Free Prince Charming by Julie Garwood Page B

“You’re coming with me, Taylor. I demand a word in private with you. This blackguard you’re lowering yourself to speak to is actually . . .”
    Alison interrupted him. “Do be quiet, William. Taylor, darling, please introduce me to this gentleman.”
    William wasn’t about to be deterred. He reached out to take hold of Taylor’s arm. Lucas’s command stopped him. It was whisper soft, yet chilling all the same.
    â€œI wouldn’t touch her if I were you.”
    He hadn’t raised his voice, and his tone was actually quite mild, but the warning was there all the same, and William reacted as though Lucas had roared the command. He took a quick step back. It was probably an instinctive reaction, Taylor thought, but it was still quite telling. William was actually afraid of the man.
    Jane let out a sharp gasp. “Keep Taylor here, William, while I go and fetch Father. He’ll know what to do.” She glared up at Lucas when she added, “My husband might be intimidated by you, but my father won’t be. He’s Taylor’s guardian.”
    Lucas gave Jane as much attention as he would a gnat flying by. He showed absolutely no reaction to her remarks and didn’t even bother to glance her way.
    Taylor decided to follow his example. She refused to look at her cousin when she gave her denial. “Your father is not my guardian.”
    â€œHe will be,” Jane boasted. “Just as soon as the old lady dies. You’ll be sorry then, Taylor. Father’s going to lock you away before you can do or say anything further to disgrace us. Why, everyone knows you’re in need of a keeper.”
    Morris and Hampton were the first two to rush to Taylor’s defense. “You’re the disgraceful one, Jane Merritt,” Hampton fairly shouted. He lowered his voice when he added, “Haven’t you wondered why neither you nor William has received any invitations to the affairs this season? You have both been marked off all the lists,” he added with a nod.
    â€œThe only reason you were invited tonight is because you received the invite a good week before you eloped. You’ve done yourself in this time,” Morris snapped. “Acting like a trollop with Taylor’s fiance. Tell me this. Are you really carrying William’s child or did you make that up to trap him?”
    â€œHow dare you slander my character,” Jane cried out. She slapped her husband on his shoulder to gain his attention. “William, aren’t you going to defend my honor?”
    Her husband didn’t say a word. His full attention was focused on Taylor.
    â€œLady Taylor isn’t mad or crazed, but you are if you believe she’s done anything wrong. You’re despicable, Jane. Oh, yes,” Morris sputtered with indignation. “You and William deserve each other. I pray the two of you will get exactly what you deserve.”
    The war with words soon jumped to shouts, then shoves. Taylor found it impossible to keep up with who was giving what insults. Alison started pulling on her arm again, demanding her attention, and Constance was diligently poking her in the shoulder from behind with the plea that she please turn around and explain what was going on. Jennifer, the peacemaker in the crowd, was trying to get all of them to lower their voices.
    Taylor became quite frazzled in no time at all. She turned to her left to tell William she had no intention of going anywhere with him but before she could get the words out of her mouth, Alison pulled on her arm again to gain her attention, and Taylor turned back to her. Constance wasn’t about to be ignored, however, and once again prodded her from behind.
    Taylor’s head felt as though it were spinning. She glanced up at her escort to see how he was reacting to the fiasco and was quite astonished by the expression on his face.
    The man looked bored. She wondered how he could remain so unaffected by