![Jo Beverley - [Rogue ]](https://fs.collectorofbookboyfriends.com/559054/thumbs/152x264/jo-beverley-rogue.jpg)
insult.
Not really.
This desire she felt to run and hide, or to throw a scene, was ridiculous. Nicholas Delaney was that monstrous attacker of just a few weeks ago, and she should be happy that the foreign woman would relieve her of his brutish attentions.
Still, before she could descend the stairs with composure she had to go over again in her mind all her reasons for the marriage. You are doing this for a child you may bear, for a position in Society, for an upright family to belong to...
Suddenly, breaking through her thoughts like a sunbeam, Eleanor wondered what Nicholas Delaney had made of the beautiful young man trailing his mistress up the stairs. She smiled slightly and hoped he too was itched by the green-eyed monster. That unkind wish bolstered her enough that she was able to meet the twins with composure and set out for her wedding.
The trio strolled down the pleasant, winding streets of the port talking idly of minor matters, until Nicholas said prosaically, "We're being followed."
Eleanor could not resist it. "Perhaps it is Madame Therese," she teased, "unable to let you out of her sight."
She received an unfriendly look. "More than likely. In which case it is I who will be followed. We don't want the curious to know we are on our way to a church." He turned to his bemused brother. "Go on as arranged, Kit, and I will meet you there."
Lord Stainbridge made no objection, but Eleanor could not let this pass. "This is ridiculous. Are you mad? Who on earth would follow us?"
She knew immediately that Nicholas Delaney was not accustomed to having his orders questioned. Even though his face was impassive and his tone level, he expressed displeasure as he said, "As you have suggested, my anxious lovers or any number of other people. I merely wish to make sure that nobody has ready ammunition for blackmail. If I cannot evade whoever it is, the marriage will have to be put off." With that he disappeared into the shadows.
A minute or so later Eleanor glanced back and saw a figure cross the street and go in the same direction. "We were being followed?" she said in amazement.
Lord Stainbridge nodded. "Nicholas is never needlessly melodramatic. In his way of life he must make enemies."
"But he might be attacked, killed!"
Lord Stainbridge shrugged. "Inconvenient, I agree. However, he is normally well able to take care of himself. This is the church."
Eleanor looked at him in surprise, but saw by the pale light from the church windows that he was not as calm as he pretended. How hard it must be to love Nicholas Delaney. Thank heaven she was immune from that fate at least.
It was a small, simple church, neither new nor fashionable. The minister waiting for them was thin, gray, and tired. "Mr. Delaney and Miss Chivenham?"
Explanations were made, and the minister agreed with bad grace to wait for a little while longer. He disappeared into his vestry while Eleanor and Lord Stainbridge sat in a very uncomfortable pew to wait. Eleanor felt that perhaps she should pray; attempt to make something spiritual out of this momentous occasion, but the church was bleak, cold, and uninspiring. She thought instead about her bridegroom.
What sort of life did he live, that he was followed everywhere? She toyed with the idea of begging Lord Stainbridge to marry her and save her from his brother, but knew it would be no use. For one thing, the special license would not apply.
And she had to confess that she found Nicholas Delaney fascinating, in the same way she had been fascinated by the gypsies who had camped near Burton when she was young. She and Lionel had been warned to stay clear because they stole children, but she had crept over to their camp and watched them. Then the gypsies had seen her and teased her so she had been scared. Lionel had found out and told on her, so she had been whipped, then whipped again when it was discovered she had lost her gold locket somewhere in the adventure.
What was she going to lose in this
Not really.
This desire she felt to run and hide, or to throw a scene, was ridiculous. Nicholas Delaney was that monstrous attacker of just a few weeks ago, and she should be happy that the foreign woman would relieve her of his brutish attentions.
Still, before she could descend the stairs with composure she had to go over again in her mind all her reasons for the marriage. You are doing this for a child you may bear, for a position in Society, for an upright family to belong to...
Suddenly, breaking through her thoughts like a sunbeam, Eleanor wondered what Nicholas Delaney had made of the beautiful young man trailing his mistress up the stairs. She smiled slightly and hoped he too was itched by the green-eyed monster. That unkind wish bolstered her enough that she was able to meet the twins with composure and set out for her wedding.
The trio strolled down the pleasant, winding streets of the port talking idly of minor matters, until Nicholas said prosaically, "We're being followed."
Eleanor could not resist it. "Perhaps it is Madame Therese," she teased, "unable to let you out of her sight."
She received an unfriendly look. "More than likely. In which case it is I who will be followed. We don't want the curious to know we are on our way to a church." He turned to his bemused brother. "Go on as arranged, Kit, and I will meet you there."
Lord Stainbridge made no objection, but Eleanor could not let this pass. "This is ridiculous. Are you mad? Who on earth would follow us?"
She knew immediately that Nicholas Delaney was not accustomed to having his orders questioned. Even though his face was impassive and his tone level, he expressed displeasure as he said, "As you have suggested, my anxious lovers or any number of other people. I merely wish to make sure that nobody has ready ammunition for blackmail. If I cannot evade whoever it is, the marriage will have to be put off." With that he disappeared into the shadows.
A minute or so later Eleanor glanced back and saw a figure cross the street and go in the same direction. "We were being followed?" she said in amazement.
Lord Stainbridge nodded. "Nicholas is never needlessly melodramatic. In his way of life he must make enemies."
"But he might be attacked, killed!"
Lord Stainbridge shrugged. "Inconvenient, I agree. However, he is normally well able to take care of himself. This is the church."
Eleanor looked at him in surprise, but saw by the pale light from the church windows that he was not as calm as he pretended. How hard it must be to love Nicholas Delaney. Thank heaven she was immune from that fate at least.
It was a small, simple church, neither new nor fashionable. The minister waiting for them was thin, gray, and tired. "Mr. Delaney and Miss Chivenham?"
Explanations were made, and the minister agreed with bad grace to wait for a little while longer. He disappeared into his vestry while Eleanor and Lord Stainbridge sat in a very uncomfortable pew to wait. Eleanor felt that perhaps she should pray; attempt to make something spiritual out of this momentous occasion, but the church was bleak, cold, and uninspiring. She thought instead about her bridegroom.
What sort of life did he live, that he was followed everywhere? She toyed with the idea of begging Lord Stainbridge to marry her and save her from his brother, but knew it would be no use. For one thing, the special license would not apply.
And she had to confess that she found Nicholas Delaney fascinating, in the same way she had been fascinated by the gypsies who had camped near Burton when she was young. She and Lionel had been warned to stay clear because they stole children, but she had crept over to their camp and watched them. Then the gypsies had seen her and teased her so she had been scared. Lionel had found out and told on her, so she had been whipped, then whipped again when it was discovered she had lost her gold locket somewhere in the adventure.
What was she going to lose in this
Similar Books
