Mysty McPartland by The Rake's Substitute Bride Page B

sister.
    The only way she could achieve such a status was to tear their relationship apart. The duke was desperate for an heir and if Sheldon hadn’t conceived yet he would be frantic to find another woman to have his baby. And she intended to be that woman. Now all she had to do was come up with the perfect plan.
    Sheldon had such childish ideas about marriage and if she found out that her sister was sleeping with her husband and if I became pregnant before her older sister, her stupid sister wouldn’t hesitate in leaving him. The problem was how to make it happen? She couldn’t afford to waste any time. When she suddenly heard the duke’s name mentioned she moved closer behind the two gentlemen to listen to what they were saying.
    “So your cousin Nathan married. If he gets his wife pregnant before the year is out you’re going to lose everything.” David Dixon watched the emotions flit over his friend’s face.
    His jaw clenched, Andrew glared coldly. “Damn bastard. I thought for sure he wouldn’t go through with it. I’m going to have to do something to make sure he doesn’t breed a whelp so he can inherit.”
    “I’ve heard he had to use his betrothed sister as a substitute bride, since the first one ran away. I also know that his wife is one of the women that continue to harass a man when his taking his pleasure in one of the many whore houses. Those damn bloody women need to be taught a lesson. Just the other day they stormed into The Pantheon bathhouse and ruined my pleasure before it could even get started.”
    “My God, she does what? Are you saying she visits the whore houses?” When his friend nodded in confirmation, Andrew wondered if this could be something he could use. “I wonder if my cousin knows? He would most certainly not like his own wife catching him in such a place.”
    “I don’t care if he likes it or not. And be most assured he does know. If the woman interferes again I’m going to make certain she pays dearly for it.” David would never forget the humiliating episode he suffered at that woman’s hand or the dukes for that matter. Now that he’d sown the seeds, he decided to let Andrew think how he could use it for his own benefit. “I’m going to find a drink. I’ll see you later.”
    Andrew watched his friend walk away, this information might be useful to him. He just had to think of a way to use it. He was about to leave himself, but hesitated when an attractive woman stepped in front of him. It took a moment to recognize her and when he did wondered why she approached him.
    When the discussion between the two men ended, Bethany stepped up to the remaining gentleman. “I hope you don’t mind but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. As you probably know who I am I won’t waste time in introducing myself.” When she saw the interest light up the pale blue eyes, she quickly continued. “I realized too late I made a terrible mistake in fleeing my wedding. However, like you I do not wish for my sister to become pregnant. Perhaps if we work together we can prevent it from happening.”
    “And what is in it for you my lady and for that matter how is it going to help me?” Andrew thought he might have some idea of what she had planned, but unless it aided him he would refuse any assistance from her.
    For a few moments, Bethany thought the question over as her gaze studied the man in front of her. He was nowhere near as handsome as the duke or impressive. He was actually quite the opposite, with his chubby florid face and stocky build. However, if this man could stop the duke from fathering an heir, he would inherit everything. What did she care what the man looked like? All that mattered was becoming a duchess and the wealth and power that went with it. “I think if we work together it would be mutually beneficial to both of us. After all, you want the title and so do I.”
    Andrew broke out in a grin. “Why don’t we find somewhere more private to discuss