The carefully fabricated lie that was supposed to protect him lodged in Nathan’s throat then unraveled like poorly woven cloth in the face of tonight’s debacle. His brain, normally so nimble, felt incapable of thought at the sight of his best friend bleeding and his brother felled by a pistol shot. Clearly, Gordon believed him guilty of something-and with good reason. Yet, based on Gordon’s tone and frosty glare, he also clearly believed the worst.
Nathan slowly turned back to Colin, then stilled. As much as Gordon’s words had cut him, it was the look in Colin’s eyes that struck Nathan like a blow to the gut. And the heart. Their gazes met and held, and Nathan’s insides cramped at the doubt and accusation so eloquently evident in his brother’s eyes.
“Nathan?”
Only one word. But the way he said it, the look in his eyes, was enough to drive a stake through Nathan’s heart.
One
Today’s Modern Woman should never allow a gentleman to take advantage of her, toy with her affections, or to view her as a mere plaything to be discarded after a pleasurable interlude. If a gentleman makes the mistake of doing so, she should retaliate by treating him in a similar dismissive fashion. A deed once avenged can then be buried in the past.
A Ladies’ Guide to the Pursuit of
Personal Happiness and Intimate Fulfillment
by Charles Brightmore
“What is that you’re reading so intently, Victoria?”
With a guilty start, Lady Victoria Wexhall slammed shut the slim leather-bound Ladies’ Guide resting in her lap and looked across the carriage at Aunt Delia, who, for the past hour, had been napping, but was now peering at her through pansy-blue eyes alight with curiosity.
Heat rose in Victoria’s cheeks and she prayed she did not look as red-faced as she felt.