side pacing in wait, unwilling to step one foot back into the house. He sent annoyed gl

wn in a pale green traveling costume. She longed to smack the smug smile from his face.

stood back, looking down at her with pride shining in his gaze. His dandified, wel

destination was his favorite gambling establishment. He

rogance. "You are now Lady Evercroft! A bloody marchioness! Think of how proud o

over in their graves to know what we've stooped to! You have set me up to take the brunt of his lordship's displeasu

ned marchioness now because of my quick thinking! You can't even show me the slightest bit of gratitude, can you? Just be nice to the man. We both know you can do that, do we not?" He raised a gold

t was beyond the door in the courtyard. She measured her words. "You think you've done m

ercroft, little sister. You will forget about your former lover

I'm to be banished to one of his estates. Speak no more of my duty! It woul

t. I merely supplied you with

loved another. It was merely a means to an end for him. Dorian was right. He did it for himself. "I hope you never find yourself at the mercy of t

ing sunshine, her gaze going to her husband standing in the courtyard. The marquis was bristling at the delay. S

sh actions have made you ill, my dear. You look positively green," he remarked in a false, solicitous tone. "A pity, for we have a five-hour journ

d. You need not see to my comforts," she assured him as the coach pulled away. She stole one l

d sarcastically as he eyed her across from him. "And the bride wore

a purposeful look, trying another approach to gain his understanding if she could. "Does belittling and

ely a gentleman. His eyes began to strip every layer of the traveling costume from her back, making her tremble on the seat

right to be up

ng me my own feelings, my dear." He regarded her with a disgusted look. "I also h

s growing wide at his words. "Would

with amusement. "Even pain can be enjoyable. I'd show you if I had any plans to stay i

matter to you at all?" She was vis

do, my lady. Had you more sense under tha

staining her cheeks. "I'm

gust. "You look like a woman grown under all

She saw him cringe, roll

the Marchioness of Evercroft?" She bit her lip in dismay. He cursed fluently and shook his head in disgust. "I can see you don't have the first damned clue of what your duties are. It's lucky for us I ne

," Aubrielle snapped in heated response. "I can

o turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. A pity she didn't succeed at it. You are obviously no real lady at all, my

onging to slap him for his insults. She was su

herself to be ruined without the benefit of marriage? And then pin it upon an innocent man as you have done to me