A Hint of Scandal by Boyce Kelly

Author:Boyce, Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kelly Boyce
Published: 2017-06-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Alex had often accused James of being a glutton for punishment, a description he had summarily rejected. A rejection he now must reconsider. Clearly, his friend had had the right of it. What other explanation could there be for what had just transpired between he and Temperance?

Insanity?

He stopped cutting through the stale loaf of bread the owners of the cottage had left behind. Perhaps that was it. Perhaps he had lost his mind. He did feel a bit crazy. His emotions had tangled themselves six ways to Sunday where Temperance was concerned and he didn’t know where to begin to disentangle them.

Nor did he want to.

That was where the glutton for punishment kicked in.

Because he had to extricate his emotions. If he did not, it would be Ruth all over again. He wasn’t sure his heart would survive that a second time.

The problem was, he believed in marriage. Held it in high esteem. He had witnessed time and again the power it held, how it enriched the lives of those who embraced it. His parents had loved each other deeply. His father had been fortunate enough to find that kind of love twice in his lifetime. Family had been everything to him. So much so, he’d given his life to save his wife and daughter. He hadn’t been successful in the first respect, but he’d saved Henrietta and for that, James would be forever thankful.

Because that is what you did when you loved someone. You gave them everything you had. You protected and you revered and worshiped and you remained ever grateful.

The only problem with that was, when it did not turn out as you hoped, when those feelings were not reciprocated, the pain was so great it almost destroyed you.

As James had learned the hard way.

He was no fool. He was well versed in how his heart worked. It fell hard and fast and gave very little warning beforehand. When he had met Ruth, she had been newly presented and attending her second ball. He’d taken one look at her and been entranced. He’d had one conversation with her and been head over heels. It took all of three weeks before he’d determined he wanted her to be his marchioness. Beautiful and vulnerable, flirtatious yet fragile. He would spend his life protecting her and taking care of her. Making her eyes light up and her smile never falter.

But it hadn’t turned out that way, had it?

No. It hadn’t.

Instead, she had chosen Alex, and James, wishing to see Ruth happy above all else, had stepped aside. Alex was the better man, after all. More charming, more daring. A future duke. And James had wished to see them both happy.

And for the first little while, Ruth had been happy. Until the worst happened and their first son died. Something broke inside of both of them then. Something James could not help either repair.

He bit back the memory. Ruth was gone. He could not change that. But Temperance was here. And

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