Intimate Deception by Laura Landon Page A

air caught in her chest. “I would never let that happen,” she whispered, her whole body trembling. For the first time she realized what it might mean if she hadconceived the night they’d been together. She felt another wave of fear greater than any she’d felt before. She lowered her gaze to the design on the carpet. “I would tell you if I discovered I was carrying your child.”
    “And then what? We’d shock society with a rushed wedding when they’d never once seen the two of us together?”
    Wedding!
    Grace felt a noose tighten around her neck. “There is no need to fear just yet, Your Grace. I’m sure your worry is for naught.”
    The duke closed his eyes and looked away as if he did not believe her. As if the thought of taking her for a wife wasn’t pleasant. Grace tried not to let the hurt show. She had never been as pretty as her sisters. She’d been ordinary and plain, with only her thick, golden hair and large, dark eyes to recommend her. She could tell from the disappointment on the duke’s face that those attributes weren’t enough.
    She wanted to escape his scrutiny but forced herself to stay still.
    “Are you staying at your father’s town house here in London?”
    His question took her by surprise. “No. I am staying here with my sister and her husband. They were gracious enough to open their home to me while I was in town.”
    “Very well. I’ll call on you tomorrow and we can talk more. Now we’d best return to the musicale before we are missed. You go first. I’ll come later. After I enter, I’ll escort you to get something to drink. Without a doubt our association will be noticed. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll jointhe five o’clock parade through Hyde Park. That will cause more talk.
    “You can give me a list of the social engagements you plan to attend during the next week or two and I’ll adjust my calendar accordingly. We will have to be seen together often to avoid questions should the need for a hasty wedding arise.”
    Grace staggered back a step. “Surely all this isn’t necessary,” she whispered, the noose tightening even more.
    “Pray your monthly visitor arrives soon, my lady. Otherwise the risks you took may force you into a marriage even worse than the one you thought to escape.”
    Grace clutched her hands to her middle, fearful she might be ill.
    “Are you ready to pretend to all of London that the thought of being courted by the Duke of Raeborn doesn’t frighten you to death?”
    Her gaze darted to his face. “Why should being courted by you frighten me?” She studied the formidable frown deepening on his forehead.
    The corners of Raeborn’s mouth lifted slightly, but not enough to be called a smile. “You
have
been in the country and away from the gossip mills too long, my lady. Never fear, though. It won’t take long for someone to enlighten you to the fact that I long outlive my wives.”
    Grace started to object but stopped when she took in the expression on his face. Surely he didn’t think he was responsible for the deaths of his wives. They had both died in childbirth. As did many women. That was hardly his fault.
    He didn’t give her time to argue with him, but walked across the room and placed his hand on the knob. “Shall we begin?”
    Grace hesitated a moment, then followed him on legs that threatened not to hold her. When she reached him she paused long enough to catch a glimpse of the man she’d deceived. A man she’d hoped would not notice he’d made love to a virgin. A man she’d hoped would not care if he did.
    She wanted to say something to him. Needed to say something, but all that came from her mouth was “I’m sorry.”
    Her admission softened his features. “As am I,” he answered. His expression told her he meant it. Before she could move, he placed a finger beneath her chin and tilted her face up to his. “A smile would perhaps make our ruse a little more believable.”
    Grace tried to smile, then swallowed hard and walked