Read Online The Madcap Marriage by Allison Lane - Free Book Online Page B

apparent sincerity meant nothing. Alex had always sounded sincere, even the day he’d poured out his love and devotion between searing kisses and passionate caresses, swearing she was the most beautiful, most fascinating, most exciting miss in the realm. Two days later, he’d abandoned her without a word.
    She could believe Rafe’s fury. He harbored a stubborn streak. If Hillcrest had truly sent the notice without warning, Rafe would see red. But that didn’t mean that he opposed the match, only that he wanted to make his own decisions. If Hillcrest hadn’t been so heavy-handed, Rafe might have wed Alice long since. They’d known each other for years and might be deeply in love – like Clara’s husband and his impoverished neighbor.
    Which boded ill for the future. She did not want a man who preferred another. In truth, she wanted a husband who loved her, though she could hardly cavil on that score. She had wed Rafe solely to escape Steven and Dudley, so there was no question of love on her part, either. Yet a loveless marriage was a far cry from one to a man who loved another.
    But there was no point in continuing this discussion. Rafe would deny an attachment regardless of his feelings, justifying the lie as necessary to protect her delicate sensibilities. So she must take every word with a grain of salt.
    “What does the solicitor say?”
    “Sir Steven was right. I’m your guardian. But Alquist never mentioned you.”
    “Why?”
    “I’ve no idea. How well did you know him?”
    “I met him once or twice as a child. We lived in London in those days, but callers rarely came to the nursery. He visited Audley a few times, but I was away at school.” Or not allowed to mingle with house-party guests. “He did not attend Papa’s funeral. And if he sent condolences, I did not see them.” The situation seemed surreal. What fate had thrust her into her guardian’s arms?
    “He sent condolences. He would never neglect a duty, even if he didn’t care, but it was not like him to leave me responsibilities without warning. Granted, he was in good health and expected to live many years, but he was a stickler for planning ahead.” He sighed. “We can ponder his motives later. Are you ready to face the dressmaker?”
    She nodded.
    “Good.” He bit his lip. “Hillcrest’s announcement is bound to cause trouble, but we can minimize the scandal by addressing it after our marriage announcement appears tomorrow. I hope to wrest an apology from the editors for today’s mistake, which will make washing the family laundry in public unnecessary.”
    “That seems reasonable.”
    “Thank you. So you will remain Miss St. James for today?”
    She nodded. Keeping the scandal to a minimum might also keep her tarnished reputation from coming out. Something else she must warn him about…
    Later. So many things must wait until later.
    Steven’s voice echoed. Notorious fortune hunter .
    If they were to build any sort of partnership, Rafe must learn to know her first as an individual, not as an heiress. It was the only way to protect herself. Only an honest commitment to each other would keep her safe. Unless he cared, other emotions could rule – like greed. So she must do everything possible to win his heart, while praying she could trust him.
    * * * *
    As Rafe escorted Helen downstairs, he cursed his stupidity in forgetting that Paul would collect today’s paper along with breakfast. He should have hidden it until he’d made his confession. He’d known the damned thing would cause trouble.
    But instead of explaining over breakfast, he’d turned coward, dawdling as he searched for words that would make his idiocy sound reasonable. Now it was worse.
    He’d made a muck of marriage already. Despite his long-stated desire for an intelligent wife, he’d treated her like a widgeon.
    He’d been wrong. She might be a country miss, but her eyes had gleamed the moment she’d spied the papers. She’d turned first to politics and