Tempting a Proper Lady Read Online Free Page B

far-fetched story.”
    â€œAs soon as I was able, I came back to Annabelle. And that’s the truth.”
    â€œThe truth? I sure would have liked to hear the truth. To hear you admit your mistake like a man. Like I taught you.” Virgil’s voice caught, and he cleared his throat. “Yes, I sure would have liked that. But now…well, Annabelle’s already announced her engagement to Lord Raventhorpe.”
    â€œThe banns were read this week,” Raventhorpe said, “and a notice was sent to the Times . You are too late, Breedlove.”
    Samuel whirled on the earl. “I’d like to remind you, Raventhorpe, that you tried to get rid of me once and it didn’t work.”
    The earl raised his brows. “Are you making these wild accusations as an excuse for abandoning your lady? Good God, Breedlove. You will say anything to save face.”
    â€œGet rid of you?” Annabelle broke her silence and looked at Raventhorpe. “What does he mean, Richard?”
    â€œHe has made a muck of things,” the earl replied, laying a possessive hand on her shoulder. “Captain Breedlove underestimated the consequences of his abandonment of you and now he is trying to make me look the villain.”
    â€œDon’t listen to him, Annabelle. This man is not the saint he pretends to be.”
    â€œSaint? Goodness, no.” Raventhorpe chuckled, casting a glance at the others to encourage them to share in his amusement. “No man is a saint. But you have some gall coming here uninvited and abusing us with your unfounded accusations. You say I marooned you on a deserted island…?”
    â€œYou know the truth.” Samuel’s hands fisted. “And now you figure to steal my bride.”
    â€œAnd yet you stand here before us. Clearly you escaped this mythical captivity.” Raventhorpe shook his head, his expression tinged with pity. “Poor man. You must have loved Annabelle very much for your mind to have become so unhinged.”
    â€œYou know what you did.”
    â€œI know what you are claiming I did. Where is your proof?”
    â€œGood question,” Virgil said. “It’s your word against his. You got any proof or witnesses? BecauseLord Raventhorpe has a boat full of people who back what he says.”
    Samuel remained silent. He could see the gleam of triumph in Raventhorpe’s eyes behind the mien of benevolence. It took every fiber of control not to reach out and choke the man with his bare hands.
    â€œSo, you have no proof.” Raventhorpe cast a meaningful look at the Baileys.
    There was no way to win, not without evidence. Samuel turned his attention to his fiancée. “Annabelle, you are still my betrothed. Surely you believe me.” He held out a hand to her, then dropped it when she didn’t take it. “We had plans. Dreams.”
    â€œWe did.” She fixed him with a deadened stare, spearing him with disappointment from that too-somber gaze. “But you disappeared with no word that you ever intended to come back. Not so much as a letter.” Annabelle glanced up and laid her hand over Raventhorpe’s on her shoulder, eyeing the earl with devotion. “Richard was there. He comforted me in my heartbreak and my humiliation. That is why I chose him for my husband.”
    â€œI see.” Samuel looked at Virgil.
    The older man nodded. “That’s how it is. I want my gal to be happy.”
    â€œI could make her happy.”
    â€œOh, leave off, Breedlove!” Raventhorpe snapped. “You have lost. Accept it like a man.”
    Samuel glanced back at Annabelle.
    â€œYou should leave now, Samuel,” she said.
    â€œWhy him?” Samuel asked, the words jerking from him like a tightly leashed beast fighting to escape.“His title? Social prestige? I never knew you to be a social climber, Annabelle.”
    â€œHere now!” Virgil surged to his feet.
    â€œThere’s no need