Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
Sarandon frowned. “I thought you wanted to dishonor yourself. At least that is what you implied at my game.”
* * *
“I did. I do. It is not me I am worried about.”
* * *
Sarandon blinked at him uncomprehendingly. “Who are you worried about then?”
* * *
Arthur sighed. He did not want to bring up Janice’s name. He shook his head. Suddenly Lord Sarandon’s brow cleared. “Is a young lady involved?”
* * *
Arthur sighed again, avoiding Sarandon’s eye but didn’t say anything.
* * *
“Oh dear.” Sarandon rubbed at his lip with his finger, looking thoughtful. “Can you not make an offer?”
* * *
Arthur leaned forward, rubbing his hands together slowly. He shook his head and sighed. “I cannot.”
* * *
“Why not? Are you already promised?”
* * *
“No,” he sighed. “I am not. I would not do anyone such a disservice.”
* * *
“Disservice?” Sarandon’s voice rose with surprise.
* * *
Arthur looked him in the eye. “I am cursed. My blood is cursed. My line will die with me. I cannot let it continue.”
* * *
Sarandon gave him a look. “Surely you do not believe in curses. That’s ridiculous. You are a man of science.”
* * *
“I have no belief in a benevolent god, it is true. But that does not mean I don’t believe in curses. And my father is positively proof that curses are real.”
* * *
“Why do you say that?” Sarandon asked patiently.
* * *
“I have experienced it. I have seen what this curse has wrought. I would not foist it on anyone else.”
* * *
“I will not argue against your experience, Your Grace, but what will you do for this lady now? You cannot leave her out in the cold.”
* * *
“It may be better for her if I did.”
* * *
“Better for her?”
* * *
“She has a strong family, a sweet nature, and an optimistic attitude. I feel that she would be better off without me staining her life any more than I already have. Besides, I have a mission to complete. Once I have done that, perhaps I shall do this world a favor and fall on my sword.”
* * *
Sarandon looked concerned. “I do hope not. Where there is life, there may yet be hope.”
* * *
Arthur laughed. “I do not think I’ve ever had that.”
* * *
“What? Hope?”
* * *
Arthur nodded.
* * *
“One may yet get it back.”
* * *
“If one is so inclined.”
* * *
He shook his head. “Come, let us drink. There is nothing more that can be done tonight except getting ape-drunk.”
* * *
Arthur huffed in tired amusement. “I suppose you’re right. Pour me a glass.”
Janice sat curled up on her borrowed bed, her heart beating fast. She was waiting to see what would happen. Would Alexandra’s parents confront her? Would they demand that she leave? She had no idea what happened in instances such as these. She had never been privy to such circumstances before.
* * *
She slipped off the bed, deciding to pack her bags and be ready to go.
* * *
Flora burst into the room, her face frantic. “Oh, my lady, they are saying awful things about you downstairs. I do not know why but the kitchen is in an uproar about it. They say there is some kind of scandal!”
* * *
“Is that so?” Janice said in a quiet hollow voice. “What kind of awful things are they saying?”
* * *
“That you were caught in flagrante with a gentleman.”
* * *
Janice gasped at the stark words. They really brought home to her the reality of her situation. She looked up miserably at Flora. “I want to go home,” she said.
CHAPTER 21
The events of the ball were the talk of breakfast tables across London according to Alexandra. To Janice’s surprise, Alexandra was not angry with her for ruining their ball. On the contrary, she was quite excited that the ball had given the Ton something to talk about.
* * *
“Oh, you’ll be alright. Your father will make sure of it, will he not?” Alexandra said when she pointed it out.
* * *
Janice could not imagine what it was her father could do. What was done was done. She had a feeling that she might not be hearing from the duke ever again. He had not seemed inclined to make an offer for her hand. Knowing his agenda, she could not quite blame him for not wanting to be saddled with a wife.
* * *
He had quite a bit on his plate to be going on with already.
* * *
Still, she was glad when Flora came to report that the carriage was ready, her trunk was packed and they could leave. She and Alexandra gave each other tearful farewells before Janice climbed into the carriage, relieved to be on her way.
* * *
She had no idea what she would tell her family but she hoped that now that she was disgraced, her younger sisters could get married without regard to her. The sun shone all the way home, the weather pleasant and balmy. It contrasted nicely with Janice’s mood, which was dark and gloomy.