Stop it!She chastised herself, remembering that the earl had had no interest in meeting her and that she was now bound to the man who stood before her. His name was Lord Middlemarch—a mealy-mouthed, pale, baron. His lips were thin, his eyes small and watery, and his smile insincere. Every time they spoke, he made it clear that he thought himself better than her. Her stomach churned as his mouth moved. He liked to talk about himself and his accomplishments—which mostly included what he inherited. Not once had he asked her about herself, her family, her wants, her needs, or her dreams. He had made no effort to woo her, this man. And why would he? There was noneed for it. He’d purchased her at auction. He owned her, just like a pet poodle.
Her only saving grace was that no one knew she’d been auctioned into marriage. Her identity as well as Middlemarch’s had been kept a secret. It saved her the humiliation of people knowing she’d been purchased but not the humiliation of people thinking she’d actually chosen such an odious man to be her husband. The thought made her want to scream. Still, she had to force herself to see the good in him. He was to be her child’s father, and he had the means and the title to provide her child with a proper future. In that respect, the auction had been a success.
Kate looked at Middlemarch and tried to imagine her life as his wife. She saw herself entering a ballroom on his arm and shivered. He would no doubt parade her around like a prized mare and then send her to a corner where she would be expected to remain silent for hours while he socialized. And what kind of father would he make? A harsh one she imagined. Someone who belittled his son, letting him know he was never good enough—never as capable and clever as his father.
Oh Theo, why did you have to leave us to the mercy of this man? Our little family. We would have been so happy together!
“Miss Sheldon,” Lord Middlemarch said, “You really must do something about your manners. You cannot be daydreaming while a gentleman—your future husband, for that matter—is talking to you. How am I supposed to take you out in public when you behave like this? It will be downright embarrassing. As a wife, it is your duty to serve me, and that means listening when I talk.” His mouth pursed into a sour grape like that of a petulant child.
She could stand no more. She’d sooner starve on the streets than marry a man like Lord Middlemarch. Her aunt had paid Mrs. Dove-Lyon a large sum of money and was doling out almostall of her life’s savings for Kate’s dowry, so the widow simply had to do better!
“We are not yet married, my lord, and if you don’t like the way I behave, you may leave,” she said, enjoying the momentary slackening of his mouth before his face tightened again.
“How dare you?” He spat the words. “I paid for you, and I own you. You will show me the respect and gratitude I command as your future husband. Do you understand?”
She straightened her back, ready to give the spineless worm a piece of her mind. “But we are not yet married, and if you—” she began, but was cut off when her aunt suddenly appeared by her side.
“My lord, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I wonder if I may have a word with my niece.”
“Take all the time you need, madam. I have decided to retire to the gaming room. If you are able to teach Miss Sheldon how to behave with manners toward her future husband and lord, she may send me a note of apology. Until then, we have nothing further to say to each other. Good evening.” He turned and marched toward the gaming room.
“Have you ever encountered such a rude and pompous man!” Kate fumed.
“Outside, please, Katherine.” Her aunt clutched her arm and led her across the ballroom through the French patio doors and into the garden. Aunt Jane did not start her lecture until they were safely ensconced in a remote part of the garden. “What in the world has gotten into you?” she asked once they were alone.
“The man is insufferable!” Kate said. “I must speak with Mrs. Dove-Lyon and tell her I cannot marry him. I am sure she will understand and make some other arrangement for me.”
“Katherine”—her aunt looked sternly at her—“you entered into a contract where you agreed to participate in that auction, and Mrs. Dove-Lyon doesn’t take kindly to those who cost hermoney and damage her reputation by breaking agreements with her.”
“But I can’t possibly marry that man.” Kate covered her face with her hands.
“Yes, you can”—Aunt Jane lowered her voice—“for the sake of your child, Kate, you must make amends with him. Even if Mrs. Dove-Lyon agreed to let you out of the contract, which I doubt, time is not on your side. Within a few weeks, you will start to show, and what will you do then? Mrs. Dove-Lyon instructed Lord Middleton to get a special license. She said the wedding needed to happen within a few days. That is for your protection. Now, if you want this marriage to take place before your change becomes visible, you must appease Lord Middlemarch.”
Kate shook her head, unable to get the words out of her mouth as her throat swelled. “It’s not fair,” she choked. “I was betrothed to a good man—a man I loved dearly—and because of a terrible accident, I am now forced into an unhappy marriage. What kind of a father will Lord Middlemarch make? He’s positively vulgar.”
“He’ll provide you and your child with security and a title.”
“Is that all that matters in the world?”
“Unfortunately, it matters a great deal. Think of your sisters, Kate. Their reputations are at stake.”
Kate nodded and wiped away the tear that flowed down her cheek. “I know you are right. I am behaving like a spoiled child. But I do worry if that man is capable of loving and being kind to my child, even if he believes it to be his own. He is so cold.”
“He can’t be all that bad,” her aunt said softly. “You’ve only just met him, and you’ve already decided against him. Perhaps, if you try being more gracious to him, he will be more amiable to you.”
Kate bit her lip. There was no point in arguing. Her aunt was right. She’d made a terrible mistake—one night of passion hadled to this. But she had to think of her sisters and her babe. Her happiness had been stolen from her the day the love of her life and her best friend had been killed in that terrible accident. That day, fate had turned against her. But that didn’t give her the right to steal her babe’s and her sisters’ futures. She couldn’t bear to see them suffer. She’d simply have to take comfort in their happiness. They would have a chance to marry for love—but for her, that chance was lost forever.
Guilt plagued Oliverafter he’d observed Miss Sheldon’s distress. Had Mrs. Dove-Lyon arranged a marriage between her and Lord Middlemarch? If so, Miss Sheldon didn’t look too pleased about it. And who could blame her? Judging from Middlemarch’s spiteful expression before he’d stalked off, it appeared as though he’d been rather unkind to her.
Oliver stood up and sighed. It was none of his business, yet he felt compelled to investigate. He followed Lord Middlemarch into the gaming room and, upon locating him in a darkened corner, drinking brandy alone at table, sat down beside him.
“Having a good night?” he asked.
“Not entirely.” Middlemarch picked up his brandy glass and drained it.
“Who was that lovely young lady I saw you talking to earlier?” Oliver said in a deliberately casual tone.
Middlemarch snorted. “No one special. Just another woman who managed to ensnare a peer into marriage. And she’s an ungrateful one too.”
