“I don’t see what there is to discuss,” Christopher said. “We never annulled our engagement, so Lady Hale isn’t able to marry anyone else.”
Rage flashed in her eyes. “You were the one who_”
“Yes,” her father stepped forward with a tight smile on his face. “I think that would be wise. Please allow us to go to the sacristy, Archbishop.”
They were all herded from the main chamber into a small room behind the altar. It was more than a little crowded Between Christopher, Veronica, her parents, Lord Gallmore—and, of course, the Archbishop—it was more than a little crowded.
“So,” the Archbishop said, folding his hands. “Duke Ashton, I assume you have a very good reason to interrupt the ceremony instead of dealing with everything beforehand. I do not appreciate such theatrics in my own church.”
“I regret whatever disturbance I may have caused, but I was not made aware of the situation until very recently.”
“That is a lie!” Veronica stepped forward, her head held high. He did not meet her eyes. “I sent you letters, that you ignored. For several years in fact!”
The Archbishop studied her before asking, “is she telling the truth?”
“I wouldn’t know, I have not read her letters,” he lied.
“The gall! And now you expect_” Veronica started before she was interrupted once more.
“Please, my Lady,” he said before turning back to the duke. “The banns have been read, even a man of your stature needs very solid proof if I am to even consider calling off the ceremony.”
“I would never have come otherwise,” he produced the contract folded carefully in his pocket, setting it on the table. “Our families signed this when we were young, and it has never been resolved. It wouldn’t be proper—or even legal—for Lady Hale to marry anyone else.”
“May I?”
“Of course.”
The room was so quiet he could all but hear his eyes move as he read the pages. He tried not to look at her, but her sweet floral scent did not offer his mind the same grace.
It hurt to be in the same space as her. He remembered how his hands burned when he freed her. He could feel the smoke choke him as he told her to go ahead and he turned back. How it stung his eyes as he strained to see.
He clenched his fist, focusing on the physical sensation instead of the memories haunting him.
Because when he looked at her he saw more than the beautiful, smart and charmingly feisty woman he was to marry.
He saw the person responsible for the most painful day of his life.
And he would not let her marry anyone else. Not when he sacrificed everything for her. Not when saving her meant losing what little he had left.
Veronica’s eyes strayed to Christopher. His jaw was set in a hard line, making him more intimidating than she remembered.Why was he here? Why now, after all this time?
She thought he would be relieved to hear she was finally married off and he was free from her.
“Well,” he said, setting the contract aside. “I would say it looks like you are correct. This contract was never resolved. Legally, you are still engaged to Lady Hale.”
“So dissolve it!” Lord Gallmore snapped.
“If that is what everyone here wants I can do that with Duke Ashton’s-”
“Absolutely not.”
Veronica’s eyes snapped to him.
“She is my betrothed and I intend to marry her.”
“You should have thought of that a few months ago!” Veronica cried.
“Veronica!” her father hissed low. “He is a Duke. you should feel honored. Just stay quiet and let us talk.”
