The Perfect Bride by Brenda Joyce

Author:Brenda Joyce [Joyce, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HQN
Published: 2007-11-25T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

WHEN BLANCHE HAD LEFT, he limped to the door and shut it. Then he simply stared blindly at it, his mind reeling.

He had never expected a marriage proposal from Blanche Harrington. She had to be mad to even begin to think him suitable as her husband. He was dark, she was light. She was good—too good for him. And she could do so much better!

He realized he could not breathe adequately. He was undone. Because a marriage to such a woman was almost a dream come true—except he did not harbor such dreams, not anymore.

Shaking and shaken, but not as angry, he swung to the window and stared blindly outside. Here in the country, they got along well. Clearly, the friendship they now shared had caused her to think so insensibly. But in town? They would not get along there. He would disappoint her, let her down.

And a marriage of convenience? A marriage of economy and separate lives?

His temples throbbed. His disbelief grew. He did not want a genuine marriage much less one of convenience or economy! And only a fool would think to lead a life separate from a woman like Blanche Harrington—and he was no fool. If he accepted her offer, he would wish to be with her as much as possible, these past few days told him as much.

He tried to analyze the situation with some calm. He despised society and he always had. It was not a secret; everyone knew. That would never change—he was a simple man, with simple tastes. And Blanche knew it! She had not been thinking clearly.

Yes, they were friends. He was pleased to know she was fond of him—she had just stated so. He was more than fond of her. And there was passion. It had only just begun, but clearly, she felt an attraction for him. But friendship and some desire on her part, as well as his desire, did not indicate a successful future. For if he chose to stay in town, if he somehow defied his very nature, if he forced himself to fit into society, no matter how he tried, eventually he would fail. There was no way he could please the ladies and gentlemen of the ton. Even if he wore a facade of charm, it would only last so long. He was not a conversationalist and he was neither charming nor witty. Besides, everyone already knew the truth about him.

And he would hate his life if he lived in town. He was already bitter—he could not imagine becoming more so. But he wouldn’t hate it entirely, because she would be the bright spot in an otherwise dark existence. She would be that drink of water in the midst of a hot desert.

He suddenly imagined being the lord of Harrington Hall. He imagined a conversation with his steward in the library, and then his wandering through the endless rooms and halls, only to come upon Blanche—his wife—as she conversed quietly in a salon with her callers.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.