Realm 07 - A Touch of Honor Read Online Free Page A

an impasse,” Miss Satiné said bitterly.
    John rolled his eyes heavenward. The woman he had desired for the past year and a half could be his if he could find a means to settle the child’s parentage. Never could he desert the child to an orphanage. Never would he permit the boy to possess no knowledge of its parents. He had experienced the stigma of his mother’s absence, and John could not inflict such pain on another innocent.
    “What if I claim the boy, but we admit I did not arrive in time for our vows to be pronounced before the child’s entrance in the world?”
    “Say my son arrived early?” Her voice held dismay.
    John’s gaze met hers. “It will be several weeks before we reach England. No one will know the child’s age. I will provide the boy a gentleman’s education, property when he is of age, and the protection of my name. It is not an ideal solution, but it would provide any children of our joining their rightful position in Society.”
    “Rupert would be your by-blow.” She spit out the word.
    “No,” John assured. “The boy will know only that he was conceived in honor. It is the most I can offer, Miss Aldridge. Mine is a superior solution to the child possessing no father. You would return to England as my baroness. I will draw up papers to protect the boy; they will be part of your marriage settlement. You may have your man of business review them. I promise to act with merit.”
    Her forehead scrunched up in disbelief. “You would tell your associates a prevarication to protect my reputation?”
    John’s senses were far sharper than he would prefer. Part of the code of the Realm was built on trust: No one could rely on a man who would speak untruths to his closest friends. He had always thought of himself as an honest man, but he openly plotted to deceive his Realm brothers. “Of course, we must speak a version of the truth to both Thornhill and Yardley. The others need not know more than you are my wife, and I have given the child my name.”
    Her expression held a bittersweet quality. “Then I accept, Baron Swenton. Your offer is most generous.” Her tone was all politeness, but the tenor of the lady’s words reinforced the bargain he had just negotiated: a Devil’s bargain.

Chapter Two
    In his dreams, after her agreement, the lady had fallen into his arms, and John had kissed her senseless; however, the reality was quite different. An awkward pause followed Miss Satiné’s acceptance. Unable to decide whether to ask for the privilege of a kiss, especially with Miss Neville looking on, he executed a proper bow. “I will call tomorrow after I have made arrangements for the church and our passage to England.”
    Miss Satiné made no move to rise from her bed to bid him farewell nor did the lady offer him more than a polite smile. “I shall anticipate your return,” she said softly.
    John realized she did not love him in the same manner as he did her, but he would have welcomed a bit of enthusiasm on her part. Miss Satiné’s countenance displayed a canvas of blandness. Of satisfaction, but lacking in affection. With cold precision, she had accepted his proposal–had negotiated her terms, while he had countered with his position. A business agreement. A marriage of convenience. John had always sworn he would marry for love–that he would not make his father’s mistake, but a nagging voice in the back of his mind said he had done execute a similar bargain. “Then I should return to Auersperg.”
    “You stay at the palace?” his lady asked with the interest he had hoped for her agreement.
    “Yes, Prince Vinzens is a close associate of several of those with whom I served during the war.” It bothered him his betrothed’s eyes glistened with curiosity in speaking of the prince, where moments earlier they remained dull when thinking upon their joining. “I will not exhaust you further,” he said more bitterly than he intended. “I will call at two tomorrow. Perhaps you