Persuading Patience by Emma V Leech

Author:Emma V Leech [Leech, Emma V]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2018-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

“Wherein our hero gets desperate and does something rash.”

“I’ve made arrangements for the church, and explained things to Mother. She’s excited to meet you, of course. I’ve told her I will bring you the day before the wedding so that you can meet and get to know each other.”

Patience listened to Stephen talking, going through all the arrangements he’d made, none of which she’d had the slightest input on. He was just being kind, taking the stress out of the situation for her, she reasoned, even though a stubborn voice inside of her insisted it was the kind of high-handed behaviour she detested in a man. Yet she was all on edge now, afraid that she was searching for reasons not to marry him, to throw herself at August instead when good sense would give her every reason to believe Stephen was the right choice.

She made herself go through all the scandalous stories she had heart about August, the affairs, the gambling, loose women … He’d even been named in a Crim Com, in a salacious scandal where he’d been accused of being Lady Norton’s lover. Was this truly the kind of man she wanted to marry, over a respectable gentleman who had been nothing but kind and courteous to her from the outset? She must be out of her mind to even consider it, and yet she did consider it. She thought of nothing else, and so it was that she almost missed Stephen’s next words.

“Of course, your step-sister and step-mother will return directly to Bath after the wedding.”

“What?” Patience replied, startled. “It’s rather a long journey for them to do right after the wedding, perhaps, Stephen.”

He narrowed his grey eyes at her, amusement in his expression. “A man does not want his mother-in-law in residence on his wedding night, dearest.”

Patience blushed, and was horrified to discover that the idea of a wedding night with Stephen filled her with dismay. Oh, damn August Bright. Why did he have to ruin everything by giving her false expectations of what life and love could be?

“Of course, Stephen,” she replied, trying to stop her voice from trembling and hoping he’d believe it was just maidenly nerves putting her all on edge. “I’m sure I’ll see plenty of them after that, of course. It will be so lovely to have them to stay with us.”

To her alarm, his face darkened further. “Darling girl, if you imagine I’m having people who are not even blood relations staying with us for weeks on end, you are quite wrong. Your step-mother would be bound to try and interfere in our lives and cause difficulties which will only upset you. No, Patience. You may think it hard of me, but I assure you, it is for the best. You are to be a married lady, with your own responsibilities,” he said, puffing up before her eyes with his own self-consequence. “Far better to distance yourself now and avoid any unpleasantness later, I assure you.”

Patience stared at him in horror, but Stephen just got to his feet.

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