Sacrifice (Fashionably Impure Book 3) Read Free Page B

mention any of this. But he would say, “Your life
has been shadowed by many scandals. They haven’t seemed to hurt you any.”
    “I have
great wealth.” Jon replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “Anne brought even more
wealth to our marriage. She is the daughter of a man who was a well-positioned,
powerful duke. You, on the other hand, are in a precarious position.”
    A knock
sounded on the door.
    “Enter,”
Adrian called out.
    The door
came open, revealing the flushed face of one of the maids. “Miss Jones is
asking for you, my lord.”
    Adrian
reached for his coat then pushed past his cousin. “It’s time,” he said.

Chapter
Two
     
     
    High-pitched,
sharp snores issued from the mouth of the minister who sat in chair, his head
bent, his open book forgotten. The sound jarred Miranda’s already strained
nerves as she watched the withdrawing chamber doorway, waiting for Adrian to
enter. Inside, her stomach began to tie itself into knots. She had expected
this to be a formality, yet a casual, relaxed business. But it was impossible
not to be tense under the Earl of Ruel’s formidable scowl. Was that a scowl? Or
was that merely natural his expression? His rugged looks were a distinct
contrast to Adrian’s handsomeness. Certainly the distinguished earl was
studying her intently.
    Too damn
intently. As though he were searching for some flaw in her. As though he were
trying to penetrate her very soul to reveal her inner thoughts. And it was
clear that whatever he did see in her did not please him.
    He had
been civil enough in their initial introduction, if brief in his speech.
    She took
a deep breath against her rising nausea.
    Just
get through this formality.
    She
turned her gaze to Ruel’s right and met the pale blue, mild eyes of Lady Drake.
A small wren of a woman with light brown hair, her small hands folded over a
very pregnant belly.
    The
kindness in that lady’s eyes eased Miranda’s angst a bit.
    But
where the devil was Adrian?
    Miranda
lifted the bouquet that Lady Drake had gifted her with and inhaled the heady
scent of lavender and roses, drawing calm from it as well. She had no idea what
flowers a bride should carry or if there even was a rule. There must be a rule
for countesses. There were always rules for countesses…
    Oh, God!
    She was
to be a countess!
    She had
not even thought much on that.
    Her
heart pounded with sickening intensity. She became weak, faint. She locked her
knees and forced herself to concentrate on slowing her rate of breathing.
    She had
learned to project the image and personality of an elegant, sophisticated
courtesan when really, inside, she had been just a country-bred virgin with a
pretty enough face and striking red hair.
    She had
learned to survive then. Surely, she could do the same now.
    She
focused on Lady Drake’s kind face. She recalled the gossip that Lady Drake had
once been Lord Ruel’s laundress when he had served in the Dragoons. She had
also been his kept mistress here in England upon his return home. And she had
married a baron. She was now Lady Drake. She had apparently survived whatever
scathing disapproval and shunning had been directed towards her.
    Yet,
Miranda suspected that Lady Ruel could not attend because of the scandal
attached to Miranda’s former profession. It didn’t matter. Miranda would just
as soon as had her maid and Adrian’s valet be their witnesses. She had not
wanted to face the righteous indignation of Adrian’s blood-relatives so soon.
    Thankfully,
it was just the two of them. An invite had been sent to Charlie Sutherland but
no one had been able to locate him.
    Lady
Drake tugged on Ruel’s dark blue sleeve. He glanced down at her and she
whispered to him, her blue eyes sparkling with teasing humor.
    Miranda’s
stomach tightened even more.
    So, now
they were making sport of her? Maybe the lady was not as kind as she appeared.
    Ruel
scowled and shook his head. Then he pointedly made a study of his hands.
    Lady
Drake cleared her