The Duke's Bride by Teresa McCarthy

Author:Teresa McCarthy [McCarthy, Teresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Historical, Regency, Teen & Young Adult, Historical Romance, Inspirational
Amazon: B00M4IK4KC
Published: 2014-07-24T00:00:00+00:00

Jared stood over Roderick and smirked. “You, Your Grace, are a sight. All I can say is thank goodness you were not shot in the heart. Jane would have had my head.”

“You have had much more to say than that,” Roderick said with a snarl. Pain lanced through his back like a thousand knives stabbing him. He was recuperating in the grand bedchambers of some Parisian hotel and Jared was laughing at him.

“I cannot walk,” he said, scowling. “You find that amusing?”

Jared shrugged and pulled up a chair. “But you can talk. That makes up for much.”

“Confound it! If I could stand, I would box your ears. I have no idea why I even let you marry my sister!”

Jared’s expression became serious. “Devereaux’s son is dead. Your shot took him down. You saved me. I failed to see him in the alley. I owe you my life.”

Roderick knew Jared would have done the same for him. He did not want this man’s praise or the man’s guilt. Roderick was not certain he would walk again, and neither of them would discuss it. They circled the question as if it were a loaded cannon ready to explode. Not talking about it was fine with Roderick. He wondered if Jane were better off with Argyle, after all.

“Yes, well, I saved your life,” Roderick snapped. “Now, get out of here and get me a blasted glass of wine!” He had been a monster the past week, especially living on lemonade and broth. But Jared had taken it all in stride.

His friend frowned. “Sorry, no wine for you. Doctors’ orders. You will walk. I will see to it.”

Roderick raised a black brow in surprise. Ah, finally the subject of him walking again was out in the open. “Do not feel guilty. I would have done it for anyone. Believe me, you are not that special!” And that was the blackest lie Roderick had ever told. He loved this man like a brother. “Besides,” he growled. “It was either you or me. I figured Emily would kill me if you died, so I was saving two lives with my efforts. Yours and mine.”

Jared couldn’t control his laughter. “I reasoned that.” Then he looked serious, his jaw tightening. “The doctor said a few more days, then you can travel back to England.”

“I won’t be going with you. I will not see Jane like this!”

“I don’t think you have a choice, Your Grace.”

Roderick stared at the sunlight shining through his window. Jane. What was she doing now? How could he return to her half a man? “Oh, I have a choice. I am not going back to England until I can walk. Is that clear?”

Jared shot from his seat. “Ah, I see now. You think Jane won’t have you if you cannot walk, is that it?”

Roderick said nothing. It was not that Jane would not want him. She would smother him. But if she were not married to him, she could be free. She would not have to wait on him hand and foot.

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