Intimate Deception by Laura Landon

mantle.
    “Does she know who I am?”
    “No. Grace came to me with certain stipulations. One—that the man to whom she gave her virginity be a stranger to her.”
    “What else?”
    Genevieve smiled. “That the man she slept with be older than she. Grace is twenty-nine and considers herself quite old. She didn’t want the man she slept with to be younger.”
    Raeborn arched his eyebrows in a questioning gesture. “Anything else?”
    “She was most emphatic in her demand that whomever I chose for her be unmarried. She didn’t want to give herself to another woman’s husband.”
    He stared into the fire. Finally he took a deep breath and pushed himself away from the mantle. “Where do I find her?”
    “She does not want to be found, Raeborn.”
    “I don’t care.”
    “She’s not your responsibility. Leave her be.”
    “She became my responsibility when the two of you included me in your scheme.”
    “That was not our intent.”
    “That no longer matters. I have to know if she’s carrying a babe.”
    He heard Genevieve suck in a breath. “It’s only been one week. She can’t even suspect that she might be.”
    “I need to make sure.”
    “And then what?”
    He shook his head. “I will find a position for her on one of my estates. Someplace where I can be assured that she is cared for. As well as the babe—if there is one.”
    “A position?”
    “Yes. What position does she hold now? Kitchen help? Upstairs maid? Ladies’ maid? What particular talents does she have?”
    He turned around and found Genevieve smiling at him. “I’m sure she will be excellent in whatever position you find for her, Your Grace. She’s quite accomplished.”
    “Then I will find her something. Something she’s used to doing. But nothing too strenuous in case she finds herself in a delicate condition.”
    “That’s very kind of you,” Genevieve said, refilling her glass with wine and taking a sip. “But I doubt she will accept a position in your household.”
    Raeborn thought he heard a hint of humor in Genevieve’s voice, and it irritated him. “What more do you expect me to do, woman? I didn’t ask for this problem to be thrust upon me. I don’t want another woman to risk bearing my child, especially a woman I don’t know and a child I can never claim.”
    “I understand,” Genevieve whispered.
    “Just tell me where I can find her and I’ll make sure she’s provided for. Maybe there won’t be anything to worry about. Maybe I didn’t get her with child.”
    But even as he said the words, his body broke out in a cold sweat and his stomach knotted painfully. He took several deep breaths and told himself this time it would not be so bad. At least she was not his wife. At least he could distance himself from her if she did find herself in difficulty. At least he would not have to live through her birthing pains, then her death. He would meet with her, offer her a position and a generous settlement, and never see her again.
    “Where can I find her?”
    Genevieve absently straightened the flowers in one of the bouquets sitting on a small table, removing wilted petals from the otherwise perfect blooms. Without glancing in his direction, she went over to a sideboard and picked up a pitcher, then added some water to the arrangements.
    “I hear the Marquess and Marchioness of Wedgewood are hosting a dinner and musicale on Wednesday next.”
    Her switch in topics confused him. “Yes. I received an invitation this morning.”
    “How fortunate. Invitations to the marchioness’s affairs are quite coveted.” She set down her pitcher and locked her gaze with his. “I’d make sure to attend.”
    He nodded his understanding.
    “Now if you’ll excuse me, Raeborn, I’m expecting a caller.”
    “Of course.”
    Genevieve walked him to the front door and took his hand. “Don’t be angry with her, Raeborn. There was no other choice for her.”
    Vincent hoped the expression on his face concealed his true feelings.