Read Online Invitation to Ruin by Bronwen Evans - Free Book Online

you.”
    Anthony frowned. “What has that got to do with anything?”
    “Like any mother, I do not wish you to be unhappy.”
    “I beg your pardon?” Anthony could not believe what he was hearing. “Since when have you ever been concerned with my happiness? You have left it a bit late haven’t you?”
    She hung her head. “I realize you have not forgiven me for deserting you when you were young, but your father was a hard man. If I created any fuss at his treatment of you, he threatened to take Richard, too.”
    Anthony tried to hide the emotions her words provoked, but he could not help the note of pain in his voice. “And we could not have precious Richard hurt, could we?”
    A flash of anger entered her eyes. “Richard was not strong like you. You take after your father. Richard was softer. Your father would have broken him.”
    Anthony leaned forward and through clenched teeth said, “What do you think he did to me?”
    The anger left her eyes. “He did not break you. You’re your own man. You survived. That’s why selecting the most appropriate wife is so important. The right woman, a woman you could come to love, will be the making of you.”
    Anthony blanched. Love?
    “There has not been enough love in the Wickham dynasty. I was hoping you’d be strong enough to change that.”
    Anthony looked at his mother as if she’d gone mad. He rose from his chair, a sudden chill unsettling him. Love was something he’d never contemplate. Love and hate, the two sides of the same coin, both led to heartache. It was far safer not to feel at all. If you succumbed to real emotions, either love or hate, you could be manipulated or hurt. Care for nothing and you had nothing to lose.
    His father had taught him well.
    Anthony came to a halt in front of his mother’s chair. “I wouldn’t know love if it dropped down from heaven on angels’ wings. I think you have overestimated me, Mother.”
    She stared at him for a moment, and then she shrugged herdelicate shoulders. “It hardly matters now. You have made your choice. She is very beautiful of course. If it wasn’t for a lack of dowry, I’m sure she would have had several proposals of marriage by now. As it is, Lord Dashell has been very attentive. He has no need of money. He must like the girl.”
    Anthony’s frown deepened. Beautiful? He sat down with a bump. He didn’t want to acknowledge Melissa’s looks. Her beauty was a gaping flaw in his plan. When not being compared with Cassandra, Melissa was indeed pleasing to the eye. This marriage would only work if he treated Melissa’s looks dispassionately. He could not come to desire his wife.
    His temper piqued. He did not like the prick of jealousy burrowing into his side. Dashell? He balked at the thought she preferred another. She’d told him she’d been dreaming when he came to her bed. Was it Dashell she dreamed of? Had he destroyed her hopes of a match with the man she loved? No. Melissa had told him she loved no one. Had she lied?
    Anthony’s hands fisted on his thighs. God help him. No, God help her. She was his. For some unknown reason, he did not want her dreaming of another man. Why was beyond him. He wasn’t territorial about his women, and he did not care enough for any of them to care about fidelity. Why was the thought of Melissa with another man choking him with anger?
    He did not like the feelings pouring through him. The sooner they were wed and he could send her away from him the better. He’d simply find a new mistress, and then Melissa would be forgotten.
    His fists slowly relaxed.
    “I have always wanted a daughter, a young lady to dress and introduce to Society.” Turning to him, her face animated, his mother added, “She only has her brother, doesn’t she? Her parents are dead. I shall have to take her in hand immediately. She will need a whole new wardrobe. Her clothes are not fashionable enough for a countess. Her brother has not taken very good care of her.”
    His mother was