Faithful Traitor by Jill Stengl

Author:Jill Stengl
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

nine

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother,

and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Ephesians 5:31

“I do.” Georgette spoke her vows and felt Mr. LaTournay’s grip on her hand tighten. She cast a glance at his face. He swallowed hard, and his dark eyes glistened. Not once did his attention stray from the Reverend Mowbray’s sermon. His tanned face made his beard and hair seem lighter—or perhaps they were sun-bleached. Whatever he had been doing these past many weeks, he had spent much time out-of-doors.

Georgette wanted to be angry with him for his secrecy. She wanted to be cold and unattainable and make him pay for his desertion. She wanted to dream of her mysterious lover and hope he would rescue her at the last moment. During the last days of Mr. LaTournay’s absence, she had imagined spurning him upon his return. In her mind he groveled at her feet and begged her forgiveness, promising never to look upon another woman if Georgette would take him back.

How could a man be wicked yet appear honorable? Georgette had only to catch sight of him and her vengeful plans faded into oblivion.

At Georgette’s left side, her mother sobbed into a handkerchief. Biddy stood nearby, gaunt and dignified in gray bombazine. Georgette could not see her father on the far side of Mr. LaTournay, though she heard him clear his throat. The Reverend Mowbray’s gentle voice belied his long, wrinkled face.

Georgette’s head ached. Sweat dampened her wedding gown. Did Mr. LaTournay even notice her gown? She had hoped his eyes would brighten when she entered the drawing room. To her profound disappointment, he hardly glanced her way.

If only Marianne stood by her side. Marianne understood the heartbreak of loving an undeserving man.

At the minister’s cue, Mr. LaTournay slipped a ruby ring upon her finger. His hands shook. The froth of neck cloth above his waistcoat also trembled. Georgette dared not look higher. He was shaking! The imperturbable Mr. LaTournay quaked like a nervous lapdog.

The minister pronounced them husband and wife. For better or for worse, Georgette was officially Mistress Jean-Maurice Antoine LaTournay. Her husband faced her while the Reverend Mowbray prayed. Mr. LaTournay’s thumbs caressed the backs of her hands, and she heard him draw a shuddering breath.

Wishing to reassure him, she laid her cheek on his knuckles, then pressed their entwined hands to her heart. With all her being, she wanted to care for him and bring him happiness. As soon as the prayer ended, he would read her devotion in her eyes.

But when the minister closed his benediction, Georgette’s father gripped Mr. LaTournay’s arm and pulled him aside. Both men signed and sealed documents. Georgette watched as her new husband placed a wrapped parcel in her father’s outstretched palm. Her father’s eyes held an avaricious gleam.

Her mother tugged at her arm. “Do not embarrass your father, Georgette. His pride is injured enough without you watching this transaction. He would have preferred offering a dowry for you to accepting a bride price.

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