The Dangerous Love of a Rogue by Jane Lark

Author:Jane Lark
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780007594665
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2015-01-08T12:03:07.194000+00:00

Chapter 20

Mary watched Andrew as he stood before his mirror, tying his cravat.

He’d laced her corset and now she waited with her back turned so he could button up her dress.

“I shall be only a moment.” She watched him look at his reflection as he secured the knot, and set it just so. Then he turned to her.

His fingers brushed against her bottom and then her corset as he slotted each little ivory button into place.

They’d spent a quiet afternoon over the chessboard.

It was easier to believe they could form some sort of an acceptable marriage from this mess when he behaved like this. She had pulled herself together after he’d left this morning. Whether he loved her or not, he was her husband. She had made this choice, she had no option but to live with him, and therefore she must make their marriage work.

“There you are.”

As he finished Mary caught sight of her image in his mirror. She’d been unable to do anymore with her hair than she’d done earlier. She’d merely twisted it into a knot.

She turned to the small bag in which she’d put her personal items and jewellery. She searched out a pretty silver comb and looked in her mirror to position it in her hair, to make it look more ornamental. Then she found out a necklace with a small silver cross which her father had bought for her.

“Here, let me.” Drew took it and looked at it for a moment before setting it about her neck.

The loose ring on her finger called its presence, she had kept her finger curled a little all afternoon so it would not slip off, but then earlier Andrew had tied a thin band of leather about it so it did not slip.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, apart from my shawl.”

It lay on the bed. He turned to pick it up, then set it about her shoulders. At the same moment Mary heard a knock strike the door downstairs.

“That will be my parents and John.”

“Perfect timing then.”

“Yes.” She was about to hurry away.

“Mary.” He lifted his arm. “Let me walk you down. What time will you return?”

“I am not sure, possibly midnight, or perhaps after…”

“Then I shall come home before midnight. I shall be here when you return.”

She felt as though he liked her at least. She knew he liked her body, but she thought he liked her company too.

A vast chasm stretched between like and love though.

They walked down the stairs in silence.

One of John’s footmen waited at the door. He stepped aside as Andrew gripped her arm and led her out.

A footmen held the carriage door open, waiting to help her, and within she could see both her father and John watching Andrew, with accusing eyes. Andrew stiffened, his fingers gripping her arm a little more firmly, before sliding to hold her hand instead, to steady her, as she climbed the step into the carriage.

“Goodbye. I hope you enjoy your evening.”

She glanced back at Andrew and saw a genuine look of good will.

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