A Groom For Ruth (Blizzard Brides 28) by Parker J. Cole

Author:Parker J. Cole [Cole, Parker J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-30T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

If you must.

His words were something like a catalyst to opening a Pandora's Box of things she'd rather wished were lost to the annuals of time.

Lauren knew all about this but no other soul on Earth did.

Until now.

Ruth took in a shuddering breath. She wiped at her face taking the moisture away.

"To begin, I need to let you know that I was almost married."

David's eyes bulged. "Almost married? Isn't it a yes or no?"

The corner of her mouth twisted. "You would think so, wouldn't you?"

He nodded. "Go on."

"Seven years ago, I met the man who would almost be my husband. His name is Archibald Wakely. He is the son of one of the richest men in Philadelphia. Unlike the other man I'd known, Archibald was different."

"In what way?"

"He was a very ugly man."

At David's look of consternation, she allowed herself a very small smile. " I I have never been attracted solely to attractive men, David. Looks can only go as far as you let them. He was a short man and portly, what made up for his lack of masculine beauty was his mind. An incredibly intelligent man. He was the kind of man to hold captive an audience. Many people flocked to his house for the most stimulating conversation. I remember when I met him I could listen to him talk all day."

The memory of sitting at Archibald's feet in his mother's sitting room, with the fire crackling in the hearth, and Archibald telling her and filling her mind with all sorts of things was a warm one. Despite all the pain Archibald had given her, she would never regret their conversations.

" I was seventeen at the time. The fact that a young girl like me had captured the eye of a man like Archibald had thrilled me."

"How old was he?"

"He was fifteen years my senior."

"Goodness! Don't you think that was a little bit too old?"

"I didn't care at the time. All that mattered was that I had captured his attention. And it was me that he wanted. He courted me for about a year. Any and everything he wanted me to do, I did. I molded myself to his wishes . And in return I was put into the most prestigious circles as his betrothed."

Her palms were slick with sweat. She wiped them on her skirt and continued telling David about the most painful part of her life.

"One day, about three months before we were to wed, Archibald called me to his home. It was a strange day for sure. His space parents had gone to some function or another and the servants had gone as well except for one or two. It was the first time we had been without a chaperone or in the company of others. Archibald looked that day, eager and a bit cruel although I did not know it at the time."

"Ruth?"

"It isn't what you think, David. And to be fair I knew he wanted to anticipate our vows. He had told me well enough and often enough.

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