
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    Ashton strolled through the open marke t,