When he’d approached her outside the church, she had seen nervousness in his eyes. The thought of anyone being nervous to approach her was laughable. What was she but a criminal’s sister? Guilty by association. What in the world did it matter what she thought about anything?
But what she thought had clearly mattered to Lord Ramshay. And that had left a warmth in her chest she wished could last forever.
Curse Edmund and his misplaced heroics. Catherine was grateful for his protectiveness, of course. But she felt quite sure she didn’t need protecting from the wiles of Patrick Connolly.
She and Ellen made their way out of the churchyard to find a cab.
“That’s her,” came a hissed voice. “The Viscount of Bolmont’s sister.”
Catherine clenched her teeth. She knew well the ladies intended for her to hear them. She kept walking.
“I heard she was in on it. The brother’s accomplice.”
An airy laugh. “But of course! How could anyone have lived under the same roof as the man and not known what he was up to?”
Catherine felt suddenly hot and unsteady. Rage bubbled inside her. Who did these ladies think they were? How dare they!
A part of her longed to protest, longed to proclaim her innocence for all of London to hear. But what good would that do? She knew this society thrived on gossip. They cared little for the truth, especially if it would destroy a good tale.
What was I thinking, coming out here today? I ought to have stayed locked in my room and deprived these people of their entertainment.
“Ignore them,” said a gentle voice behind her.
She whirled around to see Lord Ramshay at her shoulder. He was staring after the ladies with fierce eyes.
Catherine pulled her cloak tighter around her body. “They’re wrong,” she said shakily. “I had nothing to do with my brother’s crimes. I didn’t even know of them until his trial.”
Tears pricked behind her eyes and she hurriedly blinked them away. She had not cried in public since she was a child. She had no intention of beginning now. Especially not in front of Lord Ramshay…
“Of course they’re wrong,” he said gently. He looked down at her with warm brown eyes. Not pity in them, Catherine realized. Just kindness. “Please, Miss Barnet. Will you allow me to see you home?”
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Thank you very much!
Also by Scarlett Osborne
Thank you for reading Tamed by the Marquess!
I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, may I ask you to please write a review HERE? It would mean the world to me. Reviews are very important and allow me to keep writing the books that you love to read! ♥
Some other stories of mine:
Rescued by a Wicked Baron
A Fiery Escort for the Roguish Marquess
Seduced by the Brooding Duke
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Scarlett Osborne
About the Author
Born in the Sunshine State of Florida, but of both British and Nordic descent, Scarlett Osborne grew up reading historical romances from the land of her ancestors. Fascinated with the British society of the 1800s and armed with a wild imagination, she obtained a degree in Creative Writing and immediately started her career as a Regency romance author.
A daydreamer extraordinaire, Scarlett likes to jump in the shoes of her heroines, immersing herself in her own stories, living the adventures that she wished she had experienced as a child. An avid reader and fan of the outdoors, Scarlett spends her free time either reading or going on long horseback rides along with her two sons.
Get lost in a land of enchantment, where adventure and love await around every corner...Scarlett hopes that through her heroes, you too will get to live a whirlwind romance in the Regency era, when fairytales were real and all dreams possible!
Tamed By The Marquess (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 30