want to know.”
She knew it was true. Since the day, nearly three months ago, when she had quite suddenly come to realise the nature of her value to her uncle, and to the gentlemen who came to borrow money from him, she had begun to see the world in a very different light. She understood now what dangers lurked behind the seemingly innocent smiles and glances offered between a man and a woman, the friendly touch of a hand on her arm. How quickly these turn into something more, crossing the lines of propriety when no obstacles are set in place to check them. To such things, her uncle had turned a blind eye. If it meant keeping business then who was he to deny a man some little reward for his trouble?
Roger had always treated her with respect, but she was no fool. She knew very well that, underneath it all, he was little different from the others. For the names of the card rooms, and the gaming houses, and those other houses, all of which she ought to have known nothing, were the same, whether they were mentioned in reference to her cousin’s exploits or to her uncle’s more practical business dealings. Perhaps they were all the same at heart, these “gentlemen”. But Roger would never hurt her as others had done. He would never force her to give him what he desired. She knew that. But neither could she freely give what had already been taken. Not to him. Not to anyone.
“What is this?” Roger said, observing the letter that had been dropped upon his entrance and which now lay haphazardly on the floor. He picked it up and, with a look, made his request.
She nodded her answer.
Roger unfolded it and read. Finishing it, he laid it down and looked up at her in astonishment. “What do you make of this?”
“What do you think?” And she really wanted to know.
“It looks to me as though your darling uncle has attempted a last gasp attempt to buy back his soul, if you want my opinion. It should be a relief to you, truly. You may live your life as you like now.” He examined her a moment. “You should be happy.”
“With my family, everyone I’ve ever known, looming over me, ready to prey upon my good fortune? Do you think my aunts will be happy to know that my uncle overlooked them in favour of me?”
He rubbed at his forehead. “And so what do you propose to do?”
“What can I do? I’m not yet twenty-one. I’ll still require a guardian for another year or more. A year, Roger! My aunts will insist, and what then?”
Roger sat down beside her and watched. A dark coil of hair fell across one shoulder as she lowered her head to hide the tears that would come, however hard she tried to stop them. He brushed her hair from her face, and a tear or two as well.
“Dear Imogen?” he said, that pleading look once more in his too penetrating eyes.
Imogen moved to free the strand of hair he’d just taken between his fingers. “Roger…please.”
“What other choice do you have?” He was clearly trying to be patient, but the effort showed. “Besides, of course, the one I’ve been persuading you to consider these many months now.”
“Which you know you don’t mean.”
“I know no such thing. Imogen, I am in earnest!”
“So am I.”
“You will not marry me?”
“I can’t.”
“Of course you can,” he said with a wave at the letter that now lay on the side table. “You can do whatever you like now.”
“The money, Roger. It complicates things.”
He rose to his feet and began pacing before her. She waited for his remonstrance, for some vain assurance. It did not come.
“I don’t mean to accept it. I don’t want it.”
Roger started, his eyes wide as he faced her. “Are you mad? This is what you’ve been waiting for. For heaven’s sake, take it and set yourself free!”
“I can’t take it and have any respect for myself. It’s payment.”
Roger stopped and turned to her once more, a look of disgust upon his face. “No. No it isn’t,” he said, his hand slicing the air as if scolding a wayward child. “Not like that. It’s—”
“They’ll wonder why he gave it to me,” she said interrupting him. “I’ll never have a moment’s peace. They’ll wonder why and they’ll find out if they can, though I’m sure they know enough already.”
“Drake Everard was a vulgar brute and deserved to
Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 1 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 2 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 3 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 4 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 5 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 6 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 7 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 8 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 9 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 10 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 11 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 12 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 13 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 14 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 15 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 16 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 17 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 18 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 19 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 20 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 21 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 22 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 23 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 24 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 25 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 26 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 27 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 28 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 29 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 30 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 31 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 32 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 33 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 34 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 35 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 36 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 37 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 38 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 39 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 40 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 41 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 42 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 43 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 44 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 45 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 46 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 47 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 48 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 49 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 50 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 51 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 52 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 53 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 54 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 55 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 56 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 57 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 58 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 59 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 60 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 61 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 62 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 63 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 64 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 65 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 66 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 67 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 68 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 69 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 70 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 71 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 72 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 73 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 74 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 75 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 76 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 77 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 78 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 79 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 80 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 81 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 82 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 83 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 84 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 85 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 86 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 87 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 88 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 89 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 90 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 91 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 92 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 93 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 94 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 95 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 96 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 97 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 98 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 99 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 100 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 101 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 102 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 103 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 104 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 105 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 106 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 107 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 108 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 109 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 110 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 111 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 112 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 113 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 114 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 115 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 116 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 117 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 118 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 119 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 120 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 121 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 122 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 123 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 124 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 125 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 126 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 127 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 128 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 129 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 130 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 131 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 132 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 133 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 134 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 135 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 136 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 137 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 138 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 139 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 140 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 141 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 142 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 143 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 144 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 145 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 146 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 147 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 148 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 149 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 150 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 151 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 152 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 153 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 154 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 155 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 156 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 157 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 158 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 159 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 160 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 161 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 162 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 163 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 164 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 165 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 166 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 167 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 168 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 169 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 170 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 171 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 172 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 173 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 174 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 175 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 176 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 177 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 178 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 179 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 180 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 181 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 182 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 183 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 184 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 185 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 186 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 187 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 188 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 189 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 190 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 191 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 192 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 193 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 194 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 195 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 196 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 197 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 198 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 199 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 200 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 201 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 202 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 203 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 204 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 205 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 206 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 207 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 208 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 209 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 210 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 211 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 212 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 213 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 214 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 215 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 216 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 217 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 218 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 219 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 220 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 221 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 222 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 223 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 224 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 225 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 226 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 227 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 228 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 229 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 230 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 231 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 232 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 233 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 234 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 235 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 236 Of Moths and Butterflies - By V.R. Christensen - Page 237