Something Scandalous

Will frowned, his gaze moving from her face to her belly. “I do not understand. Why would you announce such a thing in front of Abigail if you were not with child?”

This was more difficult than she even imagined. “Sophie and I were at the bookshop today, and by chance, so was Abigail. And her father.”

“Her father is in Virginia, Elizabeth. The man despises England and never would have allowed her to come, much less come here himself.”

“Will, I was standing in the aisle next to them. I heard them both.”

“You never met Abigail until she arrived here today. How could you possibly have known it was her?” His voice grew deeper with anger as he spoke.

He didn’t believe her. She hadn’t thought it possible. He must still love Abigail after all. “The man called her Abigail, she called him Father, and he talked about her becoming the Duchess of Kendal. That could only mean marrying you.”

“Even if she did, that doesn’t excuse your actions today. Why did you lie to me?”

“I felt I had no choice. I was certain you wouldn’t believe me over Abigail, and I knew she was lying to you.” Elizabeth wrung her hands in despair. She wanted desperately for him to believe her. “I blurted it out to protect you,” she whispered.

“Elizabeth,” Will said, then paused, staring down at his clenched hands. “Did you tell me you were pregnant to get me to marry you?”

“Yes, no, I don’t know!” Elizabeth tried to blink away the tears but they continued to fill her eyes. “It doesn’t matter anyway. You cannot marry me.”

“And why is that?”

She didn’t want to tell him everything, but he did have a right to know. “This wasn’t the first time I’ve manipulated you. I have been as awful as Abigail.”

He looked over at her sharply. “What are you talking about?” he asked slowly.

She licked her lips and then pressed them together. “I flirted with you to convince you to let me stay in the house. I made love with you to get you to stay in England. I read almost all of my mother’s journal. She did terrible things just to get her way. I’m no better than she was.”

Will rose from his seat and stalked her. With each step closer, she could feel the anger emanating from him.

“You made love with me only to get me to stay here?”

She looked away from him and nodded. “I wanted you to stay so I could continue to look for the journal.”

“And that was the only reason you let me touch you?”

She should tell him the truth but it didn’t matter at this point. She was a terrible person, and he deserved so much more than her.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Get out of this house,” he said in a menacing tone. “I don’t want to see you here again.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes and nodded. “I will send for my things.”

“Do that.” He strode from the room and slammed the door behind him.

She dropped into the chair and wept for all that she had lost. Everything she ever wanted had just stormed out of the room, leaving her behind. She had nothing now…except her heartache.

Slowly, she stood and wiped away her tears. She had to leave now before she went up to his room and begged him to let her stay with him. To tell him that she loved him. And th

at the other times they had made love were what counted, not the first time. But she couldn’t do such a thing. He did not want her any longer, and she couldn’t blame him.

She was a terrible person who had used her wiles for her own gain. Just like her mother.

Walking down the hall, she gathered her courage and asked for a carriage to be brought around. Then she waited. She could hear the boys upstairs and wanted to say good-bye, but she didn’t think Will would want her to do it. She wondered if Ellie and Lucy were upstairs, too. They might not have returned from their morning calls yet.

“The carriage is ready, miss.”

“Thank you.”