An Affair of Honor (Rebel Hearts Book 2) by Heather Boyd

Author:Heather Boyd [Boyd, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LLD Press
Published: 2016-07-25T22:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Another night, another round of appearances to cement the belief in his happy marriage, which it surely was not since they had spent last night apart. At dawn William had woken to find himself alone in their bed, and he’d been furious with himself ever since. That Matilda had spent the night in the drawing room with only his coat for a pillow had made him ashamed that his disappointment had gotten the best of him.

He’d carried her to their bed, tucked her in without waking her, and quietly left to remove the evidence of her temporary sleeping arrangement before a servant discovered they’d fought—if he could call his childish snit any sort of argument.

Matilda had slept for most of the day and kept her own company once she’d risen. William was still trying to decide whether he should apologize for the bad kiss or not, but he had accepted he wouldn’t try to kiss her again anytime soon.

He didn’t like the way she looked at him so warily now.

William escorted Matilda into the Hamersley ballroom, feeling just a little unsettled by the tension between them and the loud crowd. He held tight to Matilda’s elbow as the noise of the ball washed over him, attempting to guide her through the throng. The walls seemed closer than usual, the colors and sounds brighter. Harsher. It was a crush, but he should be used to large gatherings. He’d enjoyed a very active social life during his shore leave and recognized many faces he knew well.

Lord Deacon appeared before him suddenly, almost out of thin air, grinning from ear to ear and laughing. “By the devil, if it isn’t itty-bitty Billy Ford. How good to see you again.”

That bloody nickname! Gods, he’d hated Deacon for that. He ground his teeth as he held out his hand, determined not to show his annoyance.

They shook hands, and Deacon stared at his face. “Damn, but that’s a horrific scar.”

“It is.” He turned his face slightly to show it, and for the first time he was glad to address the worst of his alteration. Deacon might be a bull in a china shop when it came to diplomacy, but he was always honest. William’s appearance caused everyone he met to pause, but few came right out and mentioned the change in his face. “But as a beautiful woman once insisted, better disfigured than dead. So here I am.”

Matilda shuddered, and he patted her hand in an attempt to soothe her. Her remark as he’d lay dying had been the turning point. There were good reasons to fight for his life, one of them stood at his side.

“And that’s a very good thing too. I would have missed you.” Deacon clapped him hard on the shoulder, and then his gaze shifted to Matilda, brows rising in expectation. His expression conveyed his appreciation of his view—Matilda’s quiet beauty never failed to turn heads, much to William’s annoyance. “So this is the woman who tamed you? I had heard the rumors of the marriage but could not believe it until now.

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