Read Online The Marriage Bargain by Michelle McMaster - Free Book Online

Did you think I was going to let you make both of us the laughingstock of London?”
    “Meaning?”
    “All of the ton knows about this girl you found in the gutter, Beckett,” Cordelia said, as though Isobel were not standing right there beside him. “Yet, I want you to know that I’m willing to overlook this bit of madness. You can have the marriage annulled immediately and we will have a proper wedding, not some farcical ceremony in a rundown church in the most unfashionable part of London.”
    Cordelia adjusted her gloves and looked at Beckett as if all were decided. “I must say, Beckett, I had no idea what lengths you’d go to in order to win me back. Truthfully, I am flattered. But it really was a bit much, don’t you think, darling?” She glanced at Isobel. “A fine countess she’d make!”
    “Why thank you, Miss Haversham,” Isobel said sweetly. “Coming from one of my husband’s oldest and dearest friends, your approval means even more to me than you could know.”
    Cordelia glared and opened her mouth to say something, but Beckett interjected.
    “I, too, thank you for the compliment, Miss Haversham. You are right, of course. Isobel is now Viscountess Thornby, and will soon be the countess of Ravenwood. My new wife shall undoubtedly make me the envy of the ton.” Damn, but he was enjoying this.
    You can’t be serious, Beckett,” Cordelia snapped, vainly trying to regain her composure. “You and I were to be married. Be assured—I won’t be put aside so easily.”
    “I’m afraid you already have been.” Beckett looked over at his true bride. Isobel would make quite a countess indeed. She was beautiful and witty. What more did one need?
    Cordelia’s green eyes shot sparks at him. “You can’t do this to me, Beckett. You made me promises.
    And I intend to have what is rightfully mine!”
    “Nothing of mine ever was or will be yours, Cordelia. You were quite willing to break our engagement when you found my inheritance to be no more than a few shillings. And your feelings on the matter are worth less than that to me now.”
    “But surely you knew that I wasn’t serious about breaking our engagement, Beckett. A woman never is.”
    “So I mistook your intentions when you threw the ring in my face?”
    “A lovers’ quarrel, nothing more. We can put that nonsense behind us. And I will be your wife, as you’ve always wanted.”
    “It is strange to think it, Miss Haversham. I did want that once. But I have chosen my bride, and I intend to keep her,” he said, glancing down at the woman beside him.
    “But—” Cordelia looked disbelievingly at Isobel and then back at Beckett. “But, I must be your wife. I must be the countess of Ravenwood!”
    “I’m afraid the position has been filled. Good day, Cordelia,” Beckett said, touching the brim of his hat and leading Isobel toward their waiting coach.
    Beckett handed his new wife into the plush interior and stepped in beside her, settling onto the burgundy velvet seat. He realized that his heart was beating faster than usual, but it was a satisfying feeling. He felt that a chapter of his life finally had been closed. And another one was just beginning.
    Beckett glanced at Isobel and smiled. Her engaging brown eyes looked at him curiously as the coach jerked forward.
    “My apologies for that dreadful scene, my dear,” he said. “What is it they say—hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?”

    “But I thought it was she who had scorned you.”
    “Well, my dear, Cordelia was only interested in my money, and when it turned out that I had none—” He laughed, but it was a bitter sound. “Now that I am to become an earl, she has changed her mind once again.”
    “But you have not?”
    “What—changed my mind about Miss Haversham? Certainly not,” he said stiffly.
    “I thought her quite beautiful.”
    Beckett chuckled cynically. “As beautiful as a rose. With rather vicious little thorns. And having got too close before, I’m