by Lauren Smith
Marcus was usually very hard to read, but she detected his lips twitch in amusement. She deepened her frown, for there was nothing laughable about a broken betrothal and she hadn’t expected Marcus to be so callous.
“I’m sure the decision to distance himself from you and your family was not an easy one for him to make,” he said, keeping his steady gaze on her as he spoke. “In truth, he must have loved you very much to hold out hope for as long as he did.”
“He didn’t love me.” She tried to keep the heartache out of her voice, but the words came out in a breathy tremble and Marcus noticed. “He was enamored of my dowry. As soon as he realized it was about to be confiscated, the slimy toad couldn’t run away from me fast enough. He knew the charges against my father and Hugh were all lies, a villainous put up job, but he didn’t care. Nor did he or his family ever lift a finger to help me. To my shame, I even stooped to begging him. He refused.”
“Not well done of Wexley. You’re better off rid of him. Did you love him, Lara?”
She could not bear to meet his gaze, for he would clearly see into her very soul. “I thought I did. He was a cheerful fellow and nice looking. It was my first Season out and I was swept up in the excitement of it all, the glamor and pageantry. When this handsome man began to court me, I convinced myself I could love him. I had it all planned out to marry this nice man and live happily as friends throughout our marriage.”
She began to toy with her table linen, twisting it in her hands as she spoke. “It feels like a dream now. The balls and musicales. The laughter and gaiety. The young ladies all looked so beautiful in their sparkling jewels, and silks and satins. The gentlemen all looked so handsome in black tie and tails. Everyone spoke of advantageous alliances. This marriage mart business leeches into one’s brain, doesn’t it? Especially when one is young and impressionable. I was too young to be out in Society. I understand that now.”
She paused to glance at Marcus. “I didn’t want to have a come-out. Who would want me with my family in disgrace? My father insisted upon it. He hoped someone would take me, that I’d be married off quickly and kept out of the family troubles. A dear friend of my mother’s, Matilda, Duchess of Hartford, took me under her wing and sponsored me since my father could not.”
She gave Marcus no chance to comment before she continued, her voice now filled with resolve. “We’ve gone off the point. No, I will not promise to sit by and do nothing while my father and brother meet their doom.”
He regarded her calmly. “That isn’t the promise I sought.”
She blushed, realizing she’d gone on and on like a fool while he’d waited patiently to get a word in edgewise. “Oh, what then?”
“If things get tough and it looks as though they will...” He shifted his big body closer and caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger to keep her from turning away. Oh, heavens! The fierceness of this man could make the devil himself tremble. “I want you to promise me...”
“I’ve just told you. I hate promises.” She pursed her lips in exasperation. “Can we not proceed without them?”
His gaze did not falter. “No, Lara. We cannot.”
She was unraveling again. She needed Marcus in more ways than she cared to admit. She was angry he sought to negotiate terms. How could he do this while her heart was breaking? Yet, even while angry with him, she wanted to fall into his arms and kiss him.
She was angry that her body responded to him in ways she did not understand, nor did she wish to understand her feelings for him right now. “Fine, I’ll give you all the promises you want.” Slipping out of his grasp, she rose and took a step closer to his chair, her hands curled into fists. “I promise I will burn down that odious creature Dunning’s courthouse if I must.”
He eased back in his chair. “Still not the promise I seek.”
“Here’s another one for you then. I promise I will take down Portsmouth Prison stone by stone if they lock up my brother there again.”
“Are you done?”
“No, I’m not done. I’m not nearly through raging.” Her chin wobbled. She was going to cry again. “Drat it, Marcus. Just say what it is you want from me.”
Since she was standing, he must have considered it impolite to remain seated, so he rose as well. Only he was a full head taller than she was and seemingly built of solid rock. “Lara...”
Oh, she could feel the roll of his tongue as he licked that “r”.
“I want your promise that if we cannot save your father and brother–”
“We will. We must.” The dastardly chin wobble resumed. Not going to cry. Never going to cry again.
“I understand. We will do everything we can. But if we cannot save them, then you must save yourself.”
She looked at him, stunned. “You expect me to abandon them?”
“No, but you need to protect yourself. Your father was right in wanting this when he thrust you out into Society. This is why,” he said, taking her gently in his arms, “I must have your promise–”
“Do you not listen? I don’t give promises.”
“– to marry me.”
* * *
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Other Titles By Lauren Smith
Historical
The League of Rogues Series
Wicked Designs
His Wicked Seduction
Her Wicked Proposal
Wicked Rivals
Her Wicked Longing
His Wicked Embrace
The Earl of Pembroke
His Wicked Secret
The Last Wicked Rogue
Never Kiss A Scot
The Earl of Kent
The Seduction Series
The Duelist’s Seduction
The Rakehell’s Seduction
The Rogue’s Seduction
The Gentleman’s Seduction
Standalone Stories
Tempted by A Rogue
Bewitching the Earl
Seducing an Heiress on a Train
Devil at the Gates
Sins and Scandals
An Earl By Any Other Name
A Gentleman Never Surrenders
A Scottish Lord for Christmas
* * *
Contemporary
The Surrender Series
The Gilded Cuff
The Gilded Cage
The Gilded Chain
The Darkest Hour
Love in London
Forbidden
Seduction
Climax
Forever Be Mine
* * *
Paranormal
Dark Seductions Series
The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall
The Love Bites Series
The Bite of Winter
Brotherhood of the Blood Moon Series
Blood Moon on the Rise (coming soon)
Brothers of Ash and Fire
Grigori: A Royal Dragon Romance
Mikhail: A Royal Dragon Romance
Rurik: A Royal Dragon Romance
* * *
Sci-Fi Romance
Cyborg Genesis Series
Across the Stars
The Krinar Chronicles
The Krinar Eclipse
* * *
Buy these books today by visiting www.laurensmithbooks.com
Or by visiting your favorite ebook/paperback book store!
About the Author
* * *
Lauren Smith is an Oklahoma attorney by day, author by night who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She knew she was destined to be a romance writer when she attempted to re-write the entire Titanic movie just to save Jack from drowning. Connecting with readers by writing emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in seve
ral romance subgenres including: New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, and a Semi-Finalist award for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award.
To Connect with Lauren, visit her at:
www.laurensmithbooks.com
[email protected]
