Marrying the Major: Passion and peril in Regency London (Unsuitable Matches) by Joanna Maitland

Author:Joanna Maitland [Maitland, Joanna]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Joanna Maitland Independent
Published: 2020-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

"But I do not understand, Emma," said Jamie. The whole affair was thoroughly perplexing. "It was Kit that you met in the garden and it is Kit that you are to marry. Or so Richard told me."

Emma shook her head, smiling brightly. "Richard has misled you, Jamie. Husbands do, I believe."

Jamie felt bewildered.

"It is true that I was in the garden last night and that Kit was there, too," Emma said. "But I promise you there was no assignation. Kit is very handsome, I admit, but not the sort of man who— Oh dear," Emma bit her lip, but she was smiling still, "I must learn not to cast aspersions on my future brother-in-law. What would the major say?"

Jamie was forced to laugh. "Emma, you wretch! You do it deliberately, I declare, to keep me in suspense. Shame on you!"

This time, Emma laughed aloud, though, to Jamie's ears, it sounded a little more high-pitched than normal. "Oh, I am sorry, Jamie. I will try to do better, I promise. It was just— Well, as I said, I was in the garden. That silly little Mayhew chit had been pursuing Kit all evening. She even followed him into the garden and so, unfortunately, she saw Kit kissing me. She then announced to all the world that Kit and I were lovers, and behaving in the most licentious fashion, to boot. There was uproar, naturally, especially as neither you nor your mama was there to curb Mrs Mayhew's malicious tongue. Not unnaturally, Papa was furious and insisted that Kit marry me, giving neither of us any choice in the matter. Papa was determined that we be married within the week. To stop the scandalmongering, you understand."

Jamie nodded. "But—"

Emma's smile broadened. "And then the major intervened. He said that Kit and I should not suit—which is perfectly true—and that I had better marry him instead. So I said I would. There. Now you have it all."

Jamie shook her head in exasperation at this bald narrative. It was so unlike Emma. She had always shared her thoughts and feelings with Jamie. "Emma, you know very well that you have told me nothing, nothing at all. Why was Kit kissing you in the garden, if there was no assignation? Why did Major Stratton offer to take his place? Do not pretend that he sacrifices himself out of brotherly love and duty, for that makes no sense at all. And why on earth did you decide to accept him? That is the greatest puzzle of all and I beg you will explain it to me. Kit is a better prospect, surely? He is young and handsome, whereas the major is—"

Emma laid a hand on Jamie's arm. "Hugo is the man I will marry, Jamie. I will not go back on my word."

Jamie was not prepared to give in so easily. "And what does he think of what passed between you and his brother in the garden? That might not bode well for your future together. Husbands

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.