The Suitable Bride (The Emberton Brothers Series Book 2) by Karen Aminadra Page A

I think you will be surprised at how large a number of them do.”
    When she finished speaking, it was as though all of the air had gone out of her. She slumped down on the edge of her double-ended chaise longue. “And yet,” she said in a soft voice, “when a lady is discovered to have participated in that which everyone, it seems, participates in, she is damned.”
    Frances began to resign herself to her fate. Edward would leave her. He was an upstanding politician who could not afford scandal in his life. She had no recourse but to give him up. Would she be satisfied returning to her old ways after unexpectedly finding love?
     
    * * * *
     
    Three days had passed since Edward sought an audience with Frances. He broke off the engagement. He did not see any possible way in which they could continue. His heart was breaking, yet he had to go on. He buried himself in his work.
    One bright morning, as he was taking a stroll in the garden, Edward was only mildly surprised to see Lord Davenport’s carriage pull up outside the house
    “Lord Davenport!” he called out in greeting to the man he now viewed as his patron. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” Edward had no doubt about the reason for the visit; Lord Davenport was there to discuss the situation with Frances.
    As he stepped down out of the carriage, Lord Davenport raised his walking stick in greeting to Edward, but instead of moving towards him, turned instead to go into the house. “I’ll not beat about the bush, Emberton. You know why I am here.” He addressed the butler directly. “Bring us something to drink, and not tea. I need something much stronger.”
    Edward nodded his assent to Stainton as he scurried to catch his guest up and followed the older man into the house.
    Lord Davenport grunted. “This still is one of my favourite drawing rooms, Emberton. Your mother has a good eye for decorating. I might consult her one of these days.”
    “Do be seated.” Edward directed his guest to one of the settees. He did not wish to tell Lord Davenport what his mother thought of him. He knew the only reason the man was making small talk was because Stainton was still in the room, pouring two large glasses of brandy for them both.
    Stainton placed the drinks on a small silver tray atop the low table in the centre of the room, bowed, and took his leave. It was then that Lord Davenport, after taking a sizeable mouthful of brandy, addressed Edward. “What’s all this nonsense I hear about you and Frances breaking off the engagement?”
    Edward was at a loss to know what to say. “What has Frances told you of the matter?”
    Lord Davenport leant his walking stick against his left leg and waved his thick fingers in the air. “Never you mind what the girl has said to me. I want to hear your part of it.”
    The last thing Edward wanted to do was injure Frances’ reputation to her father’s face. There was also no point in lying to him. Lord Davenport was a practiced politician and able to smell a lie halfway through. Edward took a deep breath and prayed for strength.
    “About a fortnight after our engagement, I heard some alarming reports that implied Frances’ reputation was not all I supposed it to be.” He spoke as tactfully as he could, hoping to soften the blow and place some of the blame upon himself. He would rather Lord Davenport be angry with him than cause a rift between father and daughter.
    “Indeed?” Lord Davenport’s steely face unnerved him.
    Edward nodded, reluctant to elucidate further.
    Lord Davenport drained his glass dry and held it out towards Edward. “I think I need another one.”
    Edward was not going to argue with that. He almost leapt out of his seat to take the glass and refill it. Perhaps the alcohol would help to save the poor man’s feelings. It came as a crushing blow to hear that the woman he loved had such a sullied reputation. He could not imagine how it would be for her father to hear such things said against