Free Scandalous Intentions by Amanda Mariel Page B

you will agree to meet them?”
    Hope flashed in his light-green gaze. How could she refuse him? “Very well. But I beg of you to remember our bargain. At the conclusion of Lady Vivian’s party, you will end your courtship of me should I request it of you.”
    He pressed one hand to his chest, resting it on his cravat, over his heart. “On my honor, Lady Sarah.”
    “I have previously told you what I think about your honor.” She smiled sweetly. “You have one afternoon to change my opinion.”
    He offered his arm. “Shall we?”
    She took hold of him a might faster then she ought to have done, and he rewarded her with a rakish grin. “You do enjoy my company.”
    She swatted his bicep with her fan. “Do stop. You are incorrigible. I could not possibly enjoy your company. On the contrary, I am making the best of a sour situation.”
    His rich, throaty chuckle wrapped around her. Sarah’s own laughter erupted before she could stop it. Just for today, she determined to shut off her mind and allow her heart to lead. Would she regret it on the morrow?

SCANDALOUS INTENTIONS

    CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Sarah clung to Lord Luvington’s arm as he steered her toward the Duke and Duchess of Tisdale. The duchess sat on a turkey rug waving a fan in front of her. A grin played on her lips. She appeared friendly, but the duke stared at them with pinched lips and drawn brows. The tautness of his jaw and stern lines of his face gave her pause. It startled her how much he looked like the lord at her side. She angled her head to gaze at Lord Luvington. “Why does your father seem displeased?”
    He frowned. “Pay no mind to it. Father is naturally stern. I give you my assurance. He is looking forward to meeting you.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a weak grin.
    Sarah wanted to believe him, but something about his father did not sit well with her. She took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her lips. For today, she would play along.
    Grace caught up with the pair and walked next to Sarah. She patted Sarah’s shoulder. “The Duke of Tisdale is not so fierce as he lets on. Once you get to know him, you will see he is quite pleasant. And you will get on swimmingly with the Duchess of Tisdale.” She dropped her hand back to her side and grinned. “They will adore you, dear.”
    She hoped against reason Grace was correct. Why did she care what they thought of her? Sarah agreed to one day and would be calling off this farce at its conclusion.
    Her pulse quickened. The mere idea caused her discomfort but not nearly as much as a broken heart would. Her only rational choice was to beg him off before the damage became irreparable.
    The Duke and Duchess of Tisdale rose to their feet as Lord Luvington guided Sarah and Grace up to the old lime tree.
    “What are you waiting for, introduce the lady.” The Duke looked at his son before turning to Sarah.
    “Mother, Father, allow me to introduce Lady Sarah Roseington, daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Havenshire.”
    Sarah dipped into a curtsy and bowed her head. “Your Grace’s.” Coming back to her full height she could not help a grin. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
    “The pleasure is all ours, dear. Please join us.” The Duchess tipped her chin.
    The quartet’s music drifted on a warm breeze, somehow comforting. “I would be honor to do so.”
    The Duchess of Tisdale turned to Grace. “You simply must join us as well. It seems like ages since we have spent time in one another’s company.”
    “Not since Lady Celia’s coming out,” Grace said. “Shall we make ourselves comfortable?”
    The Duke of Tisdale arranged himself on the turkey mat under the shade of the tree. “Yes, all of you. Come sit.”
    He seemed to have softened, but Sarah found him foreboding all the same. She would rather be anywhere else at the moment. Alas, she had struck a bargain with Lord Luvington and intended to see it through. Unable to bring herself to release his arm, she