The Wedding Game by Christine Merrill

Author:Christine Merrill [Merrill, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Two years earlier, when Amy had decided that she would never marry, one of the reasons had been to avoid situations just like the one she was in. It had been clear that a future with any of her suitors was likely to end in disappointment.

They all began with the same fine words: compliments, protestations of devotion and promises of future happiness. If she encouraged them, they followed with smouldering gazes, lingering kisses and furtive touches in dark corners. But no matter how ardent they were, their heads turned should another young lady walk past. Only a fool would expect fidelity from them, since many kept mistresses, even as they looked for wives.

If pressed on the subject, they would deny it, of course. They would claim to live and die on her every breath. But when questioned in detail there was no indication that their affection was anything more than physical attraction. They did not seem to know her, nor did they show an inclination to learn. The impression they gave was that courtship was a man’s game. But once a marriage had taken place, it was the wife’s job to learn the husband’s likes and dislikes and cater to them accordingly.

If she was to be forced to live her life for another, she’d decided it would be better to live for Belle than for someone who was likely to forget all about her once the thrill of the chase had faded. There was no subterfuge in her sister. Belle loved without condition and without end. If she ever caused pain, she had the sense to regret it and apologise. She was worthy of Amy’s devotion.

Ben Lovell was not. He did not even bother to pretend that his ultimate interest lay with the woman he courted. He had kissed Amy one night and offered for Belle a few hours later. Then he had gone back to seducing Amy immediately after he’d got his acceptance.

Even worse, she had wanted him to do it. The steady heart that she had devoted to caring for her beloved sister was beating quicker at thoughts of the worst man possible. Even knowing that he was engaged to the one person in the world she had vowed to protect, she had allowed him to raise her skirts and prove to her how little she knew about what really went on between men and women. Worst of all, she regretted that she’d sent him away before they had finished what they’d begun.

‘Amy!’

She looked up to see her sister holding out her needlework for inspection with the same hopeful smile she wore every day. Perhaps this time her work would be satisfactory. ‘Did I do it right?’

‘Let us see.’ Amy kept her focus on the fabric, unable to look her sister in the eye. ‘This bit is all right, but the last will have to be undone.’

‘Better, then,’ Belle said and put her sewing aside to scratch Mellie’s ears.

‘Better,’ Amy lied and began to rip out the stitches.

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