Read Online His Jilted Bride (Historical Regency Romance) by Rose Gordon - Free Book Online Page A

intoned, his lips twitching. “Besides
having two vicars present, we're all family. And if that doesn't
convince you, you can take comfort knowing a similar conversation
has happened with all of us.”
    Elijah doubted that.
    “ You look like you don't believe me,” Paul continued. “Say,
Alex, do you recall—”
    “ Yes,” Alex bit off. “I was trying to explain a very
fascinating discovery I'd made about hedgehogs and you three—” he
nodded toward Andrew, Paul and Uncle John— “kept asking questions
about how Paul and Liberty were rubbing along.”
    “ If I recall correctly, I gave you leave to continue
discussing your findings on hedgehog mating,” Paul
grumbled.
    Benjamin Collins, Duke of Gateway, the
husband to his other cousin, Madison, snapped his head around to
face Alex. “You wouldn't still happen to have those notes you took,
would you?” he asked hopefully.
    Uncle John groaned and turned toward
Alex. “If you do, please keep them to yourself. Nobody here,
especially him—” he pointed an accusing finger over to the duke—
“wants to hear about hedgehog procreation or any other scientific
discovery you might have made, of that, I'm quite
certain.”
    Alex sighed. “Why is it every time
we've crossed paths these last five years you ask a battery of
questions about my science experiments?”
    “ No reason,” Benjamin said with a shrug, his blue eyes holding
not a clue to what he was thinking.
    “ Enough of that,” Andrew said, twisting his lips.
    “ No, I'm truly interested,” Alex argued. “If he wants any more
of my science bits, he'd better—”
    “ Alex, setting aside the fact that other than Caroline,
Benjamin is the only person of your acquaintance who seems to find
any interest in your 'science bits', I wouldn't complain. At least
it gives you someone to discuss your experiments with without risk
of sending them into a state of unconsciousness,” Andrew said.
“Besides, we're not here to discuss either of you two or any of
your science discoveries, but to prod Elijah until he reveals the
lie he's keeping from Lady Amelia.”
    Elijah almost snorted. They could
“prod” him all day long, if they'd like, he had no intention of
telling them anything. He shrugged. “There's nothing to
tell.”
    “ Sure there is,” Uncle John said. “You're lying to your wife.
Now, just tell us why and we'll help you decide what you should
do.”
    Elijah cleared his throat, his eyes
momentarily locking with Henry's. They exchanged a look: a simple
message and understanding, if you will. “My marriage is not up for
discussion,” Elijah said coolly.
    “ No matter,” Benjamin said, repositioning a gold pillow behind
his back. “You've already said enough. You've lied to your wife. As
a man who...er...might have done something similar for reasons I'd
rather not say, I might be able to offer some advice.”
    All eyes went to the duke. A more
scheming, cryptic individual Elijah had never met—outside of those
he'd been paid to see, that is.
    “ Why would you lie to your wife?” Alex asked Benjamin without
a hint of emotion.
    Benjamin shrugged. “It was for the
best.”
    Sir Wallace, Elijah's brother-in-law
snorted. “I haven't been married nearly as long as you, but even I
know it's not in anybody's best interest to lie to one's
wife.”
    Elijah shifted his gaze to Sir
Wallace. Though a little unusual with his habit of counting when
uncomfortable and his somewhat irritating need for perfection, he
seemed a decent sort. Elijah hadn't always thought so, of course,
but he'd had plenty of time to observe and speculate and now
understood just what it was about the man that made Sir Wallace an
excellent match for his sister, Edwina: he was genuine. He didn't
lie or cheat to get his way. He wasn't the type to grow angry over
trivial matters, or even the majority of important matters, either.
But neither did he have a menacing bone in his body. Gossip could
fly about the man faster than a swallow