marriage as much as she had.
The carriage moved quickly through the countryside. The horses slowed as they climbed a hill and Elizabeth’s hands flew to her mouth as she took in the huge stone towers that loomed above them. They turned into the tree lined drive and her gaze shot back to the man sitting opposite her. She stared at his glossy dark hair and then back to his deep blue eyes. His dark brows made a heavy line across his forehead as he spoke again. He was already calling for an annulment.
She almost choked on her own tears as they fell unabated. What should have been the happiest day of her life as she discovered the identity of her husband turned sour and a tear of bitter disappointment slipped from the corner of her eye. The sudden compassion in his expression was beyond anything she had ever imagined and more tears flowed. She couldn’t stop them and she gulped for air, the tightening in her chest threatening to overwhelm her as Ormond came into view.
The carriage stopped on the gravel and her new husband instantly flung the door open. He leapt from the carriage, desperate to put some space between them as she fell back onto the cushioned seat and let full vent to her desolation.
The man who had stood with Alexander at the wedding put his head inside the carriage and quickly withdrew it as shock registered on his cheeks and then Alexander was holding out his hand, beckoning her into his home. She wanted to shout to the driver to move on, to turn the carriage around and take her from this place but her mouth wouldn’t work. Her husband stood there waiting, an angry scowl on his beautiful brow and fearing that his temper would not long remain even she came quickly to her feet. Her slipper caught on the hem of her overlong dress and she fell into his arms.
What should have been heaven was hell. His lips moved above her but she couldn’t make out his words. He seemed to be implying that it would all be over very soon. No doubt he had seen through her father’s idiotic plan. She wanted to escape before her humiliation was complete but the feel of his arms around her and his hard body beneath her was more than she had ever thought possible in her whole life.
If this was the only time it would ever happen then she had to lay there and accept. It would all be over soon enough and she would travel back to her lonely life in the rooms in Oakley with this day becoming a dream to remember.
Chapter Six
Donkey or Goose?
Alexander lay his beautiful bride gently on the chaise in the salon. Her sobbing had ceased but her tear stained face robbed him of breath. That he could have brought such a woman to this depth of despair stabbed him more harshly than any French blade to his face.
He turned to Carter.
“I want this farce stopped now. You can see the stress that has been placed on her. This marriage must be annulled immediately.”
Carter faced him.
“I’m afraid that is impossible, Your Grace. Miss Hardacre was fully aware of the nature of the agreement and so were you. This marriage cannot be annulled under any circumstances.”
Alexander lifted his chin proudly. He didn’t hesitate for a second.
“I’ll forfeit Ormond and the rest of my estates.”
Carter smiled.
“You can forfeit whatever you like but you will still be married to her, that part of the bargain is non-negotiable.”
Giles glanced at Alexander’s bride. Her beauty struck him hard but he could see that it had affected Alexander even more. He moved to Carter’s side and spoke in low tones.
“She’s meant to be a troll or worse. He never expected to marry someone so beautiful. What on earth did you need any agreement for Carter. One look at her and she would have nations kneeling at her feet let alone a humble Duke.”
Carter looked at Alexander who was indeed now kneeling beside the chaise, sherry glass in hand. He offered Elizabeth a sip and placed his arm around her shoulder to help her forward.
“The emotions of
The carriage moved quickly through the countryside. The horses slowed as they climbed a hill and Elizabeth’s hands flew to her mouth as she took in the huge stone towers that loomed above them. They turned into the tree lined drive and her gaze shot back to the man sitting opposite her. She stared at his glossy dark hair and then back to his deep blue eyes. His dark brows made a heavy line across his forehead as he spoke again. He was already calling for an annulment.
She almost choked on her own tears as they fell unabated. What should have been the happiest day of her life as she discovered the identity of her husband turned sour and a tear of bitter disappointment slipped from the corner of her eye. The sudden compassion in his expression was beyond anything she had ever imagined and more tears flowed. She couldn’t stop them and she gulped for air, the tightening in her chest threatening to overwhelm her as Ormond came into view.
The carriage stopped on the gravel and her new husband instantly flung the door open. He leapt from the carriage, desperate to put some space between them as she fell back onto the cushioned seat and let full vent to her desolation.
The man who had stood with Alexander at the wedding put his head inside the carriage and quickly withdrew it as shock registered on his cheeks and then Alexander was holding out his hand, beckoning her into his home. She wanted to shout to the driver to move on, to turn the carriage around and take her from this place but her mouth wouldn’t work. Her husband stood there waiting, an angry scowl on his beautiful brow and fearing that his temper would not long remain even she came quickly to her feet. Her slipper caught on the hem of her overlong dress and she fell into his arms.
What should have been heaven was hell. His lips moved above her but she couldn’t make out his words. He seemed to be implying that it would all be over very soon. No doubt he had seen through her father’s idiotic plan. She wanted to escape before her humiliation was complete but the feel of his arms around her and his hard body beneath her was more than she had ever thought possible in her whole life.
If this was the only time it would ever happen then she had to lay there and accept. It would all be over soon enough and she would travel back to her lonely life in the rooms in Oakley with this day becoming a dream to remember.
Chapter Six
Donkey or Goose?
Alexander lay his beautiful bride gently on the chaise in the salon. Her sobbing had ceased but her tear stained face robbed him of breath. That he could have brought such a woman to this depth of despair stabbed him more harshly than any French blade to his face.
He turned to Carter.
“I want this farce stopped now. You can see the stress that has been placed on her. This marriage must be annulled immediately.”
Carter faced him.
“I’m afraid that is impossible, Your Grace. Miss Hardacre was fully aware of the nature of the agreement and so were you. This marriage cannot be annulled under any circumstances.”
Alexander lifted his chin proudly. He didn’t hesitate for a second.
“I’ll forfeit Ormond and the rest of my estates.”
Carter smiled.
“You can forfeit whatever you like but you will still be married to her, that part of the bargain is non-negotiable.”
Giles glanced at Alexander’s bride. Her beauty struck him hard but he could see that it had affected Alexander even more. He moved to Carter’s side and spoke in low tones.
“She’s meant to be a troll or worse. He never expected to marry someone so beautiful. What on earth did you need any agreement for Carter. One look at her and she would have nations kneeling at her feet let alone a humble Duke.”
Carter looked at Alexander who was indeed now kneeling beside the chaise, sherry glass in hand. He offered Elizabeth a sip and placed his arm around her shoulder to help her forward.
“The emotions of
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