Free If the Earl Only Knew (The Daring Marriages) by Amanda Forester

without talking to me first.”
    “Sorry to disappoint,” said Robert without a hint of apology, “but Tristan reminded me of the obligation, and I fear I must provide a dowry for you.”
    “Why would you do such a thing?”
    Dare shrugged. “I thought you would be pleased.”
    “No, do you not see? By hinting at a large dowry, you have put me at risk for fortune hunters.”
    “I have no fear you will succumb.”
    “Of course not! But they will be a bother.”
    “Yes, there may be some truth to that.” Robert did not sound at all remorseful. “But if I must face the unpleasantness of finding a marriage partner, it is probably time for you as well.” Kate could only shake her head. There were reasons she could not wed. Reasons Robert should know all too well, but she could not say them before Wynbrook. Some secrets could never be told.
    “Never have I heard the marital state referred to with such affection.” Wynbrook chuckled. “It is marriage, not the gallows.”
    “I do not see you rushing to the altar,” retorted Kate.
    “Touché! Too true! I will divest myself from the conversation and make no further commentary. I was only here to play undertaker.”
    “I have a better role,” said Kate. “Please take my brother back to the ball and introduce him to eligible young ladies.”
    “Wouldn’t you rather kill me?” groaned Robert.
    Wynbrook laughed again. “Come then, old man, back into the fray it is, and for you too, I fear.” He held out his arm for Kate.
    “No, no, you both go ahead. I need to pay a visit to the ladies’ retiring room.” It was the one place she could be safe.
    Wynbrook began to walk with Robert out the door and looked back, giving her a scandalous wink. “Well played.”
    Kate left the room a few minutes after the gentlemen and was surprised to see the back of Sir Richard slipping into a room at the darkened far end of the hall. As Kate walked in the opposite direction down the hall, she passed a woman dressed in a sumptuous velvet gown of deep burgundy. The cut was low, her bosoms were high, and she floated past Kate as if fairies carried her hither and yon. Kate bit her lip as the woman swept by her. It was the same perfume she had smelled on Richard.
    Kate walked through the doorway leading to the card room but stopped and peeked through the slight crack between the wall and the door. The woman entered the same room where Sir Richard had vanished.
    More secrets. Now what was she going to tell Lady Jane?

Eight
    Kate weighed her options carefully. Each one was fraught with unpleasantness. Trouble was, there was no clear choice. Even doing nothing, which seemed the easiest path, was not without peril. She could not imagine Jane would wish to marry someone so overtly unfaithful. Evidently the relationship, which had touched Jane’s heart, was far from touching Sir Richard’s. Apparently, Sir Richard had decided a connection to Lady Jane would be of benefit to him but did not feel the engagement should impede his pursuing other interests.
    If she did nothing, Jane would marry him and would then be stuck living with such a husband for the rest of her life. Kate could think of no worse fate, and she rather thought Jane would not like it either. What could be worse than to fall in love with somebody who did not return your affection?
    Kate knew what she must do. A few minutes later, Jane was following Kate down the hall.
    “Why is it that you needed to speak with me so urgently?” asked Jane, innocent to the last.
    “I do hate to do this,” Kate started, wondering how to break the unpleasant news. “But I fear that Sir Richard is not worthy of you and, worse, has feigned interest only to obtain your dowry and the societal benefit of association with your family.”
    Jane’s nose scrunched, as if smelling something distasteful. “That is a cruel thing to say, Katherine. Even for you.”
    Kate felt the sting of the barb but refused to comment. Jane was hurt, and hurt people