Free The Suitable Bride (The Emberton Brothers Series Book 2) by Karen Aminadra Page B

mistaken belief. It was a one-sided love, and he needed to know that. “As I said, James, I never loved you. You pleased me for a time. That is all.” She looked at him haughtily and hoped he realised that she was far, far out of his reach.
    Unmistakably, he was stung. He remained in silence for the next minute or two. Frances did not know whether that was a good thing or not. She prayed to God that he was weighing up the situation. How could he think she would consent to marry him? Unfortunately, he did hold one vital piece of information which he could use as leverage against her—his word that they had been lovers. Under scrutiny, it would be proven true. Frances’ reputation, even perhaps her father’s reputation, would be entirely ruined if word ever got out that she was tainted.
    Everyone knew very well that dalliances happened every day and at every level of society. The one thing they all had in common was that they were kept behind closed doors and that the truth never came out. The one to be damaged by the revealing of such secret liaisons was the woman. The man involved always seemed to get off scot-free; the woman never did.
    If word got out that it was Frances herself who initiated these affairs, she would be doubly damned, and her father along with her. Society would turn its collective back on them. Her father would have to give up his position within the government, and Frances would be assured that Edward Emberton would never set eyes on, let alone speak to, her again.
    “I cannot believe, I will not believe, you were lying to me all this time,” James whimpered, his voice cracking with emotion.
    “I did not lie, James. I never told you I loved you or that I would marry you,” she snapped. Frances threw caution to the wind. “You can threaten me all you like. You can ruin my reputation, but I could never bring myself to marry someone like you.”
    Frances winced as she saw the fire ignite in James’ eyes. “You say that to me? How can you be so cruel, Franny?”
    “I am not being cruel, James. I am merely stating a fact.” She stared emotionless ahead of her. She did not wish to speak anymore. All she wanted was for James to tell her what he was going to do.
    “You break my heart, Franny.”
    She did not reply, although she heard the sounds of snivelling and weeping. The more he cried, the more she began to despise him and question how she could ever have found him tempting in the first place.
    “Please, Franny…” he whimpered and reached out to take hold of her arm.
    She snatched it away. “Don’t touch me!”
    She felt rather than saw him slump back in his seat. She knew he was deeply injured. But what was that to her? Surely he realised their love affair could never be any more than simply that. Frances did not know what he was thinking, but she hoped he was coming to his senses.
    “I could…” he spoke so quietly that Frances was not sure that he spoke at all.
    She waited to see if he would continue.
    “I could tell your father, as I said I would.”
    She wanted to turn round and slap his face, but she did not wish to give him the satisfaction of seeing he touched a raw nerve.
    “In fact, I may go to him, this very night. Perhaps I will have the carriage turn around and go back to Mayfair this instant.”
    Still Frances did not move.
    “What would he say to you, Franny? Would he be angry with you? Would he be disappointed in you?” His voice changed to a snarl. “Or would he recognise you for the whore that you are?”
    That produced a reaction. She turned on him and lifted her hand to strike him, but he was faster than she. He had anticipated her. He grabbed her by the wrist, squeezing so tightly that he bruised her delicate pale flesh. “James,” she gasped, “you are hurting me!”
    “Now, you listen to me, and you listen well.”
    Frances was frightened now. The tears welled up in her eyes and she nodded to him as she was listening.
    “This will not simply go away. Do