A Marriage Of Rogues. Margaret Moore
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Название: A Marriage Of Rogues
Автор: Margaret Moore
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Историческая литература
Серия: Mills & Boon Historical
isbn: 9781474053396
isbn:
Develin frowned. “I suppose it didn’t occur to you that I might have some cause for concern about how we would be received when word of my marriage got out.”
“Did you not take that into account when you accepted my proposal?”
“I didn’t expect you to act like an arrogant—”
“I’ve explained that,” she interrupted. “I suppose I shouldn’t expect a man like you to understand. As for arrogant...” She ran a coolly measuring gaze over the man standing arrogantly before her. “I believe I’ve met my match in that.”
“If I am arrogant, at least I have cause to be,” he returned. “I am a baronet, you’re the daughter of an impoverished gamester who abandoned you. Yet you acted like the Queen of Sheba—hardly a way to ensure good relations with the servants whose help and favorable opinion you’re going to need if this house is to run smoothly.”
“I may not be the Queen of Sheba,” she replied frostily, “but I am the woman you married. I’m the woman you made your wife in every way. Whatever you may be thinking, there’s no undoing that now.”
He didn’t answer. He simply regarded her with cool, unnerving confidence.
Dread flooded through her. They were married, truly married. Surely nothing could change that.
Except that he was a rich and titled man. He would have powerful, influential friends and could afford the best attorneys, men capable of finding ways to overturn any contract or agreement.
“We had a bargain,” she reminded him, her voice rising even as she fought to maintain her composure. She went closer to him, until she was a mere handbreadth away. “If you’re an honorable man, you will keep it, as I shall keep my word. I shall run your household as required, and first thing tomorrow I will go to the village and order some new clothes from the dressmaker there. Ella has informed me she’s quite excellent, and I’ll visit the milliner, too. And tonight, should you wish to come to my bed, I will not refuse you.”
She caught the sharp intake of his breath, saw the flash of desire in his dark eyes. Yet that look of bridled passion was followed quickly by another frown.
Not wanting to hear his response, Thea turned on her heel and marched out of the room.
* * *
Breathing hard, frustrated and aroused in spite of all his efforts not to be, Dev was tempted to slam the door behind her, but that would only alert the household that something was amiss between the baronet and his bride—although they’d probably find that out soon enough, just as he had come to realize he’d made a grave mistake.
He should have told her before dinner that their marriage was wrong. That he wanted to annul it and would find a way to do so.
But the words had stuck in his throat then and afterward. Even when she was so obviously angry and despite her haughty behavior, he hadn’t been able to tell her he was sorry they had married.
It must have been his pride that kept him silent on the subject of an annulment. Now that he was aware of that weakness, he could surely find the right words to inform her of his decision. He would secure the annulment and provide her with a sufficient sum to live on for a few years, as well as foregoing any repayment of her father’s promissory notes. If she still balked, he would offer his solicitor’s assistance in securing lodgings in any city that she named, although preferably far from London. Surely then she would be willing to end what was clearly a misalliance, and he could be free of any guilty obligation.
Whatever happened in the future, however, one thing was clear: he would not be going to her bed tonight.
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