True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) Read Online Free Page A

“You know, I could have you removed from this estate for the way you treated me earlier.”
    Perhaps that’s not why she was here originally. Now his interest had raised a notch. “I’m aware of that.”
    With an unsteady hand, she pulled a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to grin. He couldn’t understand why she would suddenly turn shy, but he couldn’t wait to find out.
    “I didn’t come here to belittle you, Mr. Dean. Actually, I have come to ask your forgiveness. My behavior this afternoon was inexcusable. My only rational explanation is that I have been under a lot of duress of late, and my temper has been quite unmanageable.”
    Surprise washed over him and he gaped. Perhaps he needed to clean out his ears again, he couldn’t possibly have heard right. This time, he’d let her speak without interruption. He might even discover her immense problem.
    Andrew stepped away from the door and swept his hand in front of him. Juliana sashayed in as her maid waddled behind.
    He smiled. “Now, ye were sayin ’ about yer behavior?”
    Her hands balled into fists and she tucked them in the folds of her skirt. Ah-ha! A performance. Well, two could play her game.
    “I have been under a lot of pressure,” she began, “and I have not been myself. I am truly sorry.”
    He stepped past her and over to his chair. “Would ye care tae sit?” He pointed to the small, worn sofa beside his seat.
    Through creased brows she looked at the dingy piece of furniture and scrunched her nose. Once again, her snobbish upbringing showed.
    “No thank you, Mr. Dean. I’m not going to stay very long. I just came to apologize.”
    Even through her arrogance, he still found her breathtaking. Strange that he’d notice how lovely she looked, but he couldn’t keep from studying her. She wore a different dress than she had this afternoon. The dark material turned her eyes a deeper shade of turquoise. Her hair curled in ringlets around her neck and shoulders. He liked it better when it was straight and gathered with a ribbon at her neck.
    He scrubbed his hands over his chin. “What is yer purpose here t’night ?”
    She inhaled deeply before answering. “I—I—I’m here to beg for your assistance in a matter of great importance.”
    “How may I assist ye ?”
    She studied the piece of furniture in front of her for a hesitant second, before perching herself on his dingy couch, but as close to the edge as she could. Her back straight, hands folded properly in her lap. “I need a man to portray my husband while I’m in England for a spell visiting with my family.”
    Now this was different. He sat in his chair. “ Yer family lives in England?”
    “Yes. Kent, to be precise.”
    “Who lives here with ye ?”
    “My maternal grandmother.”
    “Why do ye need a husband?”
    “Well,” she paused and gave a light chuckle, “because I need to be married.”
    He arched an eyebrow. Ah-ha. She was in the motherly way, perhaps? “Why, may I ask?”
    “Because if I’m not, my father will arrange a marriage for me, and I cannot have that.” She shrugged. “I enjoy living the way I am now. I enjoy being my own, independent woman. I’m not ready to marry, but I need a man who will act as my husband in front of my father and my family so no one will suspect I’m misleading them.” She cleared her throat. “And there is the fact that I need to be married to get my inheritance.”
    This was not the answer he thought he’d hear. He couldn’t believe it, but the more he learned of her deceitful ways, the more intriguing she became. Most high-class women would never do this, let alone consider it.
    “Why me?” he asked.
    “Admit it, Mr. Dean, you are more husband material than any other man on this estate, and if I take this matter elsewhere, it will cause scandal.”
    Needing to think without looking into her sorrowful expression, he walked to the fireplace, took the poker and moved the logs.