Only Scandal Will Do by Jenna Jaxon

Author:Jenna Jaxon [Jaxon, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Historical, Regency
ISBN: 9781616503796
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Published: 2012-07-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

All too soon, the door opened and the minister entered in his black coat, white neckcloth and long stole. Kat’s heart thumped wildly in her breast, perhaps loud enough for the others to hear. But no one seemed to pay her any mind, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. She could do this. She would do this. There was no alternative. Her hands knotted into fists and she forced herself to relax them. Although the calm reasoning of earlier had fled, she vowed not to show the marquess her true feelings.

The clergyman entered, followed by Dalbury, whose dark eyes glittered in the candlelight. One look at his mouth, set in a straight, impassive line and her courage deserted her. Jack would have to fight him after all. She couldn’t do this. Couldn’t marry this stranger. Her breathing sped up into rapid little pants. Might fainting actually be a good thing? A fainting spell would stall the wedding for some time.

Reginald Matthews entered behind them, and somehow his presence grounded her as nothing else could have done. Whatever quality he possessed that calmed her, she blessed him for it. She exhaled slowly, and as Reginald neared, smiled and extended her hand.

“I was afraid I would be too late, my lady. I was held up at Bow Street an ungodly length of time.” He smiled back, raising her hand to his lips.

“Have I pulled you away from some interesting case?” she teased gently.

“Nothing could interest me more than your welfare.” He lowered his voice. “Are you sure you are well? I swear you needn’t go through with this wedding. I will...”

She put a hand on his arm. Telling him of the revelations would do no good, might even make him more determined to stop the marriage. Sadly, she could not allow that to happen. “I must do this, Reginald. Not just to save you and Jack from sure death,”–he made an impatient gesture as she continued steadily–“but because I gave him my word. Men must believe women creatures with no sense of honor,” she admonished him. “Do you think our word is worth less than your own? I must do the honorable thing and marry Lord Dalbury.” Her smile deepened. “And I thank you for coming to see me through it. Your presence means more to me than you might believe.”

“If you ever have need of me for anything, Katarina, anything at all, promise me you will seek me out.”

“I promise. But I hope my life will settle down now. I have just met Lord Dalbury’s sister, Lady Juliet, and I believe she will prove a cheerful influence.” She turned as Dalbury approached.

“Matthews.” He managed to make the single word civil, despite an underlying tone of hostility. “Good of you to come.” The expectant gleam in his eyes made her stomach plummet. It was time. “My lady, your aunt was unable to attend, but the rest of the party is here. Are you ready?”

She squared her shoulders and nodded, then took the arm he offered.

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