Free How to Please a Lady by Jane Goodger Page B

curious. He propped his chin on one fist and tilted his head slightly.
    â€œAnd then what do you suppose would happen?”
    â€œI’m sure my father would . . .” Her voice trailed off, because she truly couldn’t imagine what her father would do.
    He surprised her when he threw back his head and laughed. Pulling out a handkerchief, he dabbed at his eyes as if what she’d said was so delightful it had brought him to tears of mirth. “Oh, dear, my sweet little innocent child. Your mother knows.”
    â€œWhat? No, she doesn’t, I—”
    â€œShe may not know the particulars of our passions, but she definitely knows . Or at least hopes.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    He walked up to her and laid a hand beneath her chin, like some benevolent uncle. “What mother of your acquaintance would allow her unmarried daughter to walk unaccompanied to such an isolated spot as your lovely lake?”
    â€œShe trusted you,” Rose said, but even as she said the words they sounded somehow false to her. She had thought about that, had wondered, but had accepted her mother’s explanation without question.
    â€œTrusted. Hmm. Odd way of showing trust, if you ask me, my dear. By allowing you to walk out with me quite, quite alone, she ensured you would be essentially compromised by me. It was, let us say, a bit of an insurance policy. Your mother is not a stupid woman and I am certainly no fool. But I want you as a wife. I want access to that delectable little body of yours and that hot little mouth.” His gaze drifted lazily down to her lips. “And don’t for a second believe your mother didn’t know precisely what she was doing, what she was allowing. Count yourself lucky, my dear, that I do enjoy the anticipation of taking you on our wedding night. Such a lovely tradition.”
    Rose felt bile rising up in her throat. “You are loathsome.”
    He laughed again. “I appreciate a girl with a bit of fire,” he said, but then his eyes grew hard. “Just be certain not to overdo it. A wife must obey her husband without question. That is all I ask.” He looked at her and chuckled. “How distressed you look. Like a child who’s had her candy taken away.”
    Rose fought not to cry. Or scream. “I would ask that you refrain from improper behavior until our wedding, Your Grace.” She hated the way her voice sounded, hated that what he’d said about her mother sounded like the truth. Her mother would do anything to ensure this wedding took place, and Rose now suspected she would get no help from that quarter.
    â€œVery well,” he said, with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I’m off to London and it is unlikely I’ll return much before the wedding. Will you miss me, my dear?”
    When she remained silent, he laughed again, but his eyes narrowed and Rose sensed he was angry beyond measure.
    Â 
    â€œMother, I am curious.” Rose sat on her mother’s bed, watching as she brushed her golden hair, now slightly dulled by strands of gray.
    â€œAbout what, dear?”
    â€œAbout why you allowed me to walk alone with His Grace. It was highly improper, duke or no.”
    Her mother let out a sigh and placed her brush on her vanity. “I see nothing improper about an engaged couple taking a walk.”
    â€œBut it is improper, and you know it. Was it because you feared he would break the engagement?”
    Her mother let out a laugh that was decidedly false. “How silly you’ve been lately. One moment claiming you don’t want to marry at all, then complaining about propriety. You would be ruined forever if you broke this engagement.” Lucille turned to look at her daughter. “You do know that, don’t you? You are aware of what your life would be like should you break this off?”
    â€œI don’t want to break it off,” Rose said, her cheeks flushing with her lie.
    â€œI