Free Two Beaux and a Promise Collection by Allison Lane Page A

together and cried compromise…
    She reviewed everything that had happened since she’d entered St. George’s. He’d put himself out to help her, even during his sister’s wedding. He’d protected her from Derrick, made arrangements for an honorable future, and kept servants close at hand to guard her reputation even as Derrick was blackening his. Not once had he taken advantage of her. She wished he had.
    You are so blind!
    She needed his arms around her. And not just because she felt safe in his embrace. He stirred her as no other man could, making her long for his touch, his lips, his—
    It was only gratitude, she insisted, refusing to believe that she could fall in love so quickly – and with a rake, of all people. She’d been desperate to escape Derrick. Richard had stepped in to help. Of course she would feel grateful.
    But her heart didn’t believe it. Inslip’s plan to bring her out did not interest her. She did not want to parade about London’s marriage mart seeking a husband. The only man she wanted would walk through that door any minute.
    So how could she overcome his antipathy to her fortune? 
    Pacing produced no ideas. Nor did leafing through those books. They merely raised peculiar sensations she didn’t know what to do with. She was wondering if throwing herself into his arms might work when a commotion in the hall announced his return.
    She sank onto the couch and raised the cup of now-cold tea to her lips.
    Derrick strode through the door.
    Tea splashed across the carpet.
    “What are you doing here?” she demanded coldly. But her heart was already hammering in her chest. She’d seen that look before, though never directed at her. The last time, he’d beaten his heir badly enough to confine the boy to bed for a week.
    “Returning you to the bosom of your family.”  His smile belied his cold eyes.
    “No.”
    “I am your guardian, Georgie. You will do as I say.”
    “The bishop disagrees. Now leave. You are not welcome here.”
    He laughed, a dangerous sound. “The bishop won’t rule until tomorrow. Today I’m your guardian and master of your fate. Did you really think to escape me?”
    “How did you find me?”
    “Followed Inslip. The minute I got that notice, I knew he would lead me to you.”
    “So you lured him away.”
    “Enough. It’s time you learned your place, Georgie.”
    “Never!”
    “You have no choice. My word is all that matters. The arrangements are made. You will be Stagleigh’s wife by dinner.” 
    “Not when he learns how badly you are cheating him.”
    “I have a signed contract. There is nothing he can do now.”  He jerked her to her feet.
    She screamed, dragging her nails down his face before he could pin her arms.
    “You’ll pay for that,” he grunted as she kicked him. His slap snapped her head sideways. Twisting her against him with an arm like a steel band, he dragged her toward the door.
    Tester was sprawled in the hall, unconscious.
     

— 8 —
     
    Richard spurred his horse toward Kensington, a growing fear that something was wrong urging him faster. It made no sense, but he had to make sure that Georgiana was safe.
    He dodged through a narrow gap between two wagons and cut down an alley, grateful to have his own horse beneath him instead of Saturday’s slug. It willingly broke into a canter.
    Tension mounted as he considered the disasters that might befall her. He shouldn’t have left her behind, even with Inslip. The man didn’t understand how beastly Herriard could be.
    Logic stepped in to point out that Herriard didn’t know where she was. There was no need to ride ventre à terre to her rescue. But he didn’t slow. Nor could he outrun Lady Beatrice’s voice, which still hammered at his head.
    She could not seriously believe that Herriard’s lies could harm Georgiana. Not with both she and Inslip denying them. So she must mean to manipulate him into marriage. She smiled indulgently on young men sowing oats, as long as they