Free Lord Heartless by Tessa Berkley

Landon struggled to breathe. “Please, explain to me what you mean.”
    “I admit I jumped at your proposed arrangement. You—you must think me foolish, accepting so quickly.” Her fingers plucked at the edges of the satin ribbon that held her wrapper closed.
    Landon slid across and covered her hands with his. “Never, my dear. You were left in a rather delicate position and not one of your making. I dare say, you had not thought of your own needs, had you?”
    She shook her head. “My staff, those that you saw the other day, had been with the family since my birth. They are Holly Grove, Lord Montague. I wished to preserve their jobs.”
    He gave a gentle squeeze of her hand. “And you did, my fair Juliet. You showed more honor than any man in such a similar situation might have done. But fear not, you are now safe.”
    “Ah, yes, safe.” She dampened her lips and slowly brought her gaze to his. “I must admit, when we first spoke, you seemed keen on coming to me to produce an heir.”
    “Yes, I am.”
    “Really? I find myself surprised, for you already have procured an issue.”
    Landon moved a thumb in soft, rhythmic circles across the satin heel of her thumb. “Alexander is seven years old, Juliet. I admit in my youth, I was brash and careless. When his mother presented him to us, I took my responsibilities seriously. I have raised him as a full Montague and legal heir, but it would be nice for Alexander if he did not have to assume the full weight of sole ownership of the Montague name. I wish for other children conceived with the benefit of a legal marriage.”
    “I see.”
    He watched her eyes shift from side to side as she processed the information. Lifting his left hand, he pushed back the curtain of gold silk and ran his knuckles over the pulsing beat of her neck from earlobe to shoulder. “Such a beautiful neck,” he whispered and leaned close to press his lips against the throbbing vein. Beneath the tender flesh, her heart took a second beat. He raised his head a fraction of an inch away from the skin. “If it eases your conscience, I have not had another lover in several months.”
    She pulled her hand away and rose. “Tell me, this child, Alexander, he was not conceived by marriage to his mother?”
    He stared. “I am not sure I understand?”
    “Really?” She turned and laid her head to the side. “You are not sure if you married his mother? Did someone stand in for you? Did you pay for a second?”
    “No.” Landon rose and walked to the other side of the couch. This was not the way the conversation was to go. He was not about to drag the dirty laundry of Alexander’s birth with Juliet. Not now, not until he was sure she would understand the circumstances. He swallowed and brought a hand to the juncture of his hip and counted to ten before turning to face her. “No, Juliet, what I meant was I would like to have a child while married to you. Perhaps we should table this conversation for another time. It is our wedding night.”
    “Ah, and there is the rub, for you see, there is no need for you to come to me. You have an heir.”
    Landon blinked. “Madam?”
    “The need for my body to serve as a host for your heir is moot. So this part of our business arrangement will not be, shall we say, consummated.”
    “I…I do not understand.”
    Juliet garnered her thoughts, then spoke. “You presented yourself falsely, sir. Under the circumstances, I have no other alternative but to remain you wife in name only.”
    Mouth slack, Landon could only watch as she turned and moved into her bedroom. “Lady Juliet,” he mumbled as the door clicked. In two strides he stood at the entryway, hand upon the knob only to listen to the key turn. His heart began to race. He had been turned out of his rightful place in her bed. “Open this door,” he demanded. “Juliet, I am your husband.”
    “Good night, Lord Montague.”
    “Open this door!” His voice rose as he shook the knob. Swirling on his