Page 71 of Rules for a Bastard Lord
“The book says you’re legitimate. That’s a miracle, true enough, but it takes a great deal more to be a lady.”
“Bollocks,” she snapped back.
He gripped her arm, his fingers tightening painfully. She gasped and tried to wrench away, but he held her fast. “Let me think,” he said between clenched teeth.
“You’re ’urting me,” she said, her voice low and angry.
It took him a moment to understand her words. A moment before his eyes widened and his hand abruptly released her.
“Damnation, I’m sorry, Bluebell. But you need to let me think.”
“I need to see my father,” she returned. Then she grinned, happiness bubbling out his name. “Mr. Oscar Ballenger, second son of the Earl of Cavener.”
“Right. At least we know why he didn’t follow your mum,” he said grimly.
“Wot?” Damn it, she was a lady. She needed to speak correctly. “What are you saying?”
His eyes abruptly softened. He reached out to her, but she kept back. He knew something, and suddenly, his eyes were filled with pity.
“Bluebell, you must understand. Gentlemen lie to girls all the time. Your mother wasn’t reared gently, was she?”
“She was an honorable girl. Raised proper.”
“But she wasn’t a gentlewoman.”
Bluebell shook her head. “She was a maid in a don’s house.” She might as well tell him it all. “My father was a student, and he came to visit his teacher often. That’s where he met my mother.”
“Of course. A student trick of an uneducated girl.”
“She might not have had schooling, but my mother was smart. She learned things all the time. And she taught them to me.”
“What things?”
“Philosophy. She loved Aristotle and Plato the best, but she knew all sorts of things.”
He nodded. “A smart girl. Pretty, most like.”
“Prettier than me,” she said softly.
His lips curved. “I doubt that. But then this student comes, shows an interest. Gets her pregnant.”
“Not until after they was wed.”
“Theywerewed,” he said.
“That’s what I said!”
He sighed and didn’t argue. And in the silence, the vicar came back carrying the heavy tome. “I’ve copied it down for you, but miss…” He took a deep breath. Why was everyone looking at her with pity? She was a lady, and yet their eyes kept saying she was a fool. “It only says the two were married. Not who you are.”
She frowned. “I’m their child.”
The cleric nodded, shared a glance with Mr. Hallowsby, and then handed over the piece of foolscap. “I wish you the best of luck,” he said to her. “I’ve seen terrible things done to naive girls, miss. It’s not fair, and I try to stop it, but there are randy boys in Oxford, if you get my meaning.”
No, she did not. But she wasn’t ready to argue, so she carefully placed the letter into her satchel. Then she watched as Mr. Hallowsby solemnly shook hands with the vicar.
“Thank you, Father. I’ll see that it gets sorted out.”
“You are a kind gentleman, then.”
