Jo Beverley - [Rogue ]

Jo Beverley - [Rogue ] by An Arranged Mariage Page B

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Authors: An Arranged Mariage
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    She had to admit that her husband-to-be had been pleasant enough thus far, but he did not seem to be the kind of manageable bridegroom of convenience she had been promised. If he were to take it into his head to lock her up or drag her with him on his travels, or even to rape her again, she doubted Lord Stainbridge would be able to stop him, no matter what economic leverage he thought he had.
    It was both frightening and fascinating at the same time. Most peculiar.
    On the whole, however, fright outweighed fascination, and Eleanor was beginning to entertain the hope that the ceremony was to be postponed when the vestry door opened and the vicar returned. He was followed by Nicholas and another man, older, smaller, and with twinkling eyes. It appeared he was to be a witness. His name was Tom Holloway.
    Eleanor seriously considered running away. Nicholas Delaney seemed to look at her and read her mind, for he came over and took her hand in a firm grasp and smiled. "There is nothing to be afraid of," he said. "Trust me."
    And against all reason, she did.
    From there matters proceeded with prosaic smoothness. Eleanor soon found herself Mrs. Delaney in fact, and the gold ring was now legitimate.
    As soon as it was done the little man smiled at her. "Honored to have been present, Mrs. Delaney, Nick. I'd best be off. London?"
    "Yes, as arranged. If the others aren't there try Tim or Shako. Good luck."
    Tom Holloway went out as he had come, despite the vicar's expostulations. Nicholas soothed him with a handsome donation, and when they left it was with his blessing.
    As they strolled back, once more just travelers stretching their legs, Eleanor felt moved to speak. But she did try to keep her voice moderate. "I would like to know, sir, whether my whole life from now on is likely to be conducted in the midst of sinister comings and goings. Who is Mr. Holloway?"
    Nicholas smiled, and she gritted her teeth as she recognized a smile designed to humor and soothe. "Poor Eleanor. I am sure it was not the sort of wedding you would have chosen. But it really could not be helped."
    "Oh, I'm not romantic," she said with a studied air of nonchalance. "Merely curious."
    "Now that is unfortunate," was the plain reply, "for I have no intention of explaining my actions at the moment."
    She raised her chin. "You mean I am not to know why I am to be murdered in my bed?"
    "If you are murdered in your bed, my dear, it will probably be because you know too much." This was said in a conversational tone, and yet there was a ring of seriousness to it that chilled Eleanor.
    She turned to Lord Stainbridge. "My lord, this does not accord with our agreement."
    As she had feared, he was no use at all. "I'm sure he is just playing one of his games, Eleanor," said the earl soothingly. "Anyway, you can depend upon Nicholas to take good care of you."
    "Especially," murmured her husband near her ear, "if you insist on demanding answers I am unwilling to give."
    When she whirled angrily to face him he threw up a hand and grinned. "Pax! We can discuss this later, Eleanor. You are only upsetting Kit."
    Which, she realized, was unfortunately true. A fine protector he was going to be. Well, she had lived by her wits before and she was determined not to be manipulated by Nicholas Delaney.
    It was as if he read her feelings, for Nicholas spent the remainder of the walk back to the inn putting himself out to soothe her. Despite her resolutions, he succeeded. In the face of such humor and charm it seemed churlish to cling to her grievance.
    And yet a part of her hung on to sanity. He was, she decided, a very dangerous man.
    When they reached the inn Eleanor retired gratefully to her room. The traveling and the stress of events had left her weary, but she also wanted to escape her husband.
    As she relaxed before the fire, however, she smiled with satisfaction. She had done it. She had secured the future for herself and for the child that seemed more likely with each

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