The Only One For Me.doc
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1、The Only One For MeKaren HawkinsChapter 1One cannot help but notice that one of societys most devoted couples of late is Lady Easterly and Mr. Riddleton. This would be a lovely pairing, as both are of fine form and similar mind, except that Lady Easterly is . . . how can This Author put it delicatel
2、y . . . married.Or is she?Very well, of course she is. She married Viscount Easterly nearly a dozen years ago, and such a union is sure to hold up in any church or courthouse. But mere months into the marriage, the viscount abandoned her and fled to the Continent following an extremely nasty scandal
3、 involving a card game.Which left Lady Easterly quite on her own. Her reputation is spotless and her behavior quite unexceptional, but one can only wonder. . . . What if the lady should fall in love? What then?LADY WHISTLEDOWNS SOCIETY PAPERS, 23 MAY 1816It shall be murder, then. Lady Sophia Throckm
4、orton Hampton, Viscountess Easterly, glanced around to be sure none of Lady Neeleys other guests had overheard her. Fortunately, almost everyone was on the other side of the room, admiring their hostesss new bracelet. I will skewer him through the breastbone with the fireplace poker, and then you ca
5、n roast him over a candle.Sophias brother, John Throckmorton, the Earl of Standwick, eyed their victim doubtfully. How long should I cook him?Not more than a few minutes, Id think. Lady Neeleys pet isnt very large.True. Lord Afton has a parrot twice as big. Pity we cant roast that one instead. John
6、tilted his head to one side. I wager it will taste just like chicken.Sophia pressed a hand to her stomach. I do wish Lady Neeley would take us down to dinnerweve been waiting an hour. If she doesnt do something soon, someone other than us will think to cook her bird, and they wont be funning about i
7、t.Richard would have done it, and well, too, John said, a wistful note in his voice.Richard had been their younger brother as well as a scoundrel, a scamp, and a charming reprobate. Last year, while deep in his cups, hed taken a wild ride on a spirited horse. Frightened at Richards unsteady handling
8、, the horse had balked at a fence and Richard had taken a horrid fall. Hed died the next day.Sophia cleared her throat. Richard was a master of useless knowledge.Johns answering smile was as unsteady as her own. Though it has been a year, it is difficult to believe he wont be walking through the doo
9、r at any minute, full of mischief. The smile slipped a notch. He would be alive today had I kept him from that blasted horse.Sophia touched her brothers arm. He would not have listened. He was not always the best of men, but he never failed to be the best of brothers.John hesitated, his troubled gaz
10、e meeting hers. Except once.Sophias chest contracted. Though everyone had been deeply saddened by Richards death, it had surprised no one. He had been living a dangerous life for years, but it wasnt until his confession on his deathbed that theyd all realized whyhed been consumed with guilt. Years b
11、efore, he had cheated at cards and let Sophias then new husband take the blame.That one card game had devastated her life. The months following the incident and Maxs subsequent departure was a time she preferred not to think abouta horrible, black stretch of endless days, sleepless nights, and painf
12、ul scandal, all covered with the heavy stench of false pity.She shook her head. That was long ago.Not long enough. He sold his honor and drove a wedge between you and your husband. I cannot condone such behavior.Had Max and I been truly in love, neither Richard nor anyone else could have torn us apa
13、rt.I suppose, though I always thought you and Max John shook his head, his mouth thinned. No matter. It was cowardly of Richard to allow Max to take the blame for cheating.At least Richard made a clean breast of it before he died. Come, dont mar the rest of the evening. Were both hungry and beset wi
14、th ill temper. Lets talk of something more pleasant.He sighed. Of course. What shall we discuss? The weather? Lady Neeleys blasted jewels? He placed a hand on his grumbling stomach and looked around the room. I wonder if she has any other pets for our roasting plans. A poodle would not be amiss.Bird
15、s are one thing, but lapdogs are another altogether.Johns blue eyes rested on her face. Speaking of lap-dogs, where is your friend, Mr. Thomas Riddleton? I thought you never went anywhere without him walking alongside to hold your parcels. Rather like a large, cravat-embossed reticule.If you must kn
16、ow, he is in the country, visiting his mother.No doubt garnering a blessing for his upcoming nuptials.Nuptials?Rumor has it that your friend Thomas has decided to marry. In fact, according to the latest on dit, he has decided to marry you.Sophias heart sank. You read too much in his attendance. We a
17、re merely friends.Johns gaze grew solemn. You should have a care, Sophia. Though I know your feelings, people are quick to assume more.I dont encourage such talk. At least, not intentionally. Sophia bit back a sigh. Perhaps she had been spending too much time with Thomas. He was handsome, well infor
18、med, and rather awkwardly gallant, not at all threatening in demeanor or action. And lately, she had been so lonely. Still, she would rather be alone than with the wrong person. I will speak with Mr. Riddleton as soon as he returns.Good. John hesitated, then added, I was afraid you were beginning to
19、 care for him.She raised her brows. I thought you liked Thomas?Of all the pompous asses I know, he is my favorite. John crossed his long arms and rocked back on his heels, a habit hed adopted as a youth that had never quite gone away. All I know is that you had better dismiss Riddleton before Max re
20、turns.Max will not return.You wrote him asking for an annulment. He will not take that kindly.He will be relieved to see me go. I want this sham of a marriage over, and Im certain he feels the same way. He was never the sort of man to waste his time and energies on the impossible.He could have chang
21、ed, Sophia. You have.For the better, I hope. And yes, I suppose Max has changed as well. It has been twelve years, after all. She was silent a moment, mulling this over. I wonder if he still paints. He had true talent and What was she doing? Whatever Max did now, it was no longer her concern.Ive onl
22、y seen one of his paintings, John mused, but I hear they are all quite good.Saw? Where?John blinked. Oh. I dont know. When you first married, I suppose. Before she could answer, he added, When will Max receive your letter?Any day now. In another two weeks, we will have his answer and by late summer,
23、 I will be a free woman. If, of course, her plan worked. In the years since Maxs abrupt departure, she had had ample time to lay awake at night and analyze all the aspects of her missing husbands character. And what drove Maxwell Hampton was not emotion, but pride. Pure, unalloyed pride. It was that
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