An Arranged Betrothal with a Roque: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Sally Forbes

Author:Sally Forbes [Forbes, Sally]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Unable to stand without the world tilting, Clayton pulled out his flask from his bedside table after David helped him dress for the trip to Durington Estate. It was three-quarters full, and he emptied it in a matter of seconds. He was ashamed of himself for doing the very thing that had brought such disappointment to Honoria’s eyes in the hallway. But he knew that, had he done nothing to fight the sickness, he would have done something far worse and more shameful as the carriage plodded along.

A few minutes later, the room finally stopped spinning. His head still throbbed, and his stomach still felt raw and unpleasant. But it was the best he could do. He scrubbed his face and splashed handfuls of cold water in his eyes. It did little to cure the puffiness or redness, but it helped him look less waxen and clammy. He rinsed his mouth vigorously, so that his new wife wouldn’t know that he had had more to drink. Then, he rushed down the stairs, hurrying to the entryway, where she was waiting patiently for him.

He helped her into the carriage, sitting across from her and praying that the bit of scotch that he drank would be enough to help him survive the trip. It would take a few days, and he wished he had refilled his flask and brought it with him. But how would he ever be able to sneak a drink with Honoria right in front of him the whole time?

The first few minutes of the journey were silent. Clayton’s head thrummed in time with his heartbeat, and his stomach kept threatening to introduce Honoria to the liquor he had to drink before they departed. He cursed himself again for having indulged so much in drinking the night before such a long trip. For the first time, he wondered if his father hadn’t been right all along about him needing to grow up and be more responsible.

He couldn’t bring himself to look directly at Honoria, but he stole sideways glances at her. She seemed as uncomfortable as he was, and he knew she must be disgusted by him. Not only that, but he was sure she was very upset at having to leave her family behind in London to move all the way to the countryside. He hadn’t even had the nerve to tell her that it wasn’t his demands that they do so. Nor did he think he ever would.

He was caught very much off guard when Honoria spoke.

“What is Durington Estate like?” she asked. Her voice was so soft, but he was so surprised that she spoke that it took him a moment to answer.

“I haven’t seen it in many years,” he said. He wasn’t ready to talk about his late brother’s estate, and he hadn’t expected her question.

“Why?” she asked.

Clayton shrugged.

“Had no cause,” he said, a bit too abruptly.

Honoria’s eyes widened, and she turned her head to look out the window. Clayton felt instantly guilty. The last thing he wished was to talk anything about his late brother.

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