Gallant Waif by Anne Gracie (the alpha prince and his bride full story free .txt) 📗

to her like that? As if she would care two hoots whether or not a man was a good “catch’, as long as she loved him! Stupid, stupid man! Did he know her so little?

“Your so-called intentions have no relevance any longer, my dear,” Jack said in a withering voice. Call him stupid, would she? “The fact remains that your reputation is now in shreds, and you have no choice but to marry one of us. I, at least, know the ways of the world, even if you do not.”

“Well, you know nothing at all!” she flashed. “My reputation cannot be destroyed by the events of last night.”

He snorted in mocking disbelief.

“You cannot destroy something that was in shreds months ago!” she snapped. “And believe me, Mr Carstairs, my reputation was utterly destroyed long before last night.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You had my grandmother’s maid and then Martha with you the whole time. It may have been a trifle unorthodox, but you were well and truly chaperoned the entire time—my grandmother made sure of that!”

Kate gestured impatiently. “The damage was done long before I even met your grandmother.” Her voice broke.

She felt sick to her stomach. She had hoped never to have to tell this story ever again in her life, and now here she was, obliged to tell the one man in all the world she wished not to tell.

But he could not be allowed to sacrifice himself for the sake of her non-existent reputation. He needed to marry well, she knew. Some girl with no dark shadows in her past, who would bring her innocence to her marriage. Innocence, an untainted name, and wealth—wealth so that he could rebuild his shattered life. Kate had none of these to offer him, nothing but herself and her heart—small, pathetic offerings at best.

Innate chivalry, despite his gruff manner of expressing it, was forcing him to offer her the protection of his name. It would be rank cowardice for her to put off the inevitable…

Kate shivered. She felt like some small sea creature which had had its shell ruthlessly peeled from it and was now open and vulnerable to every hurt. The sensation was devastating.

“I will explain, Ja— Mr Carstairs, but before I do I must ask you not to say anything, either while I am explaining or afterwards, particularly afterwards. It…it is very difficult for me to tell you this, but I know I have no choice, and… if you look at me or touch me or say anything to me at all…it will destr— Well…you must promise me you will not.”

Jack stared at her, puzzled. Deep foreboding filled him— she was in deadly earnest. “And if I do not promise?”

Kate looked despairingly at him. “Well, if you do not, I suppose I must tell you any way… but it will be much worse, much more painful for me.”

“Then I promise,” he said quietly.

Kate took a deep breath and looked resolutely out of the window, staring unseeingly at the countryside flashing past. She turned her face away, hunched his big warm coat around her and in a hard little voice related the events of her last few months in Spain and Portugal, leaving nothing out, making no excuses, making it totally clear why she had no reputation to destroy and why she could marry no one.

Jack was oblivious to the jolting of the coach and the pain of his leg. He moved not an inch towards her, but his eyes dwelt on her averted profile with passionate intensity. He regretted nothing more than that last promise he had made her, wanted desperately to pull her into his arms and kiss her grief and pain away. But he could not. He had given her his promise.

His eyes were sombre and his throat filled as he realised the desperate courage that had made her lay her life bare for his edification. His eyes were soft and heavy as they took in the brave tilt of her chin, the resolute carriage of her slender frame as she destroyed herself in his eyes. Or so she thought, his little love. Did she not know how wonderful she was, how brave and gallant and beautiful?

She finished just as the carriage was drawing in to Sevenoakes. The carriage pulled up. She gave a shaky little laugh and said, “So there is no need for you—or Francis or anyone—to put yourself out to save my reputation or defend my honour. You cannot save what has already been destroyed, nor protect what was lost long ago.”

He made an inarticulate sound of repudiation deep in his throat and reached out a hand to her, but she flinched away from him. Francis, unaware of the drama which had taken place inside, jumped down, shouting for brandy and hot food. He threw open the carriage door; Kate scrambled out and fled blindly into the house. Francis looked after her, frowning, then turned and saw the haggard face of his friend.

“Come on, old chap,” he said softly. “I’ll give you a hand.”

As Jack limped slowly up the front steps of the house, a vehicle swung in through the front gates. It was a smart travelling carriage. Jack recognised it. It bore his grandmother’s crest. It drew to a halt and an unknown man alighted and walked briskly towards the two waiting men.

“Mr Carstairs?” he said.

“Yes,” said Jack.

“My name is Phillips. I have the honour to be Lady Cahill’s man of business. I have come with important news for Miss Farleigh, whom I understand to be staying here.” He beamed at the two men, then faltered at the look on Jack’s face. “She is here, is she not?”

Jack frowned. “Yes, she is here, but I am afraid she will not be able to see you immediately. She…she is indisposed.” With an effort he gathered his composure and said wearily, “Please come inside and I will have some refreshment brought to you. I’m sure you’ll need it after your journey.”

Chapter Fifteen

She‘s an heiress, isn’t she?”