Secret Brides [3] Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage

Secret Brides [3] Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage Read Free Page B

Book: Secret Brides [3] Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage Read Free
Author: Valerie Bowman
Tags: Historical Romance
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blue eyes pinned him. “Enjoy it? What has being a duchess ever brought me? A loveless marriage, a lonely existence, and now a death sentence.” She laughed a humorless laugh.
    James ducked his head. For a moment he felt a twinge of regret for her. Regret and a bit of guilt. Here he was, attempting to profit from her situation. If she were innocent. But that was a very large if. For if she had indeed killed her husband, James had no reason to feel sorry for her. After all, it was possible that she was just angry that she’d been caught. Regardless, it did little good to discuss the details with her. She’d have the opportunity to put whatever she wanted into the pamphlet. Once she agreed to write it, that was.
    It was time to discuss business.
    He cleared his throat. “Have you made your decision, your grace? Will you write for me?”
    She watched him, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re very direct, my lord.” She raised a perfect golden-red brow.
    James nudged at his cravat. Was it hot in the room all of a sudden? “I’m not sure there is much else left to say.”
    “Locked in the Tower,” she murmured, a faraway look in her eyes. “Not something I ever expected when I was growing up on a farm.” With one fingertip, she traced a pattern on the rough-hewn tabletop. Her voice was tight. “Life is unexpected sometimes, is it not, my lord?”
    He nodded. “Indeed.”
    Expelling a long breath, she stood and paced to the window, arms folded over her chest. She glanced out. “There.” She motioned with her chin. “There is the lawn upon which Anne Boleyn lost her head.” She turned to face James who looked at her with narrowed eyes. What was she getting at?
    “And what was Queen Anne’s crime?” she continued.
    “Adultery,” he answered. “Treason.”
    Kate’s head snapped around to face him. “Ah yes, treason, or so said her husband, the one with the power, the one who made the laws. She was brought through Traitor’s Gate and put to death, the mother of the future queen, and all for failing to make her husband happy.”
    James stood and cleared his throat again. “Anne Boleyn was not accused of murdering King Henry.”
    Kate turned on him with flashing eyes. “’Tis true, though not the best way to win my favor, my lord. Tell me again why you think I should agree to your offer. A dead woman needs no money, you know?”
    He relaxed his stance a bit. “No, but a woman who is on trial for her life needs the best defense she can afford and the opportunity to tell the public her side of the story, which is priceless. Writing the pamphlet will provide you with that opportunity.”
    “Do you think I’m innocent, then?” she challenged him, drumming her fingertips along her opposite elbows.
    He met her gaze directly. “That I do not know.”
    “Then why provide me with the opportunity to state my case?”
    “Every accused person deserves as much, do they not?”
    She tossed a hand in the air. “I’ll have my day in court, and the papers will cover every bit of it.”
    “True, but the papers will only cover what your barrister will allow you to say in court. The pamphlet can contain whatever you choose.”
    She arched another brow at him and scoured him with those arresting eyes. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”
    “You’ll do it?” James pulled a set of folded papers from his inside coat pocket. “I’ve brought the contract.”
    “A contract?” She smiled ever so slightly. “My word isn’t good enough? You don’t trust me?”
    He tossed the papers on the worn wooden tabletop that stood between them. “I always use a contract.”
    She tipped up her chin. “That was a jest, my lord.”
    He turned toward the door. “I’ll ask them to bring a quill and—”
    “Just a moment,” she said, grabbing up the contract with one hand and perusing it. “I haven’t agreed … yet.”
    He turned back to face her. “You plan to refuse?”
    “I haven’t said that

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