The Hotelier's Bride (The Balfour Hotel Book 2) by Amanda Davis & Blue Pines

Author:Amanda Davis & Blue Pines [Davis, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Pines Romance
Published: 2019-01-03T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“Lady Elizabeth seems to be adjusting well to our ways,” Charlton commented as the coach made its way back toward the hotel from Luton. Occasionally, the cab would lurch precariously as the horses lost their footing against the ice, and the interior was freezing, despite the heavy blankets bestowed upon both father and son.

It was not a long journey back, but it seemed to be taking twice the time as usual because of the dangerous conditions.

“She is,” Xavier conceded, a smile touching his face as he thought about his fiancée. Every day he felt that he was growing closer to her, and he found himself looking forward to the upcoming wedding. He had missed her terribly that day. It was the first they had been parted since her arrival almost a month earlier.

“Your mother and the duchess seem to have built an unlikely friendship,” Charlton said, and Xavier cast him a stare.

“Have they? I imagine they have found common ground in the wedding preparations.”

“Perhaps,” Charlton replied in a most evasive way. Xavier’s eyes narrowed slightly as he waited for his father to complete whatever it was that was on his mind, but Charlton said nothing else.

They continued homeward in silence for a long while, cringing as they slid along.

“Are you quite certain you wish to marry, Xavier?”

Xavier whirled his head to stare at his father in disbelief.

“I should hope so, Father. The event will occur in three days.”

“I would loathe to see you regret a decision made in haste,” his father said shortly.

“It is not a decision made in haste, Father. I have grown quite fond of Lady Elizabeth. Perhaps I was propelled into action in hopes of stopping Elias, but I must confess, the match is ideal.”

“Do you believe she feels the same?”

Xavier tensed.

“I have no doubt,” he said coldly. “And I will not have you or Elias starting with your blasted theories about her intentions. She is a noble, honorable woman, who will make a fine wife.”

Again, Charlton fell into quiet, but Xavier continued to stare at him stonily.

“Father, Lady Elizabeth has done nothing to warrant your suspicion. I have spoken with Mother about her peerage, and she is not anyone but who she claims to be.”

“I am aware of that,” Charlton agreed. “When you refused to investigate the matter, I had my barrister check on your behalf.”

Xavier felt a rush of anger surge through his bones.

“You have no right!”

“The matter is done, Xavier. There is nothing to fear on that front. Moreover, the duchess is also who she claims.”

“A waste of time and funds,” Xavier snarled. “If it is not Elias overtaking our hotel, it is you throwing our money away on trivialities.”

“There is still something about Lady Elizabeth that concerns me,” Charlton insisted. “I cannot say what it is, but I will not rest easy knowing you have married her.”

The statement was blunt and struck Xavier in his heart like a blade.

“I will not terminate the engagement.”

“I did not expect that you would,” Charlton sighed.

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