As the glass was handed to him, Benjamin paced himself when all he wanted to do was throw the alcohol down his throat and drown in it.
The duke motioned for him to sit and after they were settled in front of the hearth, his future father-in-law flicked his dark gaze over Benjamin’s attire. “You come well suited to the occasion when I daresay it was not something you had anticipated with much urgency.”
Benjamin was glad this man didn’t mince words. Since he had never been the type to do the same, he could appreciate a straightforward demeanor. At least he didn’t appear to be lacking in his black trousers, boots, and navy vest and matching jacket. He had decided itwas the most formal thing in his closet since he didn’t make a habit of rubbing elbows in society. It had never been his preference. To the duke, he replied, “I am here, aren’t I?”
“Indeed, you are.” Lancaster took a sip of his drink while keeping his gaze steady. “It doesn’t bother you that she carries another man’s child?”
“I couldn’t care less.” Benjamin shrugged. “I never expected to become a father. I’m sure you are aware of my wife’s death and that of our son.” As the duke inclined his head, he added, “At least her current state proves that she can bear children. If I wish to fill my nursery, then I will not worry that she is not capable of the task.”
“Very sound reasoning,” the duke murmured, and Benjamin found it odd that, considering he was speaking in such a reasonable tone, that as her father, he wouldn’t demand to ensure his daughter was well taken care of. Instead, he seemed more concerned about her current predicament.
“I’m sure you will want to know that I don’t intend to squander her dowry,” Benjamin felt compelled to add. “I have vowed to curtail my gambling habits and do my best to be a decent husband.”
“It is your money to do with as you see fit. You can set your mistress up in reasonable lodgings while your estate is being repaired.”
Benjamin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Again, the man didn’t seem concerned if he was tossing his daughter into the hands of a ne’er-do-well. In his mind, it seemed as though she was getting what she deserved if that were true. “I don’t have a mistress and I’m not sure that I shall take one.”
The duke smirked. “Of course you will. It is our right as men of power and position. A good mistress is a bonus to be had.”
Benjamin tilted his head to the side. “I thought that was what a wife was for?”
“She is meant to know how to entertain properly, of course, and I can assure you that Catherine was brought up with every advantage.”His mouth turned down at the corners in obvious displeasure. “I am upset that she squandered her opportunities, but I am grateful that you were willing to overlook her faults and take her to wife before her condition was publicly known. You have done our family a great service and I do not regret a single pound that you were owed for your sacrifice. Feel free to take care of the child as you see fit as well. I have done the same with my own bastards.”
Benjamin found that he couldn’t reply because if he did, he was quite sure he would tell this man to go to hell. He had known that he wasn’t perfect, by any means, and compared to the man seated across from him, Benjamin knew he had once been that callous and coldly calculated, caring naught for anything but the things that benefited him. However, great loss had found a way to worm its way under his skin and remind him that life could be snuffed out too quickly and if he wished to find any sort of happiness on this earth, he had to make some changes.
He was glad he could save Catherine from this place. Although he hadn’t yet met his future bride, something told him she would be just as grateful to be leaving.
Chapter Three
Catherine’s stomach wasa flurry of nervous apprehension as she made her way downstairs later that morning. She thought she might be sick, although the queasiness from her morning sickness had long passed. This was something different entirely. All she knew about the man to whom she was about to pledge herself was his title and a small bit of his past. That was it. She didn’t know his age or what he looked like. The only thing that made her feel better at all was knowing that he likely didn’t know anything about her, other than her current predicament.
As she had inspected her reflection in the mirror, dressed in a robin’s-egg blue gown with lace adornments about the bodice and hem and seed pearls woven throughout, she felt her attire was presentable for the occasion. Her maid had pulled her dark hair up into an elegant chignon, but it was the slightly pale expression on her face and the wide-eyed panic in her blue eyes that ruined the elegant, outward appearance.
She’d glanced at the window in her room more than once, thinking that it wouldn’t be so difficult to sail out the second story and meet her demise on the hard ground below. But the thought of beingmaimed rather than succumbing to her injuries was enough to keep her plastered to her chair.
Satin, elbow-length white gloves covered her hands, while inside the material, her palms were perspiring and her fingers were shaking almost uncontrollably. There was a point when Catherine wasn’t sure she would be able to go through with the affair upright, but her pride would not allow her the horror of fainting the moment she spied her betrothed. Nor could she allow her parents the benefit of knowing she was so disturbed.
With her chin held high and her shoulders back, she gave the appearance of being calm and collected as she took her place at the front of the parlor, where a tall, broad-shouldered man stood with his back to her. She could see nothing but the back of his dark head and refused to look directly at him as she stood in front of the vicar while he began to speak.
Her parents were standing in as witnesses and Catherine was able to block out most of the vows until the point when it was expected of her to say, “I will.”
She was proud her voice didn’t waver, and she noticed that the baron’s didn’t, either, as he spoke the same words with an even tone, void of any sort of emotion. Her heart immediately dropped to her stomach, but she reminded herself that this was not a marriage born of love or a lengthy courtship. It was a hasty nuptial brought about of her own making. She had done her best to prove a point to her parents, but in the end, she had still paid the ultimate price by giving up her freedom to choose her own husband. Instead, Mrs. Dove-Lyon had chosen for her.
Anger bubbled up from within her at the thought of the Black Widow. Catherine would never forget the smug expression that the lady wore. She wouldn’t be quite so confident if word began to circulate that a match had gone terribly awry. It might go so far as to ruin her reputation and her precious Lyon’s Den that she had createdinto the vast empire it was. Catherine would love to see it all crumble to the ground. If she couldn’t bring her parents to her knees, at least she could make the woman who had sided with their demands pay.
By the time Catherine had finally turned to face her husband, she had regained control of most of her facilities. It was funny how revenge found a way to cure any upset.
When her gaze lit upon Baron Fontaine, she discovered that he was not terribly unbecoming. In truth, he was rather… pleasant in features. He had a trim waistline, if perhaps a bit too much, and a strong stature. His face was appealing, but not in a devilishly handsome way, rather a more cynical and domineering sense. His dark eyes certainly carried a hint of censure, but also a hint of appreciation as he looked at her.
She felt as though she were under an inspection, some sort of raw scrutiny that made her lips tighten. His gaze flashed, as if sensing her annoyance, and his lips curled.
She had no doubt the beginning of their marriage would prove challenging.
Perhaps the entirety of it.
Determined not to dwell on what was done, she signed her name on the marriage document next to that of the baron and then forced a smile as she said brightly, “Shall we go, my lord?”
Without waiting for a reply, she strode down the midst of the room, eager to escape the memory of her parents’ betrayal, praying that she hadn’t just entered into something far worse.
