Birthed Vow by Jali Henry

Author:Jali Henry [Henry, Jali]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781739758226
Publisher: Jali Henry

19

Of course, it made perfect sense. Beaufort was the right kind of stock. He was richer than God, single, and he was a Lord. If the Marquise wanted a husband, he’d be a good match for her. Never mind that his moral compass was so far off course it was in another galaxy… but then, to Spirit Realm aristocrats, there was nothing wrong with his morals. In fact, they shared them. Did the Marquise know about Beaufort’s product-of-rape baby in the womb of my friend Phoebe? Would that make a difference to her? My thoughts raced as I tried to think of a way I could work this situation to my advantage without giving away who I really was.

“I too wish to marry.” Beaufort explained, flashing what he probably thought was a roguishly handsome smile at me. He may as well have bared his fangs for all the effect it had on me.

I sensed Nik’s jaw clenching next to me. But as my physician it would be improper for him to comment. I couldn’t resist stealing a fleeting glance at him. But what I saw caused my anxiety to rise to epic levels. Because Nik’s jaw wasn’t clenching at Beaufort’s comment. His gaze was trained on the tankard of blood in front of him. A thin sheen of sweat had broken out on his lip. We had to get this dinner over quickly, before his resolve broke and he guzzled the entire vessel.

I pushed my plate away, leaving a few canapés untouched. Wasteful but necessary to maintain the charade. “I find it hard to believe a man such as yourself has remained unwed.”

“Oh, I wasn’t always a bachelor. Sadly, things ended between me and my last wife after we lost our only child.” A flicker of pain crossed his features and for one moment I almost felt sorry for him.

But then I remembered how many children he’d taken from other people and my sympathy evaporated.

“That was a long time ago and I’m ready to find another bride. Someone to share my life with.”

This was my chance and I grabbed it. “Someone to give you an heir?” I asked.

His smile dropped. The temperature in the room grew colder and his gaze contained a touch of menace. Beaufort didn’t like it when people were unaware of his achievements. “I already have an heir.”

Aunt Lydie frowned at me. “Have you not heard? Hughie is the sire of the Trinity baby. The Realm is abuzz with excitement about it.”

I blinked and corrected myself. “Of course. And you can hardly marry the mother.”

“No.” Beaufort clarified. “The arcane wench is just a birthing vessel. Aside from being a sworn enemy of the Spirit Realm and Draculs, she lacks the breeding I require in a wife.”

“Do you want someone to give you more children, in addition to the Trinity baby we’re all waiting for?”

“I want a big family.” He nodded. “My mistake before was in only having one child. Siring more children with a Spirit Witch will be easier than it was with my last wife - she was a vampire.

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