The incidents Mr. Dalton had referred to were not just similar to the ones she’d experienced with Callum. They were identical. Each had been mentioned, which made it impossible for her to think it coincidental.
A stabbing sensation pierced her heart. Callum must have spoken to Ada for this to have been included in the story. He was Westcliffe’s friend, but Ada was Emily’s friend, and Emily could not imagine Ada doing something so hurtful.
Unless…
Emily stilled as she thought back on her conversation with Ada a few weeks prior. Ada had asked if she would review a book. Not once had she said it was she or Anthony who’d penned it. Emily had made that assumption entirely on her own.
She leafed back a few pages and read from there. The style was horribly familiar. She’d not been wrong when she’d imagined Sutherland’s voice belonging to Callum. His personality shone through in every aspect of the writing. There was no doubt in her mind.He’dwritten this.
It suddenly made sense. He’d told her he enjoyed writing, but he’d also told her he’d never been published. Emily gritted her teeth while fighting the urge to scream. Yet another thing he’d lied about.
She tossed the book aside, not caring that it landed on the floor with a thud.
Her mind raced. She had to break off the engagement. Which meant that everything she’d done to make her grandmother happy would go to waste. But how could she marry a man who’d used her as inspiration for one of the most dislikeable characters in his book?
The unhappiness she felt in the moment was crushing. Her dear grandmama was dying and just when she thought she’d found the strength to get through it, Callum revealed himself to be hateful and vindictive.
Well, she could be vindictive too.
She crossed to her desk and had just taken her seat when someone knocked on the door.
“Yes?”
Larrow entered. “The Duke of Stratton is here to see you, my lady.”
Emily gulped down a breath as the pain in her breast intensified. She would have welcomed his visit an hour ago. For a second she wondered why he’d returned so soon after his departure, only to realize she did not care.
“You may tell him I’m not at home.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Emily waited until she was once again alone before retrieving a crisp piece of foolscap from her desk drawer. She dipped her quill in the inkwell and started to write.
Seductive Scandal
A critical review.
Despite being passably enjoyable at times, it was impossible for me to finish this novel. The author has crafted a fantasy where an innkeeper’s daughter marries an earl. While this might have been an amusing tale if tackled correctly, the plot became too ridiculous and the characters too inconsistent for it to provide an enjoyable read. It is not a commendable story but rather one that may help pass the time if one is truly pressed for some entertainment.
I give it one cup filled with lukewarm tea.
Emily set her quill aside and blotted the page. Once this had been accomplished, she folded it, sealed it, and addressed it to her editor. Georgina, who often saw to such matters, would deliver it toThe Mayfair Chroniclein the morning if Emily asked it of her. Which she wouldn’t. To do so would be hateful and wrong.
She stared at the sealed review for a moment. It had only made her feel marginally better while she was writing. Now that she’d finished, she just felt more wretched. Which wasn’t fair at all. This was Callum’s fault. He was the awful person who’d gone and betrayed what she’d thought they had. But it was a lie. She’d been tricked into falling for someone whose dislike of her was so extensive he’d chosen to put it in writing.
How could she have been so stupid?
Papa had been right, but she’d been too blind and too eager to think the best of Callum to see what was suddenly so very clear.He’dcontactedher.He’dmade sure they spent time together.He’dbeen the first to show hints of affection andhewas the one who’d used the pretend courtship to his advantage. He’d proposed in front of her dying grandmother, leaving her with no other choice than to accept.
He’d cunningly forced her hand while making it look like he actually cared about her.
What sort of twisted person did that?
And he wasn’t done yet. Emily was certain of it. He’d dismissed her dowry, so money wasn’t his end goal. She shook her head. The only thing she couldn’t work out was his motivation. If he truly disliked her as much as his writing suggested, why shackle himself to her for the rest of his life?
Unless he was even more diabolical than she imagined.
A woman became a man’s property once they married. He could sell her off if he chose to do so, or simply humiliate her until she feared leaving the house. In short, he could make her life hell once he put a ring on her finger.
