Fortune's Gamble by Diana Bold

Author:Diana Bold [Bold, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, Fortunes of Fate, Lisa Kleypas, Christi Caldwell, Regency Romance, brides of scandal
Publisher: Diana Bold
Published: 2019-04-25T04:00:00+00:00

WHEN CHRISTIAN ARRIVED at Riverbend Hall later that night, he couldn’t control the nervousness churning in his gut as he waited to be shown into the Earl of Marlborough’s office. The man had requested a private meeting with him before dinner, and Christian knew this was another important test. It seemed as though the earl had known Andrew better that Rebecca had.

Would he spot Christian as an imposter immediately? Would he ask questions of him he couldn’t answer? He’d poured over the marriage contract with Theo for hours before he’d left Trowbridge Manor, trying to familiarize himself with every detail.

At last, he was shown into his future father-in-law’s sanctuary, finding a man who was smaller and older than he’d been building him up to be in his own mind. He searched the man’s face, looking for both a resemblance to Rebecca and any hint of suspicion.

He found neither. The earl’s lined features in no way resembled Rebecca’s, and he seemed merely annoyed, not suspicious.

Before Christian had taken two steps, hand outstretched, the earl took a seat behind his desk, effectively showing that there would be no small talk and that he would not deign to shake his hand.

“When I gave you my daughter, I did not intend for you to run away to war for three years!” the earl snapped. “I expect to see a grandson before I die, by God! What have you to say for yourself?”

Christian thought to say that he’d been serving his country but bit his lip just in time. That was not what Andrew would have said, and with this man, perhaps more than with anyone, he had to try and stay as true to Andrew as possible. “I do not have to answer to you,” he said instead, trying to inject the words with an hauteur that he couldn’t actually imagine feeling.

The earl sat back with a huff but didn’t seem surprised by Christian’s reply. “Well, you’re back now. I suppose that’s all that matters. But we must get this done as soon as possible. I will tolerate no more delays.”

Christian said nothing, sensing that it had not been a question.

“I’ve arranged for a special license,” the earl continued after a beat. “I would like the wedding to take place on Saturday. I’ll make all the arrangements. You only need to show up.”

Today was Wednesday. Christian’s heart thundered in his chest. This was too soon. He and Rebecca hardly knew each other, and he still hadn’t decided whether he wanted to go through with this. Once he and Rebecca were wed, he was stuck in this charade forever. Plus, he had just started to consider how terrible it would be for her if the truth came out after they were wed. It would ruin her, and she didn’t deserve that. He didn’t want any of his mistakes to ever come back to haunt her.

“I just returned,” Christian protested. “Rebecca and I need a little more time to get to know each other.”

“That’s ridiculous,” the earl snapped.

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