Claiming Her Innocence Read Free

man responsible for taking her away from the convent.
    Her experience with men was limited to her father and the few priests who took her confession each Sunday. But she did not need a wealth of experience to know that Alton Westcott was exceptionally handsome, and a bit frightening.
    He stood facing the door, as if expecting her. His height was imposing, and his tailored long coat, fine breeches, and boots accentuated a frame that was both fit and muscular. His hair was dark and he wore it longer than was fashionable. It curled where it touched his collar.
    Just a hint of stubble darkened his sculpted jaw, and his lips were so full as to be beautiful on a man, although no smile played on them.
    “Come in,” he said quietly, and at his first words, Penelope realized that she’d stopped in the doorway. Taking a deep breath, she moved forward and stopped a few feet from him. His gray eyes were arrogant, appraising, and under their gaze she felt less significant than a fly.
    “You dismissed your maid,” he said. “And you are not dressed for dinner.”
    “I did,” Penelope said with more boldness than she felt. “I come to you from the convent, sir. There we dressed ourselves, and did not glorify ourselves with finery.”
    “You are no longer in the convent,” he said. “You are in my house, and here you will obey my rules.”
    It was time, Penelope decided, to take a stand. She looked him square in the eye, remembering her vow to be brave.
    “I have been forced to come here, Lord Westcott, and so I have. But my heart is in the convent,” she said. “And I will obey God’s rules, not yours.”
    “Is that so?” He arched a brow. “I was under the impression that you were merely a student there. So you took vows to be a bride of Christ?”
    She flushed. “No.”
    “No,” he repeated. “So you are not a bride of Christ, but an unmarried woman. As such, to whom do you answer?”
    She flushed deeper. Her answer, when it came, was barely audible. “My parents.”
    “And what did they command you to do?”
    She’d dropped her gaze at his question but forced herself to look at him now. Anger swelled in her breast. It was a new feeling, replacing the helplessness she’d felt. This man was using trickery to… to trap her.
    “Come now,” he said. “Surely a girl educated in the convent remembers the fifth commandment.” He waited. “Answer me!” he ordered when she refused to reply.
    “To come here and prepare for marriage,” she said. “But they are wrong. I should not be here, with you. I was not meant to be your wife.”
    Now he fell silent. “I disagree,” he said. “I think you are perfect for me, Penelope Lennox.” He stepped closer to her, bridging the short distance. Lord Westcott was so close to her now that she could catch his manly scent of tobacco and leather. “You are a naïve, innocent girl in need of someone to guide her, and I am a man in need of a woman to shepherd and care for. You were raised in a convent, but nuns are not parents. You need proper guidance to set you on the right path. In short, you need the influence of a man willing to act as both husband and father.”
    He turned away. “Now. You have been here less than a day and have already disobeyed me, but I am willing to give you a second chance. I have asked that your maid Betsy return to your chambers and wait for you. You will go back there now and allow your maid to change you from your traveling suit into a proper dress. Once that is done, I will come escort you for dinner.”
    Her mother’s words came back to her. “ He is stern and exacting and seeks a sweet, compliant wife. You must give him the same sweet obedience you gave the nuns. ”
    Penelope straightened her spine. “No.”
    “What did you say?” Lord Westcott’s voice was low.
    “I will not change for dinner, and I will not accept the services of a maid.” Penelope punctuated her statement with a petulant sniff.
    “I see.” He regarded her for