The Care and Feeding of Your Captive Earl (What Happens In Scotland Book 3) by Kate McKinley

Author:Kate McKinley [McKinley, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance
Publisher: Kate McKinley
Published: 2016-07-17T18:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Matthias lay awake well into the wee hours of the morning with Gwen tucked against him, sleeping like an angel. Turning his head, he buried his nose in her hair and inhaled deeply. Her scent comforted him, drawing him into a world of ease and simplicity.

Something in his chest pulled tight, like the string of a bow, and he had the sudden feeling that he’d bleed his veins dry, if only to please her. Never before had he ever felt this way about a woman. He’d never allowed himself to. It was too dangerous.

But Gwen wasn’t like the women of his acquaintance. She was charming, intelligent, a loyal friend. There wasn’t a lady in London who would risk her reputation to save a friend from her own folly—except Gwen.

Obstinate, reckless, glorious woman.

He placed his palm on the flat of her stomach, savoring the feel of her warm skin. Even now, his child could be growing inside her, taking root just beneath his hand.

She would make a brilliant mother. Her kindness, her loyalty, would be a credit to their children. Unlike his own mother.

His mind was cast back to his childhood—to the nights cowering in his closet as his parents fought just a few rooms away. Their angry, violent voices carried across the entire house, echoing in the darkness.

He glanced down at Gwen, running his fingers through her golden hair.

He was such an idiot. What was he doing?

This scene of wedded bliss was just an illusion. What could he possibly accomplish by allowing himself to feel, pretending the inevitable wasn’t going to happen?

He would hurt her.

Pain and misery were as foreseeable as the rising tides. It was in his nature to hurt women, simply by being himself.

Disentangling himself from Gwen, he rose from the bed and dressed himself quickly. He needed to get out, clear his head.

In minutes he was walking briskly down the street, the cool morning air seeping in through the fabric of his coat. The sun had not yet risen over the horizon, and only streetlights illuminated the deserted road. The clopping of horse hooves echoed from several streets away—the lone occupant of the still, peaceful morning.

He found himself at White’s. Inside, it was quiet. There would still be men in the billiards room or above stairs in the card room—even at this hour—but he wasn’t here for conversation. Instead, he took a seat in one of the morning rooms, settling into a wing chair by the fire. One of the waiters came in and brought him his usual—a snifter of brandy—before quietly disappearing again.

Tracing the lip of his glass with his forefinger, he stared into the flames and cursed himself for letting it get this far. Last night, with Gwen in his arms, he’d almost believed in the fairy tale. He’d allowed himself to get swept up in the fantasy of a life with her. A family.

But how long could that last?

How long before she discovered who she had been forced to marry?

* * *

It was midmorning when Gwen awoke.

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