The Earl's Stolen Bride (Marriage by Deceit Book 4) by Ruth Ann Nordin Page A

Hawkins.”
    “You married Lord Reddington?”
    “How did you know I was talking about him?”
    Laughing, Helena shook her head in amusement.  “I didn’t tell you at the time because Lord Hawkins was still alive, but when we saw him at Regina’s townhouse, I could tell he was deeply in love with you.”
    “Oh, you should have told me.”
    “What would have been the point?  Your husband was still alive.  There was nothing you could do about it.” She paused, eyebrows raised.  “Why don’t you ever refer to Lord Hawkins by his Christian name?”
    “I think I have, on occasion,” Chloe replied, trying to think of a time when she had.  “At the very least, I’m sure I thought it.”
    “I suspect you don’t because you never felt close to him.  Not that anyone could blame you.  You saw so little of him.  Even I can barely remember what he looked like, and I introduced you two.”
    “You didn’t miss anything.  He wasn’t much to look at.” Chloe put her hand over her mouth.  Good heavens.  Did she really say that aloud?
    “Now that I think about it, you’re right.  He was as boring as he looked.”
    “Helena, we shouldn’t be so mean.  The poor gentleman is dead.”
    “I wasn’t trying to be mean.  I was stating a fact.  He was boring.  You read me a couple of his missives, and each time, my mind wandered.  I don’t know how you managed to read them.”
    “It was my duty.  I had to.”
    “Fortunately, you don’t have to anymore.”
    Chloe wondered if she should really think such a thing, but the butler brought in the tea and crumpets, thereby allowing her a reprieve from her guilt.  The least she could do was honor his memory in some small way.
    When the butler left, Chloe ventured, “Lord Hawkins was polite.”
    Helena offered her a smile as she poured tea into their cups.  “It’s all right not to miss him.  He could have stayed here for a while after you married to get to know you better, or he could have taken you with him.  He didn’t have to rush off to India the way he did.  You are perfectly within your rights to be glad you’re with someone else, especially someone who makes you as happy as you are.” She handed Chloe her cup.  “You are glowing with joy.”
    “I’m trying not to.  My parents wouldn’t like it.  They expect me to be a grieving widow.”
    “Not all widows grieve.”
    Yes, that was true.  But even so, Chloe’s parents insisted she play the part, and when she wasn’t alone with her friends, or Orlando, she would do her best.
    “It’s wonderful Lord Reddington loves you as much as he does,” Helena said then took a sip of her tea.
    “It is.  I never thought love could be so splendid.” Chloe’s face warmed with pleasure.  “The only thing is that since the Ton doesn’t know of my marriage to him, please keep it a secret.”
    “I will.  I am wondering, though, when will you announce your marriage to everyone?”
    “It’s best I let the entire mourning period pass, so we’ll let everyone know this time next year.”
    “In the meantime, you’re making sure there will be no child on the way?”
    Chloe frowned.  “Child on the way?”
    “Is he using a sheath to prevent his,” Helena lowered her voice, “seed from going into you?”
    A sheath?  Would it be in bad taste to admit she didn’t even know what a sheath was?  She tapped the side of her cup and tried to think of what a sheath might possibly be.  All that came to mind was a sheath a knight might use for his sword.  But that couldn’t possibly be the kind of sheath Helena meant.
    “Oh dear,” Helena said.  “I can see you haven’t been careful.  This is something that must be corrected at once.  It’s possible you might already be expecting a child if you and Lord Reddington already consummated the marriage.”
    “Orlando and I did.”
    She nodded as if she’d expected Chloe’s response.  “The situation with Lord Hawkins was unusual.  Most of the