Read Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) for Free Online Page B

companions in the eye, knowing they were as shocked as he was. He had wanted Season as his bride. He would still have wed her, had it not been for the fact that she had shamed him before his good friends.
    "How long has this been going on behind my back?" he demanded to know.
    "Oh, my lord," Season said, standing up and nervously pressing a wrinkle out of her gown. "Please do not think I behave this way at all times. Besides Tom here, I have been with no more than six other men," she said, playing her part to the hilt. "I thought you might well appreciate having a wife with some experience." Delighted by her own daring, she could hardly contain the joy she felt at the stricken look on the old lord's face.
    "You, miss, are the most unscrupulous tart of them all. You haven't heard the last of this. Your actions today will not only reach your father's ears but also the ears of the king!" He turned his anger on the boy, Tom.
    "You, young man, will pay a high price for tossing this lady in the hay! I wish you a good day as well as goodbye. He turned abruptly and stalked out of the stable, followed closely by his two stunned friends.
    Season stood motionless for a moment. It had been too easy. She knew there would be reprisals from her father and realized she hadn't heard the end of today's deed; still, she smiled. No matter how angry her father would be when he heard about what had occurred, she felt her heart lighten. She was free of Lord Ransford!
    The Lady Season turned slowly to face her accomplice and smiled slightly. "Tom, I hope you do not believe I am promiscuous as did Lord Ransford. I doubt that you understand why I acted so brazenly."
    "But I do, my lady. We all on Chatsworth know that you ain't been happy." He grinned rakishly. "If you don't mind me saying so, and meaning no disrespect, my lady ... it was a real pleasure to help you out."
    Season couldn't help but laugh at his bold reply. "Be that as it may, Tom, I have brought trouble down upon your head. My father will not be well pleased when he finds out what happened here today. It would be well for you to be gone from here when he returns home."
    Tom ran his hand through his sandy-colored hair. "Well, my lady, I have this powerful itch to see Dublin. My father has long had his mind set on me visiting my aunt who lives there."
    Season nodded, wishing she had somewhere to hide from her father's wrath. As she walked out of the stable, she watched Lord Ransford's departing coach roll down the driveway. She knew he was on his way to London to see her father.
    Tom came up beside her, and they both watched the coach until it was out of sight.
    "I suppose after today my reputation will be ruined," Season observed softly. "It seems a high price to pay for one's freedom."
    "No one will hear about today from me, my lady," Tom stated loyally.
    Season smiled inwardly as her spirits began to soar. It didn't matter what trouble resulted from today's actions. Whatever happened, whatever price she would have to pay, being rid of Lord Ransford was worth it. She gazed at the winding tree-lined roadway, where only the dust created by Lord Ransford's departing coach remained as a grim reminder of his visit.
    A cold wind was blowing, and a light snow had begun to fall. Season lifted her face to the sky, feeling free and light-hearted at last. She wouldn't worry about the kind of punishment her father might choose to inflict on her. Nothing he could do to her would be as bad as being forced to marry Lord Ransford!

 
     
    4
     
    As it happened, Season had to wait in fear and uncertainty for a fortnight before her father finally came to Chatsworth. During that time, the castle was unusually quiet; even the servants seemed to be on edge and spoke only in whispers. No one mentioned the incident that had taken place in the stable except Season's personal servant, Molly. The maid had tended Season since birth, and she said things to Season that no one else would dare express. Molly had not