Notorious Deception by Adrienne Basso

head. “I find it extremely difficult to believe Diana is an adventuress. She just does not fit the part.”
    â€œWhy not?” he shot back. “Just because she is beautiful does not mean she is also honorable. Your head has always been too easily turned by a pretty face, Tris. I know only too well how a lovely exterior can conceal a faithless heart.”
    Tristan grimaced. “Can you not finally put Charity to rest, Derek? It has been almost two years,” he said, his voice low and sympathetic.
    â€œI was under the impression I had done just that,” Derek murmured and curled his lips cynically. “Charity would probably find it vastly entertaining to know how her memory occasionally haunts me.”
    â€œCharity is a fool, Derek,” Tristan stated vehemently. “She should have never chosen Winchester over you.”
    â€œShe might finally be having second thoughts about it, Tris. After all, I am now an earl, and Winchester is merely a baron,” he responded mockingly.
    â€œYou are well rid of her,” Tristan insisted as he had countless other times.
    This was not the first occasion he and Tristan had discussed Miss Charity Worthington, and even after two years, the memories still wounded Derek. He had yet to understand how he, a normally sensible and levelheaded man, had become totally besotted with Charity, seemingly overnight. Hapless fool that he was, he had allowed his happiness to overflow when the lady had claimed to return his affection with equal ardor, and with pride and confidence, he had pressed his suit to Charity’s father. Baron Worthington, a fair and unpretentious man, had looked with favor upon Derek’s offer of marriage. Although untitled, Derek had a long and noble lineage; moreover, although he was a man of modest means, he possessed ambition. He had a proven head for business and a strong, determined character. Derek knew that he was exactly the sort of man that the baron sought for his youngest daughter.
    Charity, it appeared, had had other ideas. When Derek had informed her of their impending marriage, she was clearly horrified. She had no intention of throwing herself away on an untitled man, no matter how well turned out. She demanded, in a voice full of spite and venom, that he immediately withdraw his suit so she would be free to peruse other offers of marriage.
    Stunned, Derek had complied, still reeling from the shock. How could he have so grievously misjudged the angelic beauty? But Charity’s scheming knew no bounds. After Derek reluctantly broke the agreement he had made with her father, Charity immediately circulated the rumor that Derek had jilted her, rallying the sympathies of the ton around her and turning respectable society against Derek. Charity had assumed an air of wounded fragility and shy innocence that successfully awakened the chivalrous instincts of Lord Winchester. They were married a month after Charity had refused Derek, amid all the pomp and circumstance Derek had come to despise.
    Though his love for Charity had been of a short duration, it had had a profound and lasting effect on Derek’s attitude toward women. He vowed that he would never again allow himself to be so easily taken in by a pretty face. He now avoided any entanglements with unmarried women of society and instead confined his relationships with women who were willing to engage in brief sexual liaisons.
    Although reluctant to enter into marriage, Derek placed duty and honor above all things. Since he had assumed the title, it was his responsibility to provide an heir. He planned on doing that at the appropriate time, already deciding the qualities he would seek in a mate. She would be plain, but fair, young, no more than 18 years old, of a sweet temperament, and, he hoped, fertile.
    Once the obligation of producing an heir had been fulfilled, Derek was fully prepared to conduct his life separately from his wife. He would always treat his wife with