Page 69 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“Yes, he’s the one. They dumped his body in the Thames. It was found the next day, all bloated, his face misshapen. The fish had had at him, you know. I even heard... he was... a sodomite. That it wasn’t thieves but an enraged lover who had at him when the earl wouldn’t pay up for services rendered.”

Bile rose in her throat.

“I can’t believe she was even invited to the Teasley ball. The viscountess must not have heard any of this.”

“For some reason, the Duke of Everton and the Marquess of Merrick are protecting her.”

“Protectingher? Do you mean... are they...”

“It’s what I’ve heard. Those two publically proclaim to love their wives so much but they’re like all men. I’m sure they’re passing Caroline Andrews back and forth between them. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Mayfield also was dipping his wick in her.”

Caroline turned and vomited everything from her recent supper in the chamber pot. Blood rushed to her ears. She felt hot all over and dizzy.

This is what thetonwas saying about her. That she was some trollop. No one would want to patronize Evie’s. She would lose everything.

She pulled back the curtain and saw only one woman stood fussing with her hair. When she saw Caroline, though, her eyes widened. Quickly, she exited the retiring room.

Slowly, Caroline went to wash her hands and her mouth. A servant poured water over them and she cupped some, swishing it in her mouth and then spitting it out. She dabbed the offered towel against her mouth and dried her hands. With as much dignity as she could muster, she left.

She returned to the ballroom but felt eyes everywhere watching her. Her vision blurred with unshed tears. She stumbled toward one of the French doors that led onto the balcony and hurried outside. The cool, midnight breeze rushed at her as she angrily wiped the falling tears from her cheeks. At least with this chill she had the terrace to herself. No gentlemen bothered to romance their ladies in this stiff breeze.

Caroline went to the rail that overlooked the darkened gardens. Misery filled her. Her dream would end before it even began. A plan quickly formulated in her mind. She would return all of Jeremy’s books to his collection. Sell as many of the others as she could, although she assumed Netherby would step in and pressure other London booksellers to give her only pennies on the pound for them. The Mayfair property was a good one. She would be able to sell it for a decent amount. The sale of her father’s townhouse would also bring in a nice sum. She would repay what she owed—and leave London. There was no sense in remaining. She was a laughingstock. It also would help her quickly severe the connections with her friends. Their names were already being dragged through the mud, along with hers. She hated that this was the way she’d repay their kindness.

With the money she had left, she could find a cottage in the country. Start a new life. Leave all of this ugliness behind.

“Caroline?”

She stiffened.

No, no, no!

This was not the time for Luke St. Clair to see her. She ignored him and rushed away, down the stone stairs and away from the terrace.

Within moments, he caught up with her, his strong fingers latching on to her elbow and spinning her around.

“Dash it all, Caroline. What’s wrong?” he demanded.

She burst into tears.

He enveloped her in his arms and brought her close to his chest, his hand stroking her back as she sobbed against him. Bit by bit, he pulled the story from her as she blubbered, embarrassed by what she told him. Finally, he had the gist of it—except for the part about her being a strumpet. She couldn’t even speak those words to him. She pulled away and he remove a handkerchief, drying her tears.

“You can’t give any credence to gossips.”

Caroline’s jaw dropped. “It was more than gossip, Luke. How could I not have known that my father was murdered in such a grisly manner? It was bad enough being the daughter of a gambler who lost all his money. To learn how he met his end—and to hear what thetonis saying about me—and about you and your family for befriending me? It’s too much.”

Her head dropped in shame.

Suddenly, warm fingers touched her chin, tilting it upward until her gaze met his.

“Forget about it, Caroline.”

“How can I?” she asked.

“Like this.”

Luke’s mouth covered hers.

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