Love Match by Jo Noelle

Author:Jo Noelle [Noelle, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Box Press LLC
Published: 2019-01-17T06:00:00+00:00

They arrived earlier than they intended the next morning. As they waited in the salon, Gerard heard women’s voices outside the door.

“I get the duke, and you can have the earl’s son. He’ll inherit someday,” Olivia said.

“I’m not bargaining with you,” Layla’s voice answered calmly.

“You don’t need to. I’m well on my way to engaging his heart,” Olivia said.

A sick feeling overwhelmed Gerard. He had done nothing to encourage Layla’s sister.

A gloved hand pushed the door open wider, and Layla stepped inside first. Both women stood, slack-jawed, framed in the doorway. Gerard felt the same way as he gazed on his wife. The rose colored dress she wore flattered her in every way, from her creamy skin to her curves and tiny waist. The gentle bell-shape of her skirt swayed becomingly as she continued to walk into the room.

Layla recovered first. “I’m sorry we kept you waiting. We thought we’d be here first and waiting for you.”

“We were early.” Gerard approached the women from Layla’s side and extended his elbow to her before Olivia could think of what he was doing. He heard a little gasp from that direction, but didn’t turn his gaze from Layla. “Shall we go? You might want a wrap. There’s quite a chill to the wind.”

As the ladies went to gather their coats, Gerard considered what he hoped to accomplish. Even with James and Olivia along, Gerard still hoped to have a conversation with Layla about moving to his home. How could he start it? I’d like you to come live with me. No. She knew he didn’t want her. She also didn’t know his feelings were changing and his purpose was too.

They didn’t know each other yet. Maybe—I’d like you to live at Norham Castle so we can get to know each other. That was true. I’d like to see if our marriage can be a happy one. His heart thumped with that thought. He wanted happiness for her and for himself. He didn’t have to question if they would marry, but if they would be happy together or make each other utterly miserable.

Part of the marriage contract was that the gambling debt was forgiven, but his father had piled up other debts, gambling and otherwise, that made money scarce. Still, he wouldn’t accept the dowry until he knew Layla would be happy at Norham Castle.

The road was heavily rutted from frequent use by farm wagons as the couples rode together toward Melrose. “I thought it would be nice to ride out and see the ruins of Melrose Abbey. Unless that’s a bore. Then you might suggest another location,” Gerard said. He could hear James talking with Olivia in the seat behind them. He was glad to have James along so Gerard could talk with Layla.

Layla shook her head, and her eyes closed for a moment before she replied, “We’ve never been there. I’d like to see it.”

It had seemed hard for her to admit that. Gerard wondered how secluded the young women had been growing up.

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