Finally! Justin dropped his napkin onto the table and rose, stepping over to assist his sister from her chair. She laid her hand on his arm.
Justin, Im asking you one last timeIm begging youfor your own sake, do not do this! Its not too late to change your mind. Give this woman whatever amount of money she and the judge have agreed upon and send her on her way. You can well afford to
Buy an open, honest relationship based on greed. Justin heard the cold harshness in his voice and made an effort to soften it. Weve discussed this already, Laina.
So we have. She drew herself up to her full height. Very well, since you are determined to play the fool, Justin, do it quickly. Im at the end of my patience!
With a swish of her long skirts, Laina whirled about. Her boot heels clicked angrily against the wide plank floor as she walked across the common room.
Justin took a deep breath and followed her. He hesitated for a moment in the doorway of the little room as he caught sight of the hooded, cloak-draped figure of his intended bride standing in front of the judge, then, squaring his shoulders, he stepped into the dimly lit room and walked forward to take his place at her side.
Chapter Three
A nervous giggle escaped her as she looked down at the ring. He had certainly been prepared. A careful man, her husband. Husband! Oh, my! She clamped her teeth down firmly on her lower lip as it started to tremble. Crying would help nothing; the deed was done.
The thought made her ill. Elizabeth took a deep breath and closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the padded seat. Had she lost her wits placing her life in the hands of a complete stranger? She didnt even know what the man looked like! She had been so nervous, frightened and ashamed during the brief ceremony, she had not once dared lift her head to look at him. Another nervous giggle burst forth. Perhaps that was just as well. Perhaps he was homely as a toad! Oh, what did it matter? She didnt care if he was the ugliest man in the world if he would take her away from hereif he would take her to a place where her parents or Reginald Burton-Smythe would never find her.
Approaching footsteps startled Elizabeth to attention. The why didnt matter, as long as he was honorable and kept his word. But if
Oh, God, this thing that Ive done There was no other way. I have to escape Reginald Burton-Smythe. Please, dont let this man be like him. Oh, God, please dont let him be like Reginald Burton-Smythe!
The carriage leaned to one side, then quickly righted itself as the driver climbed aboard. Elizabeths heart leaped into her throat choking off her whispered words. With horrified fascination she stared at the door handle as it dipped downward.
The door opened.
Her new husband tossed in a pile of lap robes, then climbed inside. For a moment, in the confined space, he loomed over her. Elizabeth shrank back against the seat, biting down hard on her lower lip to stop the scream clawing at her throat as her heart pumped wildly and her lungs forgot to breathe. From somewhere beyond the edge of a swirling darkness she heard him speak to her, and then there was nothingnothing at all.
The horses hooves clattered against the frost-hardened ground. The cabriolet lurched and rolled ahead. His bride jerked and sagged forward. Madam? No
answer. Justin raised his voice. Madam, I brought lap robes for your comfort. Still no answer. The woman was a sound sleeper. An unexpected blessingthered be no need for small talk on the journey to their nights lodging place.
Justin leaned forward to ease the slumped form of his new wife into the corner where she would have more protection from the bumps and jolts of the ride. The papers in his waistcoat pocket crackled. He curved his lips into a tight smile and gave his pocket a satisfied pat. There it was, his future, all safely planned out and committed to parchment. The marriage certificate, the bonded marriage agreement, and the financial settlement.
He frowned and reached for a lap rug. There had been no time to read the papers. What had he paid for her? Whatever the amountand he had no doubt it was considerableit was worth it. There would be no unpleasant surprises for him this time. He tucked the fur rug around his new wife. If you were thinking of playing games with my money, madam, you would be wise not to try. Im more than a match for a scheming female now.
Laina could not bear to watch the departure of her brother and the woman he had married. She turned her back on the hired cabriolet and faced the judge. Well, he did it. She made no attempt to hide her angry astonishment. He actually carried out that foolish plan and married a woman that wouldwould She bit off the rest of the irate words, curled her hands into fists and buried her face against the old mans shoulder.
There, there, my dear. Judge Braden absently patted Lainas back as he stared after the departing cabriolet. Dont despair, matters may well work out for the best. He chuckled softly. Yes, indeed, matters may well turn out for the best.