My Secret Lover

ne Rak

ll do," Lady Gertrude

to his feet and cried out

said rather too calmly, pointing her elegant finger at the closed door of t

ad she done? How the bloody hell did this happen? Yes, she had planned on seducing someon

cene they witnessed with a few juicy false details for exaggeration. She was ruined. Completely and

She saw him! But she was stopped by Belinda and her friends. He must have somehow slippe

She should have run out the door the moment she recognized Adrien Havers

ing and Mary forced herself to

to be wed! Not to

for any other men, Adrien. We all know that her reputation is not one anyon

e took offense from Lady Gertrude's words. Adrien shot her a sharp

our father and now this?!" Mary flinched at the reminder of her father's death. Lady Gertrude di

n, Mary could see his handsome face flush with

Adrien's voice stopped her words i

ore Mary understood his w

ow. If they ought to be, it shall be about a wedding announcement!" Lady Gertrude was gone in a flash to relay

landed on pieces of glass that were

arted but Adrien stopped her wor

ve planned this. Do not, for one second, t

ought to address him as 'my lord' but he had been addressed as such for as long as she could reme

without locking the door? Any sensible chit would have

you were so

rrible lie? You should have flown out

et away!" she i

at he was at fault here as well. If he did

have taken advan

all of the man! "My lord!

d started for the door. She stared after him, her mouth dropping open. He stopped at the door and looked over his shoulder at her. "

d behind her, separating her from the rest of t

ght myself the

*

half-hearted and nearly sorrowful felicitations from t

fool! He curs

f be trapped and

thought the chit was capable of

her in some occasions he was there. She would always be holding a book as she turned into one of the p

ton's condemnation of her and her father's business. She was similar

rtune so he stormed right into his brothe

, intending to berate his brother but then the panic had set in and he burst out, "You

es and asked, "What the bloody he

at he was awake. God, have mercy on rakes for this one bloody moment and wake me up!

pid fits in the past that this was not new to him. But this was bloody different! This was n

nstead for he was suddenly feeling he

. "I don't appreciate your games

loody s

-hu

d that chit had s

rtrude doing just that

y Mary Featherton!" he shouted at his brot

t did you

otten Calan's full attention. He relayed the general details of what had transpired in the Macy

You deal with it," his

enge someone

his brother answered dryly.

her's death turned her into a crazy, desperate woman? Maybe he could still get out of this marriage after all. She had told him

en my word, he tho

g to her?" Calan asked

a talk for we nearly shouted

e if you really do not wish to ma

to think. I bloody need to think and I bloody need

*

no longer in the Town. Her father was dead. She had no other

had been keeping residence with her

tumbled in the darkness of her bedchamber. She locked the door behind her

am not strong enough

ertrude had helped put in order the moment she w

ide until now. Her reputation may not have

ts in one. Burying her face in the pillow, Mary cried herself to sleep. She'd cry for tonight for

only oug

*

ound himself wanting

ot been

htmare. The end of his bach

to end, he thought

y ought to talk to Mary Featherton and convince her that marr

ut of bed and quickly dressed. Once done, he called for his carriage to b

at this time of day?"

ered under his breath in answer,

House. He smiled to himself. Mary Featherton would not say no.

e only man in the world. She had kissed him as hungr

rget about how she felt in his hands or how

ve

l closed and he had to knock

Call your mistress now for I have a

str

else?" he impatiently cried

eatherton i

d trust me, Timmy, she will come down. I will be in the west p

known nook and corner except the private passages and corridors that were only availa

ith books and a small table and lounge chairs. There were only a few people who

in surprise. She was dressed in naught but her night dress and a robe she hugged over herself. Her star

lor. Her cheeks had a natural flush in them not very common among ladies in

and tasted in his lips. If he had known she looked

ice said, drawing him back to the present. As he studied her face furth

"Are you not going to change?

u were demanding for my immediate pr

wed," he said wi

r, clad in white robe, hugging her slender figure with a slight stoop, he

ite liter

he could not sacrifice both their future simply

n give it to you," he ad

frowned. "I do

She had just inherited a large fortu

till find a way to get out

o.

hen blinked. "W

her golden brown eyes met his blue gaze. "No. I