Free Pleasuring the Lady (The Pleasure Wars) by Jess Michaels

after all our years of acquaintance?”
    Hammond shrugged. “I feel a need to protect my interests. And it also acknowledges you will receive no dowry in exchange for the marriage.”
    Miles glared at him, then snatched the paper and pen from his hands and scribbled his name across the document before he threw it back in her brother’s face.
    “There. Is that satisfactory?”
    “Very much so. Please send all the information about the arrangements to my solicitor, as my wife and I will wish to attend, for appearance’s sake.”  
    Portia squeezed her eyes shut but managed to keep a sob from escaping her throat. It was done, finished, with as much romance as one might find in the slaughter of a chicken for supper.  
    “Now I would appreciate if you would depart with me,” Hammond continued. “In case the neighbors are aware.”
    Miles clenched his fists as he turned to Portia. “I will speak with you more later.”
    She nodded but could manage no other words before she watched them leave the room and head to their respective carriages.
    She was to be married. In a week. To a man who suspected that she had purposefully entrapped him into that position.  
    Potts entered the room to clear the tray of tea. “Are you well, Lady Portia?” she asked.
    Portia turned to face her housekeeper and shook her head. “I thought being a mocked spinster was the worst thing in the world. I fear this ranks just above it in terms of humiliation. But it is done now, isn’t it? And there is nothing that can change it.”

Chapter Six
    The last thing Portia had ever expected was an invitation to Miles’ sister’s home for luncheon the next day. And yet she sat in Lord and Lady Brinforth’s beautifully appointed dining room the next afternoon with a spread on the table before her that she was certain the king himself would envy.
    Miles sat a few places down the table from her, as quiet as he had been since her arrival half an hour before. He had hardly looked at her and she couldn’t help the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.  
    Was this to be her future? With a man who resented her and half-believed she purposefully entrapped him? Would he ignore her forever?
    “Lady Portia,” Lady Brinforth said as her servants finished serving the first course and slipped from the room. “Or may I simply call you Portia?”
    Portia forced her attention to her hostess and smiled. “If you would like to do so, I would be happy to allow it.”
    “Good, then you must call me Tennille. I have always wanted a sister, I confess, and now my brother has finally provided me with one.”
    Portia shifted. Certainly Tennille must know how their engagement came about, but so far she had behaved as though their impending marriage was nothing but a pleasure to be celebrated. How she really felt, though, Portia couldn’t help but wonder.
    “We did hope your mother would join us today,” Tennille continued with a quick glance toward her husband that spoke volumes and made Portia stiffen.
    Her mother had been in a state for a few days. Portia hadn’t even told her yet about the wedding.  
    “She is…not well, I’m afraid,” she stammered, using the same terms she had been using for years to describe her mother’s problems. “I’m sure she would have loved to join us were she able, but she rarely leaves the house.”
    Tennille’s expression softened. “Well, if your mother will not be able to help you plan the wedding, perhaps I can be of assistance in her stead. You have begun having your dress made?”
    Portia shot Miles a desperate look in the hopes she might find an ally. He still had his gaze firmly on his plate.
    “With everything happening so quickly, I fear I hadn’t thought of it,” she explained, hoping she wouldn’t have to add she had no funds for such things.
    “But you must!” Tennille said with a laugh. “I will send my own seamstress to you immediately!”
    Portia clutched her napkin. “You are too kind, but I