A Shocking Proposition by Elizabeth Rolls

could a woman tell a man that? Especially a man she didn’t know very well. When it might mean losing her home and failing people dependent on her. And there were things he had not told her—his nightmares.
    So what now? His hands tightened on hers. Leaving her at the altar was unthinkable. Nor could he demand an explanation. Not here. Not now. If he showed the least hesitation in marrying Maddy the story would spread, grow in the telling. She’d be ruined, a social pariah. He couldn’t do that to her. Any explanations would have to come later. Right now, at least until they were utterly alone, he would behave as though there could not be the least doubt that Montfort was a lying bastard.
    And if she is carrying his child?
    He shoved the thought away. Protecting Maddy trumped any other consideration. He’d worry about that later.
    A throat being cleared got his attention. Several of Maddy’s men had come forward, Brady at their head.
    “We’ll handle this lying scum, my lord.” Brady’s face was grim as he and two others bent down and dragged Montfort to his feet.
    Ash’s hands tightened on Maddy’s as he reined in the urge to smash a fist or two into Montfort’s jaw again. “Thank you.” It came out between gritted teeth.
    “Be a right pleasure,” said Brady. With a total lack of ceremony, Montfort and his companions were bundled from the church.
    His decision made, Ash faced the vicar, still with Maddy’s hands clasped in his. “Continue, sir.”
    Parmenter spluttered. “Well, as to that, my lord, er, it might be better to, ah, wait on events, as it were. I really couldn’t in all conscience—”
    “Parmenter,” Ash spoke with a lethal softness, “if you will not continue the service, I will have no choice but to convey Miss Kirkby to Ravensburn and marry her there. I will not allow Montfort’s lies—” Please, God, they were lies “—to ruin this day.”
    Blakiston spoke up. “Mr. Parmenter, if Lord Montfort had truly gained Miss Kirkby’s consent to marriage, then I would have been asked to draw up marriage settlements for them. I assure you he lied.”
    The vicar let out a breath. “That may be, but the other accusation—” His face reddened. “The suggestion of unchastity—”
    “Is a matter between myself and Miss Kirkby,” said Ash. “It is not for any other to judge.” He flung all decorum to the winds. “Even if I did entertain the least doubt of Miss Kirkby’s virtue, do you imagine that I am a virgin?”
    There were quite a few muffled laughs in the church, quickly stifled as Parmenter whipped around to glare at the impious.
    “Well...” The vicar settled his preaching bands. “If your lordship’s mind is made up—”
    “It is.”
    Parmenter cleared his throat, took up his position and began to read again. “I require and charge you both—”

Chapter Five
    Maddy got through the rest of the service in a daze. From a distance, she heard Ash promise to love and cherish her. His voice was very clear, his hand clasping hers firmly. And then she was repeating her own vows, her voice shaking on love. Love. So easily promised. How many couples meant it? Really meant it and kept to it.
    He had married her in the teeth of Edward’s accusations. Dismissed them publicly as lies.
    He vowed to honor you. He has already done it.
    Her heart, already besieged, shook a little at the knowledge that he had trusted her without question.
    Then Ash was slipping the ring onto her finger, holding it there. “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship...”
    His gaze held hers and she felt the heat swirling through her.... With my body ...another vow. Spoken in a way that left no doubt he fully intended to keep it.
    At last it was over and they left the church to wildly pealing bells and heavy pewter skies.
    The duke and duchess took their leave swiftly after a glass of wine in the vicarage. “We simply can’t stay any longer if we are to reach home and our guests