Page 71 of Princess Charming (Legendary Lovers 1)

Maura’s hands curled into fists as a wealth of dark emotion rose inside her along with the echo of old grief. The memory of her father dying in shame made her sick and furious all over again, as did her own guilt for being unable to save him.

“I do understand, Priscilla,” she whispered, her voice holding anguish. Clearing her throat then, Maura vowed to keep a tight rein on her emotions and began again. “Blackmail is Deering’s weapon of choice. He did the same thing with Papa. He said he would withdraw his accusations of cheating if Papa would agree to sell Emperor to him.”

“I know,” Priscilla sniffled.

Her response made Maura’s heart twist. “Deering actually admitted that Papa was innocent?”

Priscilla raised her head, showing eyes that were red and swollen. “Not in so many words, but he implied it.”

“But you sometimes act as if you believed his lies. As if Papa were guilty.”

Arresting her sobs, Pris swallowed. “Of course I know Deering lied. Noah was innocent all along.”

Maura returned her stepmother’s gaze steadily. The acknowledgment coming after all this time was welcome. Yet it was still hard for her to believe in Pris’s complete conversion. “How can I believe your change of heart, Priscilla? You wed my father for his fortune.”

“I don’t deny that,” she said quietly. “I was poor, and yes, I married Noah for monetary reasons. But I came to love him, Maura. He was kind and generous and he did not deserve the end he received.” She took a shuddering breath. “I wronged him, and I wronged you too, Maura, from the very first. I was jealous of the bond you had with him … of the advantages you had over my daughters. You were so beautiful and poised and stood to inherit your father’s estate. That is no excuse for the cold way I treated you, I know. And truly, I regret being in league with Deering against you, Maura. If you could bring yourself to forgive me … I should like to try and begin anew.”

Maura wasn’t certain she could be entirely so forgiving, but she did want to be on better terms with Priscilla. “Very well, we can try.”

“I sincerely want to make it up to you, Maura.”

She hesitated before making her suggestion. “If so, then you will help me clear Papa’s name.”

Wiping away her tears, Priscilla grimaced. “I don’t know if that is even possible. You’ve made a mortal enemy of Deering.”

Maura’s gaze hardened. “On the contrary, he made a mortal enemy of me two years ago when he destroyed my father.”

“He is still a devious force to be reckoned with … and I still fear what he could do to my daughters.” She shuddered. “I can’t bear to think of him anywhere near them.”

“I think you needn’t worry about Hannah and Lucy any longer. Lord Beaufort and his family will see that they are safe from Deering and that their futures are secure.”

After a long moment, Priscilla released a shaky sigh. “What would you have me do?”

“If you would be willing to make his dastardly scheming public, we could sue him in a court of law.”

She look dismayed. “Who would believe me? No one would take my word over his. And my shame would come out. It could ruin me, Maura. I haven’t your noble connections to champion me. There must be another way.”

Although reluctant, Maura had to agree. Priscilla’s testimony against a nobleman of Deering’s stature would not carry substantial weight. They would have to find another way to bring him down—which meant that Ash’s plan to expose the viscount’s perfidious machinations had to succeed.

Just then, a rap sounded on the parlor’s open door. When Ash entered, Priscilla looked flustered at his presence, no doubt realizing that her tawdry tale would come out. After a pleading look at Maura, she curtsied awkwardly to the marquis and hurried from the room.

“Well?” Ash asked.

Maura shook her head as she rose to her feet. “It is even worse than we feared. Deering is a villain of the first order.” Her hands fisted again as she quickly explained how her stepmother had been blackmailed.

“This is no longer about only restoring my father’s honor,” Maura said urgently. “We have to render Deering powerless to hurt anyone else.”

Ash’s eyes reflected sympathy, but there was real anger in the set of his jaw and in his tone. “Have no fear, love. Deering’s predilection for preying on the weak will end tomorrow night.”

He gave her a swift kiss and took her arm. “Come, we need to return to the drawing room. Supper has been served.”

He made it sound so simple, Maura thought as she accompanied Ash from the parlor. But she was willing to trust him when he declared that they would prevail.

The buffet table was laden with tempting fare, and much of the company was already gorging on rich lobster patties and delicate meringues. Maura and Ash filled their plates and carried them to an empty table, where he seated her. While Ash was occupied with having a footman pour glasses of wine, Maura’s stepsisters passed by her chair and halted long enough to speak to her.

“This is so famous, Maura,” Lucy exclaimed, her eyes shining. “We cannot thank you enough—”

“Yes,” Hannah interrupted reverently. “We have you to thank for our good fortune, dearest Maura. No fewer than five gentlemen have asked to call on us tomorrow.”

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