He’d garner standing and respect as the new Earl of Standish, by using Goldie.
Everything he’d gained came because the most important men in his life had died.
A wave of utter self-revulsion hit him like a brick wall, and suddenly, all the warmth spun out of the room. And with this onslaught of frost came the dawning realization that…
This was all wrong.
Goldie had thought she’d be a bundle of nerves walking down the aisle toward her groom. None of her family was in attendance, not even Nia. Her father would have been told she’d disappeared by now. Did he imagine she was simply pouting somewhere? Hiding in the attic like she’d done as a child?
How long before he even bothered looking for her?
But as she walked toward her groom, as Reed’s expression came into view, all those thoughts fell away.
Because Reed, her future husband, was watching her with hopeful eyes.
With more than hope, was that affection? He was not marrying her for love. He’d made no pretense of that. But he’d kissed her—twice now. He’d touched her intimately.
And he’d confessed to wanting her.
He’d said he didn’t want to marry any other woman. His reasons involved dispersing those nasty rumors, so, of course, this marriage was… complicated.
But no one had ever looked at her like that before—like she mattered more than anyone else.
And as the ceremony got underway, she could almost believe that theirs was a love match.
He even seemed to hold her hand longer than necessary after sliding the simple gold band onto her finger.
But then…
After she’d slid a gleaming band on his ring finger, his entire demeanor changed—not in an obvious way, but she was not mistaken. Whereas he’d initially kept his gaze locked with hers, he’d stood through the last part of the service with it averted. He had only looked at her when necessary, and he rushed the kiss on her cheek.
And instead of taking her hand when it was over, pressing his palm against hers as she’d expected, he offered her his arm, his posture stiff.
Removed.
Last-minute cold feet? Did he regret being tied to someone like her?
Goldie forced her smile as she signed the certificate and then accepted congratulations from their few guests.
But Reed seemed only to endure the platitudes. Perhaps he’d gotten a headache. Was it possible he’d eaten something bad?
Despite Rutherford Place being only a handful of steps away, he’d ordered the driver to take them around the park first. But now that they were alone, he’d become even more removed. “Are you all right?” she asked him.
If he was ill, that would explain his strange behavior, would it not?
He’d sat across from her—not beside her.
“Of course.” His answer was short. He turned his gaze out the window.
Something was definitely wrong. But what? Had she done something wrong?
Goldie searched her mind, going over everything that had happened that day. He’d held her in his arms just before leaving her chamber earlier. If his sister had not arrived, surely, he’d have kissed her again. Perhaps he’d have done more.
“Have I offended you?” she asked, wishing he’d return to himself—the man she’d come to know.
Although she didn’t know him at all, really, and now she was married to him! Goldie fussed at her gloves, the blood in her veins turning ice cold.
“Of course not,” he said. “You’ve been… wonderful. In fact, I don’t deserve you.” He shot her a look that was perhaps meant to be reassuring, but his smile was not warm. It was… pained.
