Far Beyond Scandalous by Bethany Sefchick Page B

adult about this.   That
was the vow she had made to herself and her mother in the wee hours of the
morning, after all.   "How shall we
go about it?   I assume you have a
plan.   You usually do."
    From
the moment Gibson had read the missive and learned from Michaels how important
it was to the earl that this order in particular be carried out, he had
begun to formulate a plan.   Though he would not say so to Amy, there was obviously something
more to the directive than a father's wish that his daughter have a good time
and marry well.   One did not set aside
that amount of funds on a whim or because his daughter was spoiled.   Not even simply because he thought it might
be a good idea.   There had to be more to
that seemingly innocent scrap of paper than any of them realized.
    There
was a threat of some kind, probably lurking in the shadows of the family's
life, that had worried the earl enough to pen the directive.   Most likely, it was a threat against Amy
herself, one that she knew nothing about.   After all, one did not reach William Cheltenham's position in life
without angering a few people, and those types of people would not care that
they hurt a woman.   All they would see
was a way to hit at the very heart of a man they despised.
    Was
that the reason for the duchess' endless worry?   Was that directive what had brought about her apoplexy?  
    Without
more information, Gibson could not be certain.   He also did not know who or what the threat was, or where it would be coming
from.   He also had no idea who he could
trust, especially since Amy had no proper suitors.   In his eyes, everyone was suspect.
    That
left him with only one course of action, one he had relied on long ago when he
had been trying to dig himself out of the figurative hole his father had left
him in - trust no one but yourself.
    "I
do have a plan," Gibson admitted finally, knowing full well that even if
Amy agreed to it, he would be damning himself to weeks of torment and a
lifetime of regret.   Yet his heart would
not allow him to make another choice.
    The
previous night, he had vowed to himself that he would stay away from Amy and
not be tempted by her sweetness or the passions she stirred in his heart.   He would be her friend and her advisor, but
nothing more.   He certainly would not
kiss her again.   Now, he was about to go
back on that vow.   Gibson would be her
escort about town, partly because he refused to leave her to Michaels'
less-than-tender mercies, especially given how much the other man distained the
aristocracy.   However, he was also doing
it for himself, to allow himself one last glimpse of paradise before he shut
the door and locked it forever.
    Escorting
Amy would not be easy.   In many ways, it
would be pure torture.   Gibson prayed
that he was strong enough to endure.   Then again, he had endured his father's betrayal.   Surely this could be no worse.

Chapter
Five
     
     
    Society
Tales
     
    Town is still all abuzz
regarding the events that took place at the supposed "benefit" ball
hosed by Lady F. several nights previous, mostly concerning the health of
society matron Lady E.   However,
speculation is now rampant that the same affliction may yet affect her
daughter, Lady A.   Is it possible that
two of the most respected women in society are falling ill to the same sort of
affliction that felled another in their family, Lord M., the current Viscount
of B. and heir to the family's fortunes?
    Let us hope not!   For that would be a tragic loss indeed.   This author has it on excellent authority
that preventative steps are already being taken to assure that at least one
member of this esteemed family does not fall prey to the evil clutches of
disease.   At last report, it was rumored
that the Prince Regent himself might even be involved in directing her care!
     
    - Lady X
     
     
    "The theater, my dear
doctor?   How can you afford
this?"   Amy still could not believe
Gibson was leading her up