Mistletoe Waltz by Alanna Lucas

Author:Alanna Lucas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: regency romance, forced marriage, romantic historical fiction, christmastide, compromising situations, dark secrets threaten happiness, desperate acts with disastrous results, magic of the season, the marquess has vowed never to fall in love, why is she unable to trust or love
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group

Chapter Seven

An uneventful day had come and gone. The clock in the main hall chimed twice; the hour was late by country standards. Marcus could not escape thoughts of Faith. His family had adapted easily—too easily—to her presence. Gulping down the last of the amber liquid, he slammed the glass on the desk.

Damn, what was it about her that he could not resist? He had no need for a wife. Would have been perfectly content letting the title, and all the headaches associated with it, pass to one of his cousins. Marcus could have denied marrying her, paid off her father. But for the life of him he couldn’t say no.

Ever since that first night they met, he had not thought of anyone else. Even after they were married and she came to Deer Park while he returned to London, he could not escape the thought of her. She consumed his waking moments and haunted his dreams. Her sweet nature and commitment to her role as marchioness almost made him believe that anything was possible.

He had written to his steward, inquiring how she faired. The response made him even more agitated. The staff loved her, and the tenants adored her. She was like a bright star on a dark and dreary evening. Even his dog had chosen her over him.

Marcus took the steps two at a time. He did not want to disturb her, only to ensure her safety. Reaching the landing to the family wing, he assured himself that it was only natural for a husband to want to protect his wife. I only want to know that she isn’t suffering through a nightmare. That’s all he wanted.

His conscience said otherwise. Their dance earlier in the evening only served to inflame his growing desire for his wife.

Once he entered his room, he thought twice about going to her. No, he didn’t need to see her. He would be back in London soon enough.

Sitting down in the large brown leather chair, he started to put his feet on the stool, then shot up and paced the length of the room. He paused for a moment, certain that he heard her cry out.

Silence.

Trudging his way to the window, Marcus pondered their relationship. Faith had become the wife he didn’t think he wanted. He still vowed to never fall in love, which would only lead to heartbreak. “I could protect her and make her happy without falling in love.” Most marriages of the ton had survived on far less.

He caught his reflection in the window. The black of night absorbed his image. He turned away. Rubbing the back of his neck, he paced back and forth, unable to control the inferno spiraling inside. In one heartbeat, his mind was made up.

Damn, he swore to himself as he marched to her suite. Once he crossed the threshold to Faith’s room, he knew there was no turning back.

Marcus was expecting Faith to be asleep, but instead she was sitting in bed sketching. A slender leg peeked from beneath the sensible white nightgown.

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.