Read With This Kiss for Free Online Page B

Prentisse.” She waited a beat, then gathered her courage and continued. “My father was Nathaniel Prentisse.”
    “Ah.”
    “Captain of the
Mystic.”
    A slight pause, then, “Yes.”
    Again, not the reaction she had been expecting. Cool and calm, markedly imperturbable. There was no shock, no appalled recognition. He sat with his cup and saucer balanced on one knee, the epitome of elegant, aristocratic ease. She searched his eyes but saw nothing within their gray depths but mild interest. He was merely waiting for her to continue.
    Julia had prepared for this moment for over a week. But in that instant all her carefully rehearsed speeches abruptly evaporated, leaving her nothing but a collection of jumbled thoughts and worn-out phrases.
    Finally she managed, “I know you’re interested in the facts surrounding these letters only as they pertain to you, but there are circumstances relating to the background that can’t be explained without further detail…” Aware how foolish she must sound, she stopped abruptly, sending him an apologetic smile. “If you’ll indulge me for just a moment?”
    “By all means, Miss Prentisse, do continue.”
    She hesitated, searching again for the right words. “There is just one additional issue that should be addressed, Lord Barlowe. What I am about to disclose is of a rather sensitive nature. I should like your word as a gentleman that the matters discussed here tonight — whatever the outcome of our talk — will remain entirely confidential.”
    “Very well. I give you my word.”
    Satisfied, she nodded and stiffened her spine, facing him squarely. “You are aware of my father’s background?”
    “I am aware of what was printed in the papers.”
    “Good. In that case, I’ll be brief. A year ago my father was convicted of smuggling. I won’t defend his actions here, except to say that following my mother’s death he began to drink excessively. I believe that clouded his judgment. Despite the rumors you may have heard to the contrary, he was a good man.” She began to expand on that sentiment, but thought better of it and continued briskly. “We lost everything. My father was reduced to selling our home and moving here; I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle. Shortly thereafter my father died.”
    “My sympathies.”
    The words had a perfunctory edge to them that Julia did not miss. She brought up her chin and coolly met his eyes. “I relate these events not to engage your sympathies but to adequately disclose my past. I believe it only fair that you know exactly with whom you are dealing.”
    He bowed his head in a gesture of mild contrition. “In that case, may I say that I appreciate your excruciating honesty.”
    This was not going well. Not at all. But she had no choice but to continue. “As I mentioned, I am presently living with my aunt and uncle. I’m afraid my presence is rather a burden on their household. You see, they have two daughters who are also of marriageable age. The fact that I have no dowry is compounded by the scandal that has been attached to my father’s name. As you might imagine, there is no legion of suitors waiting at the door to beg for my hand. It has made things rather difficult for us all.”
    “In what sense?”
    “The shame of my family’s disgrace has unfortunately tainted my cousins’ reputations. Naturally, my uncle is rather anxious to see me married off so that he may attend to securing the futures of his own daughters. To that end he has managed to uncover three suitors who have asked for my hand, despite my obvious shortcomings.”
    “My sincerest felicitations.”
    “I refused them all,” she returned flatly. She suppressed a shudder, pushing aside the memory of her uncle’s fury,
later.
If her plan failed tonight, she would deal with him later. “My uncle, however, has not conveyed my sentiments to the gentlemen involved. He has informed me that I must choose one, or…”
    “Or?”
    “Or he will choose