The Captain's Christmas Bride by Annie Burrows

Author:Annie Burrows [Burrows, Annie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-12-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

‘He’s...’ She swallowed. ‘He’s got engaged to...to Marianne.’

‘And...’ His brows drew down into a frown so deep they almost met in the middle. ‘And you are upset about this? Even though you knew there was never any chance of a reconciliation, now you have married me?’

‘Yes, I’m upset. But not because—’ She waved a hand between them. ‘It’s because I’ve just discovered they’ve been...been carrying on in secret for years. And using me as cover. And generally betraying me in every conceivable way. And making a fool of me. When I thought they were my friends!’ She pressed one hand to her forehead as if she could stuff the terrible thoughts back into place.

‘I don’t see why they couldn’t have told me in the first place. I would have supported them, then. Made sure they could have met each other. Given Marianne time off, or chaperoned them, or...or anything they wanted! They didn’t have to make me think that David...that David...’

It was no use. Her emotions were in such turmoil she couldn’t possibly sit still a moment longer. Getting to her feet, she paced across the floor to the fireplace. Whirled round.

‘When I went to London, for my first Season, he...he...’ A wave of humiliation crushed the rest of it up against her teeth.

Alec made for the dressing table, retrieved the brandy glass, and brought it across to her.

‘In vino veritas,’ he said, handing her the glass.

He wanted her to be able to speak of David’s perfidy? And Marianne’s? And was urging her to take Dutch courage?

Very well. She accepted the glass, and took a swift gulp.

It burned the back of her throat, making her wheeze.

Then hit her stomach in a warm rush.

Alec didn’t press her to continue. He just stood there, watching her with that grim face of his. That grim, yet utterly trustworthy face.

‘You’d never speak to a girl of seventeen, on her way to her first Season, of all her faults, would you? And imply she was shallow? And tell her that she was bound to forget her childhood friends, and come back married to some wealthy, titled fop? And make her feel that if she did, it would break your heart? Would you?’

He shook his head.

‘I thought he was making a declaration. Instead he...’ She closed her eyes and shuddered. ‘I don’t know what he was doing. What made him try to prevent me from getting married, when even then, apparently, he and Marianne had an understanding.’

She took another gulp of the brandy. She didn’t know whether it was the drink, or telling her husband about David, but whichever it was, she was starting to feel less hurt, and more angry. And with the fresh rush of anger came a startling clarity of thought.

‘Actually, perhaps I do,’ she said, setting the brandy glass down on the mantel with a snap. ‘If I’d married, I would have moved away. And probably taken Marianne with me, because I’d promised she’d always have a home with me.

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