The Care and Feeding of Your Captive Earl (What Happens In Scotland Book 3) by Kate McKinley Page A

wife.
    Though marriage, in general, held little appeal to him, the arrangement would not be without its benefits—she would avoid ruin and he would dodge the meddlesome mamas of the ton .
    “What do you mean?” she asked, a hint of fear tingeing her tone.
    He shook his head, but said nothing. Convincing Gwen to marry him would be difficult. Though many women wished to bed a rake, how many truly wished to wed one? Gwen would not, certainly. She had made it plain that her own attraction to him appalled her. But it was inescapable fact that they must marry. What she wanted was of little significance.
    He was not looking forward to her ire. She would despise him for what he must do. But he must be cruel only to be kind.

CHAPTER TEN
     
    Over the next couple hours, they ate supper in silence, and drew water again—in silence. The tension between them was palpable, and it was driving her to distraction. She wanted him, of course she did. But she wasn’t so brave that she could have an affair without the prospect of marriage. A marriage she certainly didn’t want—not with a man like Matthias, who found himself with a different woman nearly every week.
    It was late when the rain finally stopped. They sat in the parlor, each focused on their individual tasks. She’d found supplies to mend her ripped hem and sat in the chair by the fire, entirely focused on each tiny stitch. Matthias sat on the sofa, his long frame leaning against the backrest, a book in his hand.
    The scene was tranquil, almost…domestic. Is this how married life would be? Quiet nights by the fire, safely tucked away in their home, quiet and content?
    She looked up from her stitching and stared at him. There was something weighing on him. He’d been broody and silent ever since she’d broken their kiss earlier. Was he angry with her?
    “Something has been troubling you,” she finally said. “Tell me what it is.”
    Glancing up from his book, he stared at her for a moment—clearly deciding whether or not to take her into his confidence. She held her breath, hoping he would.
    At length, he released a breath. “I fear I must do something soon that will make an enemy of someone I care for.”
    “How very cryptic,” she said. “Can it not be avoided?”
    He broke his gaze, glancing back down at his book. “I am afraid not.”
    “If you tell me what it is, perhaps I can help,” she hedged.
    “There is nothing to be done for it,” he said, not looking up from the pages of his book. “A solution has already been worked out. It is only the reception of said solution that concerns me.”
    “Is this about your newfound title?”
    No response.
    Now that he was an earl, there were likely to be a myriad of responsibilities vying for his time. Not to mention maintaining the Earl of Hastings’s vast estates. It was one of the largest, most breathtaking parks just outside of London. She’d toured it once with her aunt, and had been taken aback by its sheer uncompromising beauty.
    “Whatever the challenges, you are up to the task. I’m certain of it.” She could offer no more comfort than that, unfortunately. She hadn’t any idea what inheriting an earldom might entail
    He ran his hand over his face. “I wish I were as certain about that.”
    “Is your new title the reason you are so eager to marry?”
    “ Eager is a bit of an overstatement,” he said. “But yes, it plays a part in my reasoning.”
    She sucked in a breath and nodded. Visions of Matthias walking into a ballroom with his elegant, flawless wife—whoever she might be—assailed her, and inexplicably she felt a sharp pain in her chest.
    “Well, I hope your future wife has a patient character,” she said sharply.
    “And what might that mean?” he growled back.
    She shrugged. “Only that she will need a strong constitution if she is to be married to you—what with your appetite for widows and ballet dancers.”
    It was impolite to speak of such things—but she couldn’t help