His Virgin Widow (Rakes of Mayfair Book 1) by Melinda Barron

Author:Melinda Barron [Barron, Melinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blushing Books Publications
Published: 2018-02-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

The wedding went off without a hitch, considering it was put together in less than seven hours. Raymond put up a token argument about Lord Essex ‘ruining’ me, but you could tell he was thrilled to be rid of me.

Sarah found a beautiful lavender gown that looked wonderful with my dark hair. Layla and Martin were our witnesses and Lords Beaton, Cannonberry and Ellington were in attendance.

For the wedding dinner we ate roast duck at Lord Ellington’s home, and then attended a crush put on by the Duke of Waterfield. Our appearance brought a round of applause and hearty congratulations from those attending. From everyone except Geoffrey Edwards. The scowl he gave me seemed overly done, just because he was upset that he would not be able to accompany me to the play Saturday evening.

People who ignored me two days ago lavished me with praises about my dress, my hair and my jewelry. Lady Chesterfield herself told me that my lavender gown “was exquisite. You must give me the name of your dressmaker, my dear. Perhaps we can take tea together tomorrow or later in the week?”

“Why, Lady Chesterfield, I’m surprised you’d invite a suspected murderess to tea,” I said loudly. “Isn’t that what you thought of me a few days ago, before my marriage to Lord Essex?”

Lady Chesterfield blustered and blushed. “My dear, a most unfortunate misunderstanding, you must forgive me.”

I prepared to tell her she could seek her tea companions elsewhere when a dark voice boomed out behind me.

“Indeed, Lady Essex, were you ever cleared in your first husband’s death?” I turned and stared at Geoffrey Edwards. The sarcasm in his voice when he said Lady Essex still hung heavy in the air.

“Perhaps your latest husband should have contacted the local authorities before he rushed into a hasty marriage with you. It seems they never quite decided what happened to Bernard Hudson. But perhaps you’re just very talented, and news of your ‘virginity’ was highly exaggerated.”

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. Several of the ladies standing near me gasped. The hatred in Geoffrey Edwards’ eyes caused me to take a step backward. Before I could answer him, Lord Essex grabbed him from behind, swung him around and slammed his fist into his face. Edwards fell to the floor and only Lord Cannonberry kept my husband from pulling him up to continue pummeling him.

“You will retract your statement sir, or we will continue this disagreement at another time, with our seconds,” George’s voice was full of rage.

Edwards wiped blood from his mouth and turned an evil stare my way. “My apologies Lady Essex, I wish you many happy returns.”

He turned and stormed from the room. All eyes had turned our way. George shrugged away Lord Cannonberry’s hold on him. The anger in his face caused me to cringe. When he looked toward me, however, his face softened. He pulled me close and ran his fingers gently down my face.

“Are you all right, my sweet?”

I nodded, unable to say anything.

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