The Wedding Escape by Karyn Monk

making it clear he was a man well accustomed to hard physical labor. His eyes were filled with scorn as he spoke of her betrothed, and she sensed that it was not just Percy whom he despised, but all those of his class. This was bewildering, given that her host was obviously accustomed to a life of privilege. She continued to stare at him, intrigued by the paradox of his emotions, and the lengths to which he had gone to ensure that Percy would not learn of his identity. She suspected Jack had done this to protect her, although she believed his efforts to be misguided, Percy would never permit her to come to harm. But there was a constant wariness to the man standing before her, a cool distrust that shadowed the hard gray of his eyes. Her gaze fell upon the thin white scar snaking along his left cheek. Somehow that pale streak touched a chord within her. She found herself wanting to touch him, to lay her hand upon his cheek and feel its roughness beneath her palm, to soothe his anger and contempt with the coolness of her fingers, and know the pulsing heat of him against her skin.
    She turned away abruptly, self-consciously tightening the sash of her robe.
    â€œWhat did you mean when you asked if I had read today’s paper?” she asked stiffly.
    Jack hesitated. It would be painful for her to hear, he realized. “Viscount Philmore has found himself another bride. This morning’s paper announced his engagement to a Miss Edith Fanshaw.”
    She whirled about, her expression outraged. “You are mistaken.” Her voice was brittle.
    â€œI can send Beaton out to buy a copy of the
Morning Post
if you doubt me. The members of the Marbury Club were discussing the news when I went there. They were under the impression that Philmore is suffering from severe financial strain, and that his engagement to Miss Fanshaw comes at a most opportune time. It seems she is also an heiress from America.”
    â€œI know Edith Fanshaw,” Amelia informed him in a tight voice. “Her father is Arthur Fanshaw of Baltimore, and although he has some holdings of import in Chicago real estate, the Fanshaws do not possess any great wealth.”
    â€œEvidently they possess enough to make a marriage to their daughter palatable,” Jack observed. “Philmore has agreed to marry her.”
    â€œHe cannot be doing it of his own free will,” Amelia decided. “Something has happened—some dreadful calamity has forced him to do this.”
    â€œHe’s doing it because he hasn’t got any money, and when he marries Miss Fanshaw that little problem will be instantly solved.”
    â€œI don’t believe that Percy hasn’t any money, but even if he doesn’t, I don’t care. He loves me, and I love him. Once he knows that I have run away from Lord Whitcliffe to be with him, he will break his betrothal to Miss Fanshaw and marry me instead.”
    â€œI think you should be prepared for the possibility that he may not be quite so willing to give her up. After all, Miss Belford, at the moment you are an heiress without means, having run away from your marriage and estranged yourself from your family’s considerable fortune.”
    Her eyes flashed with fury. “Tell me, Mr. Kent, do you believe no man could possibly want me just for the woman I am?”
    â€œNo—”
    â€œThen kindly refrain from insulting me by questioning Lord Philmore’s motives for wanting to marry me. Did you actually meet with him, or did you merely listen to idle gossip being bandied about by his associates at the Marbury Club?”
    â€œI met with him,” Jack replied. “He gave me this note for you.” He produced Lord Philmore’s envelope from inside his coat and handed it to her.
    â€œI knew it!” she cried, freshly elated as she read the card within. “He says he is counting the moments until we are to be reunited. I am to meet him at the Wilkinsons’ ball