Guilty Series Read Free

course I am upset,” she answered, and resumed pacing. “You are about to make an irrevocable choice that will ensure nothing but misery for you. I should die if you were unhappy.”
    â€œViola, you are being far too dramatic, as usual. I am quite content as I am, with the life I lead, and I see nothing about marrying Lady Sarah that would mar my current contentment.”
    â€œGiving up Marguerite for Lady Sarah would mar any man’s contentment,” she answered with such wry humor that he couldn’t help a smile.
    Marguerite was no secret, but discussing one’s mistresses with one’s sister was not quite the thing. On this occasion, however, Anthony felt he must make Viola understand his intentions. “I am not giving up Marguerite.”
    Viola stopped pacing once again and stared at him, shocked. “You cannot possibly be thinking to keep her after you marry?”
    He met the rebuke in her eyes with a direct stare. “Why not?”
    â€œOh, Anthony, I loathe Lady Sarah, I confess it, but such a course is so unbelievably cruel, and I cannot believe you would do such a thing.”
    He stiffened at the rebuke. “You forget yourself, Viola. My choice of bride is not your concern, and neither are my mistresses.”
    â€œOh, do not attempt all that ducal hauteur with me, Anthony,” she shot back. “I am your sister, andevery single day of my life, I endure the pain of marriage to a man who has nothing but contempt for me. How can you justify this when you know how I have suffered?”
    Viola always did tend to express her emotions with a great deal of drama. “I know that,” he answered calmly, “and it wounds me deeply. For the pain he has caused you, I would throttle Hammond with my bare hands if I could, but your situation and mine are very different.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œSarah will not give a tinker’s damn if I keep a dozen mistresses as long as I keep her in funds. She has no affection for me, nor I for her. You, on the other hand, still have some tender regard for Hammond, and that is why his behavior causes you pain. Although why you still harbor any affection for him is one of life’s inexplicable mysteries, since he is a blackguard whose treatment of you is deplorable.”
    â€œAnd it is my own bitter experience that impels me to abhor your selection of Monforth’s daughter. I want you to be happy with your wife, happy enough that you do not need the companionship of women such as Marguerite Lyon, happy enough that you need not schedule your life to be wherever your spouse is not. I cannot help but believe that it is possible to be happy in marriage, despite my own poor choice.”
    Something in the soft romanticism of her words irritated him, for they brought memories to the surface, memories he thought both he and Viola had buried for good. He ruthlessly shoved those memories back down deep and concealed his irritation with an air of indifference. “How you can remain such a romantic, Viola, never ceases to astonish me.”
    â€œPerhaps because I believe our parents were blessed to have loved each other so passionately, while you believe they were cursed.”
    Anthony felt his fingers curl around the delicate crystal glass in his hand so tightly, he was surprised it did not shatter. He set the glass down with care. “Love is all very well,” he said lightly, leaning back in his chair, “but it has little to do with marriage. Look among our acquaintance. All of them are in love. Just not with their spouses.”
    Anthony’s careless tone brought his sister back to his side. She sat down again and took his hands in hers. “Do be serious. Will you not at least try to find someone you could love?”
    Anthony studied her face for a moment, and he did not know what to say. Viola had married Hammond for love. Despite Anthony’s misgivings about the match, he had not been able to deny