The Devil Claims a Wife by Helen Dickson Page B

He had told her that he desired her, but she knew he would never love her. He belonged to a breed that did not marry for love. They married for advantage, so that they might be founders of dynasties. Marriage was a business to them. She supposed it didn’t matter who she was as long as she was a good breeder, and the Lovets had proved that—her father was one of twelve and her mother the oldest of nine, and all in good health.
    What better testimony did the Earl of Sinningtonneed to make her his wife and the mother of the brood of children she would eventually present him with?
    Simon Lovet, eminently pleased at the prospect of the powerful Earl of Sinnington becoming his son-in-law, proclaimed the day of their betrothal a cause for celebration. He spoke of good will among the people of Cherriot Vale, and many who had moved on from Jane Lovet’s ill-fated association with Richard Aniston, and eager for fresh gossip, seemed interested in his optimism—although there were many who believed Richard Aniston when, bitter and apparently broken hearted, he had said Jane Lovet had been bedded by the Earl of Sinnington and that the earl was doing the decent thing by marrying her.
    Generally, people responded in various ways—some saying that the family had leaped above themselves—but all showed astonishment. They could not believe that the powerful Earl of Sinnington should take for a wife a dowerless daughter of a cloth merchant, and the cloth merchant of such little account following his son’s support of King Henry.
    Particularly it was being asked by the wives how a young girl was going to manage such alarge household and servants and adapt herself to living at court with all the noble lords and ladies. And that same question was being asked in the castle itself—though not too loudly. For a servant to be heard speaking out against the future wife of the earl would be certain to result in immediate dismissal.
    Yet it was not so long ago that Simon Lovet had sung a different tune. Did the marriage of his daughter to the Earl of Sinnington so easily satisfy his sense of honour? Would that Jane could be so easily reconciled to her fate. She would only be a brood mare to Guy St Edmond. That would be her foremost duty—bear his children as fast as she could and see that they were all sons.
    Jane’s one regret was that John Aniston and his wife had taken the cancellation of their betrothal very badly. Master John had not left the house since, and his wife, who had felt a blessed relief that Richard had found himself a woman to wed, had taken to her bed. Jane was full of remorse when she heard this, for she could not help but feel responsible. But there was nothing to be done.
    Preparations for the betrothal were under way. There was to be a small celebration with a few close relatives and friends at the Lovethouse, whereas the wedding ceremony was to be held at Sinnington Castle one month after the betrothal. The house was in upheaval, the smell of suckling pig and venison permeating every room.
    As loath as she had been to marry Richard, Jane dreaded this union with Guy, even though she knew she would want for nothing. There was no denying or escaping the fact that he could make her feel things she ought not to want to feel, and feel them far too easily to be safe or to protect her heart from him.
    She did not know what her life would be like married to him and tried valiantly to think of something to look forward to. Her parents wouldn’t be far away, she reminded herself. And some day, with the little knowledge she had of Guy’s lustful nature, she’d have children to love and care for.
    Closing her eyes, she drew a painful breath, feeling the tension slowly lessen. A child to hold would be something to look forward to. She’d cling to that thought, she decided.
    It was a beautiful day and the whole town was in festive mood.
    Jane’s mother and Kate dressed her and exclaimed how pretty she looked. Blanche,