The Marriage Mishap. Judith Stacy

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       Chapter Two

      “Breathe…That’s right. Just keep breathing.”

      Haley lifted her head, and the room spun around her before strong hands pressed her onto the pillow again. She blinked, and a face came into focus, freezing the image in her mind. She moaned. “I thought you were a nightmare, but you’re real, aren’t you?”

      Adam sat down on the edge of the bed. “Not every woman considers an evening with me a nightmare.”

      Haley moaned again and flopped her hand onto her forehead. “I’m happy for you, truly I am, Mr.—” She looked up at him. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”

      Annoyed, he sat up straighter. “Don’t you remember anything that happened?”

      “On the contrary, the point where you announced our marriage is forever etched in my mind.” Haley shook her head slowly. “As if I’d been run through with a sword, a rusty sword—a dull, rusty sword with ragged edges.”

      “You must remember…” Adam frowned and waved his hand across the bed.

      Haley shrugged helplessly. “No.”

      “Not even when you and I…?”

      She shook her head.

      “Or when you—”

      “I did something?” Haley’s eyes bulged. “What did I do?”

      “You did it three times—I’d think you’d remember,” Adam grumbled, and rose from the bed.

      “Well, do you remember?” she asked challengingly.

      He glared at her with wounded pride. “And who says marriage doesn’t have its tender moments?”

      “Are you sure we’re really married?” Haley sat up, and the room spun again. Adam grasped her shoulders and steadied her; his hands felt strong.

      His gaze captured hers. “Maybe you should lie down.”

      That was how she’d gotten into this mess in the first place. Haley looked up, and for an instant felt lost in his green eyes, brilliant as emeralds and nearly as mesmerizing. She pushed his hands away and scooted to the edge of the bed. “Where’s that paper you found?”

      Adam took it from the bedside table. “Executed by Judge Williams himself, and properly witnessed by Harry and Laurel Oliver.”

      “The newlyweds?” Haley opened the paper and read the words, saw the signatures and the official seal.

      “I’ve known Harry Oliver for years. He works at the courthouse.” Adam shrugged. “I don’t know how it can get any more legal than that.”

      “We got married at someone else’s wedding?” Haley curled her lips distastefully. “Is that done?”

      Adam plowed his fingers through his hair. “It must have been at the reception, because I remember the ceremony.”

      Haley’s gaze came up quickly and met his. “You don’t remember, either? I thought it was only me.”

      Adam shifted, and his gaze wandered across the bed. “Parts of it, I remember very well.”

      Haley’s cheeks pinkened. “At least this explains how I got here.”

      Adam crossed the room and retrieved his shirt. “And how I got here, as well. Believe me, Miss Caufield, I’m not in the habit of deflowering innocent young women.”

      Haley looked back at the bed, then sprang off it. She smoothed down her gown, reaching for any modicum of dignity she could muster. “This can’t be happening.”

      He looked back at her. “Some women would be pleased to find themselves married to me, Miss Caufield.”

      She ignored his claim. “We have to do something.”

      Adam shoved his arms into his shirtsleeves. “Such as?”

      Haley touched her finger to her chin. “Harry and Laurel, the newlyweds. They witnessed the whole thing. Let’s talk with them.”

      “Honeymooning in New York. Won’t be back for two months, maybe more.”

      “Then how about this judge? Maybe he—”

      “I doubt Judge Williams will take too kindly to having his word questioned.”

      “Is it too late for an annulment?”

      His gaze roamed the bed, and he drew in a big breath. “I would say it’s far too late for that.”

      “Then that only leaves…” Haley’s stomach pitched.

      “A divorce?” Adam’s gaze met hers as he closed the buttons on his shirt. “Now there’s a scandal our families will enjoy.”

      Haley pressed her fingers to her lips. Another scandal. Her mother had nearly disowned her over Reginald. What would she do if she found out about this?

      Haley stepped closer. “It wouldn’t be a scandal if they didn’t know about it.”

      “You’re saying you really don’t want to be married?” Adam frowned as he shoved his shirttail into his trousers.

      The haughty, indignant arch in his brows wound СКАЧАТЬ