Kane, Samantha - Brothers In Arms 3 Read Online Free Page A

asked shrewdly.
    “Why would they not have you?” Leah wanted to know if there was more objectionable about the two gentlemen than the fact that they were lovers. She surprised herself with that thought. Already, knowing them for less than an hour, the thought of their being lovers was unexceptional to Leah. Now that she understood them a little at least, she found them to be amiable and honest, so far. Coupled with their expensive attire and their assurances that they were financially able to take care of Leah and the children, these attributes far outweighed their unusual relationship.
    Valentine looked uncomfortable. “They naturally objected to our relationship. We first approached a woman I knew before the war. She is now a widow and we’d hoped that being sexually knowledgeable she would understand that our being lovers was not 22
    Love’s Strategy
    the horrific act so many people decry. Particularly since she knew me before I met Kurt, we thought she would be tolerant. As we mentioned, we are both wealthy men and we thought that in exchange for our wealth she, or someone like her, would accept both of us.”
    Kurt snorted in disgust. “She swooned with horror and then shrieked for us to get out. She did not wish anyone to know that we thought she would accept such an
    ‘unnatural’, to use her word, relationship. Her vitriolic response made us more cautious. We waited months before approaching another woman. Valentine courted her singly, although I saw her and spoke to her numerous times. Only when she had softened toward Valentine and indicated she would be receptive to a proposal did we go to her and explain our situation. She didn’t bother to swoon. She slapped Valentine’s face and accused me of being a vile seducer of good Englishmen, and threw us out.”
    “But she would have taken you, Valentine? On your own? I’m sure many women would. Why didn’t you pursue that avenue, marrying individually and still keeping Kurt, separate from your marriage?”
    Valentine was shaking his head before she even finished speaking. “No, that is not what I want. I want Kurt. Everything else is for us, not just for me.” The glance the two men exchanged made Leah catch her breath. Valentine looked back at her and sighed.
    “After her dismissal I confided in Stephen Matthews.” He smiled at Leah. “He said he knew the perfect woman for us. I begin to believe he was right.”
    Kurt chuckled. “At least you have not been slapped yet.”
    “So merely on Mr. Matthews’ recommendation you traveled all the way from London to ask me to marry you?”
    “Oh no, I’m sorry. I haven’t made myself clear,” Valentine said, sitting up straighter with a frown. “You see, that’s why I was talking to Stephen. We have purchased Cantley House, just a few miles from here. Certainly your familiarity with the area will help greatly as we settle in here.”
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    Samantha Kane
    “Cantley?” Leah asked, surprised. “I didn’t know.” She chewed her lip nervously.
    “So you will be living here then?”
    Valentine smiled to take the sting out of his words. “Yes, that is our plan, to live quietly in the country as I mentioned before. Not only is Stephen Matthews a friend of ours, but the Duke of Ashland is also a friend. Since Ashford Park is just on the other side of the village, Cantley was a very good find for us.”
    “So my location was paramount in your decision?”
    “No.” It was Kurt who answered. “Your financial difficulties were. We thought that you would have too much to gain by wedding us to object to our relationship.”
    Leah was taken aback at his honest answer. It was rather demoralizing that her greatest asset to these handsome, wealthy war heroes was her destitution.
    Unfortunately they may be right. Leah thought it was time to get down to business. “I should like some particulars about the marriage settlement.”
    Valentine’s smile grew until it lit up his entire face. “Does that mean