Portia was a little concerned about the Trelyns’ gloating. She knew that neither of them wished Bryght well, but was that the sum of it, that it pleased them to see him embarrassed? Would they try to force the marriage in order to complete the embarrassment?
Well, what if they did?
Portia reminded herself again that she lived in modern times when forced marriages were no longer possible.
Chapter 16
When a maid brought her chocolate the next morning Portia was not well rested. Sleep had been hard to find and disturbed by dreams of rapture, grinning Trelyns, and rapacious hawks. Underlying it all had been the unnerving awareness of the power Bryght Malloren had over her.
Portia was too honest by nature to deny it, and anyway, she believed a peril faced was preferable to one ignored.
So in the sanity of daylight, she sipped the chocolate, reminding herself that it was her life at stake here not a few nights of pleasure. It would be madness to bind herself to such a man for mere pleasures of the flesh.
Wouldn’t it?
But, oh, what pleasures…
Her hand tilted and chocolate splashed onto the pristine white coverlet.
With a grimace, Portia placed the cup on a bedside stand and tried to mop the mark away with her handkerchief. It was hopeless. She feared the silk was ruined. She hoped it wasn’t a sign.
In fact, it probably was. If she weakened, her life would be ruined. All that was required was that when Bryght came to discuss marriage, she be resolute in refusing. Portia dressed plainly and awaited her summons.
After a fretful hour, she began to suspect that matters might be going ahead without her and went in search of Nerissa. To her surprise, she found her cousin not in her boudoir, but in the white drawing room in close conversation with Lord Trelyn.
“Ah, Cousin Portia,” said the earl, even producing a smile. “Come in. We are planning your wedding. You need not fear that it will be a sparse affair—”
Portia’s nerves jumped. “There will be no wedding.”
“We will have it here—”
“There will be no wedding!”
He looked at her in mild surprise. “There must be a wedding. You have no choice.”
“Of course I have a choice. I can refuse to take the vows.”
“I wouldn’t recommend that.” Nerissa’s sly smile was intended to remind Portia of the hold she had over her.
Portia stared at her cousin, projecting an equal threat.“Myreputation is not at risk,” she declared.
“My dear, do not be foolish. Your reputation is in shreds. But it can be pieced together very well by a speedy wedding. Why all the heat? Your groom is a handsome man of high estate.”
“And clearly one you find pleasing,” added Lord Trelyn.
Portia raised her hands to her burning cheeks. “I admit I allowed…physical attraction to guide me astray. But nothing truly bad happened. I do not want to marry the man.”
“Why ever not?” asked Nerissa, in seemingly genuine curiosity.
“He’s a gamester.”
“All the world is,” said Trelyn.
“Are you, my lord?”
“No.” He looked at her with a touch of compassion.
“Cousin Portia, if you feel that way it is a pity you allowed your passions to exceed your good sense, but what is done is done. I do not allow scandal to touch my house. You must marry.”
