A Ring of Midnight Orchids by Jackie Williams

Author:Jackie Williams [Williams, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-09T04:00:00+00:00

Angelique frowned at the three sleeping men. And then at the ring sitting on her finger. She slid the heavy embellishments from her palm to face her. Too stunned to say anything when Lucas had snatched at her hand, she now stared at the stones decorating the ring. Sapphires that matched its owner’s eyes, gleamed back at her.

A rustling behind her had her dropping her hand quickly, hiding the ring in the folds of her skirt as Henry and Mrs. Granger stepped over the sleeping vicar and walked away from the side table.

“Mrs. Granger and I just signed the papers. Congratulations.” Henry spoke nervously.

“Congratulations?” She repeated and she shook her head as if waking from a daze. “Perhaps you can help me. I am not sure I understand what just happened?”

Henry twisted his fingers together as he stared hard at the floor.

“Em, er, I think you just married his Lordship.”

Angelique let out a loud laugh. She had thought the same, but it was clearly a preposterous notion. Her laughter echoed back at her as if confirming her doubts. She became serious again when the sounds faded leaving only the three men’s snores to reverberate about the chapel.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Henry. I cannot possibly have married Lord Trenchard. He has been asleep most of the time I have been here, and is clearly still slumbering now. I don’t believe he has spoken one word to me since I arrived.”

Mrs. Granger joined them. She glanced over at the group of sleeping men.

“Not that his Lordship. The other one. Our his Lordship. Lord Caruthers.” She pointed at Lucas’ long, sprawling body to clarify exactly whom she meant.

Angelique felt the blood drain from her face. Marrying Pierce would have been awful enough. Marrying Lucas would be a disaster. The man had as good as kidnapped her for the sake of his friend. Though he had denied it, he had intimated that she was not wanted by anyone, least of all him. She took a quick step back as if distancing herself would help the awkward situation.

“I can assure you both that I did not marry anyone, especially not Lord Caruthers! Besides, they are all in their cups, and no vows were made.” Her voice trembled with agitation. The ring dug deep into her fisted palm. This couldn’t be happening. It was all a dream. It had to be. Perhaps she had fallen from Molly and was now lying unconscious in bed. That had to be the answer, because anything else was impossible.

The imaginary Henry scratched his head.

“But you definitely said, I do. So did his Lordship. And you promised to obey him,” he added, nodding at Mrs. Granger for support. The woman nodded back firmly as if that last fact sealed the bargain.

“Heard it all with my own ears, and it’s written on the licence.” Mrs. Granger affirmed as she placed her hand on Angelique’s arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze as she continued. “Been saying that he needs a wife for a while. Perrydale has been empty for far too long.

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