The Wagered Wife Read Free Page B

you come from a family of nobodies, and you are certainly not a ‘diamond of the first water’ as far as looks go.”
    Her aunt’s cruel words released the tears Caitlyn had held back. “My . . . my parents were perfectly acceptable,” she insisted.
    â€œBarely. Your father was a country vicar—hardly a member of the ton. And your mother certainly improved her social standing when she became my stepsister—only to throw it all away by marrying a clergyman.”
    â€œMy parents loved each other.” Caitlyn stifled a sob.
    â€œAnd look where it got them. And you.”
    â€œI do not want to marry this stranger:”
    â€œYou have no choice,” her aunt said coldly. “Fiske cannot be responsible for you forever. You are far too young to become a governess—and you look much younger—even had you the education for such.”
    Caitlyn stifled another sob. She knew that her aunt spoke only the truth. Spoken brutally, but the truth all the same.
    â€œHow long . . . when . . . how many weeks until . . . ?”
    â€œThe wedding will take place Saturday.”
    â€œSaturday! But that is only three days away. But—the banns. What about banns?”
    â€œNot necessary. A special license is being obtained. Now run along, Caitlyn, and wash your face. Fiske will not be pressed for a season for you after all, so he has agreed to a new gown for you to be married in.”
    â€œHow very generous of him.” Caitlyn was sure the irony in her tone was lost on her aunt.
    Back in her own chamber, she flung herself on her bed and sobbed aloud. “Oh, Bertie. Bertie. All our plans, our dreams . . .” If only they were older. If only they had control of their own lives. . . . When she had cried herself out, it finally occurred to her that her aunt had not mentioned, and she herself had not asked, the name of her betrothed.
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    In another neighborhood, that young man’s despair matched her own. His eyes held a bleak, trapped expression as he welcomed a visit from his longtime friend Theo Ruskin, a captain in His Majesty’s Army.
    â€œI heard about what happened,” Ruskin said. “God! I’m sorry I was not there.”
    â€œYou missed quite a show.”
    â€œNo. I meant I might have been able to help avoid this disaster.”
    â€œI doubt it. I have fairly done it this time.”
    â€œCan you not go to your father and explain?”
    â€œGood God, no. He would have a fit of apoplexy. You know how he is.”
    â€œWhat about Lord Gerald? Or Marcus?”
    â€œNo, Theo. I cannot do that. I got myself into this.”
    â€œI doubt you could be held to this affair legally.”
    â€œLook. I am of age. It is a debt of honor, after all. Worse things have happened to stupid young men.”
    â€œHave you even met the girl?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œPerhaps she will cry off.”
    â€œNot likely. Denton knows the family. Her father was a churchman. Good connections, but no blunt. The girl’s been living on Fiske’s charity since her father died.”
    â€œAnd friend Fiske is not noted for his charity,” Theo said.
    Trevor merely grunted in response.
    â€œDon’t you even want to meet her?” Theo was plainly curious.
    â€œSaturday is soon enough. I shall have a whole lifetime to know her.”
    â€œYou seem extraordinarily complacent about this, Trevor.”
    â€œIt is merely a matter of accepting the inevitable. Either that—or go insane. Come, let us make the most of the time I have left.”
    The two young men planned to spend the next two days in a continuous round of high living. First, however, Trevor had to take time out to pay a morning call on his aunt, Lady Gertrude Hermiston. Aunt Gertrude, a sister-in-law to Lydia, Countess of Wyndham, was a widow, having lost her husband in “that unfortunate war with the colonies.” She was a woman of independent