The Viscount's Runaway Bride (Marriage by Bargain Book 1)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

“Yes, I know. He apologized profusely for his actions, but it doesn’t change anything. He married someone on his way to Hamilton.”

  “But…but…how? Why?”

  “That’s just it. I really don’t know. All he told me was that he met his wife in a town on his way to the country. They met and knew they belonged together.”

  “That’s all? There wasn’t anything else?” Loretta asked.

  “No. I only know they married the same day they met.”

  Loretta’s jaw dropped. The very same day? And she was told to wait an entire winter for him?

  “I don’t understand what’s so special about Damara,” Celia said.

  Damara. So that was the name of the lady he married. Loretta nearly gagged. “Is she more pleasing to the eye than I am?” Loretta asked.

  “I don’t think so, but she’s somehow managed to enchant him. I’d swear she was a witch if I believed in such things. Their relationship makes no sense to me.” She crossed her arms and pouted. “It must be her figure. She has an ample bosom. From what I hear, gentlemen like that kind of thing.”

  “Lady Eloise said as long as they can hold a lady’s breast in their hand, they don’t care much about the size.”

  Celia snorted. “What does Lady Eloise know?”

  Loretta gasped. “You must not speak of her like that. She’d have you removed from the group.”

  “Are you going to tell her I said that?”

  “Of course not. You’re my dearest friend in all the world. I’ll take your transgression to my grave.”

  “And I’ll take all of your transgressions to my grave, too. We can be completely honest with each other.” She groaned in frustration. “This is why we would have made the best sisters-in-law. We have a friendship better than any other.”

  “I agree. We do.” And it was a bonus that Celia’s brother happened to be so handsome.

  “If I didn’t have my heart set on marrying my brother’s friend, I’d marry one of your brothers.”

  Loretta grimaced. “They’re boring. You’re better off with Corin.”

  “And I’ll have him. You can be sure of that.”

  “May you have better luck than I did.”

  “He fancies me. There’s no mistaking the way he looks at me. He has a certain twinkle in his eye. It’s the look of love. I’m just waiting for him to be ready for marriage. In the meantime, I need to find out more about Damara. She’s hiding something.”

  Loretta’s eyebrows furrowed. “She is?”

  “There’s something she doesn’t want me to know.”

  “Do you have any idea what that something could be?”

  “It has something to do with her parents. When I asked her about them, she spilled tea on her dress and made up a flimsy excuse about a mouse or a bug running across her feet.”

  “A mouse or a bug?”

  Celia nodded. “Can you believe that? Like a bug can be large enough to mistake for a mouse. I saw right through that lie, but Anthony’s so naïve he believed her. And more than that, he’s not the least bit interested in finding out her secret. In fact, last night he ordered me to stop prying into Damara’s past.”

  “He did?”

  Celia nodded. “Right before dinner. I’m telling you, something’s wrong with her, and I’m not going to rest until I figure out what it is. But in order to do that, I need to be careful. I can’t let her suspect what I’m doing. I’ll need to invite her to the Ladies of Grace social engagement.”

  Loretta felt her heart plummet. She loved that group. If Damara was going to be a part of it, she didn’t know if she could bear to stay in it. “You do?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Lady Eloise won’t let her in. I only want to make Damara comfortable. I want her to think I’m her friend. It’s the only way she’ll let the truth slip.”

  In that case, Loretta supposed she didn’t mind it. “All right.”

  “There’s no way I’m ever going to be her friend for real,” Celia promised. “Marrying my brother was a huge betrayal, and I won’t forgive her for that.”

  “Do you think she knew he was betrothed to me? He might not have told her.”

  “She knew. Ladies can sense whether a gentleman’s available or not. It’s instinct.” Celia gave Loretta a hug then rose to her feet. “We’ll find out the truth. Then my brother will know what a mistake he made.”

  While he might realize he’d made a mistake, it wouldn’t change the fact that he was still married. Nothing was going to change that. And Loretta wasn’t sure where that left her.

  ***

  Damara giggled as Anthony kissed her neck. They were in his den, and she was sitting on his lap. Originally, they had begun a game of chess, but before long, she couldn’t resist the temptation to start kissing him. And the next thing she knew, he had pulled her onto his lap and continued kissing her. She didn’t know whether he remembered the chess game or not, but she was having too much fun to remind him about it.

  “I usually enjoy London, but I keep wishing we were still at the estate,” he told her. “It was nice when it was just the two of us.”

  She cupped the back of his neck with her hands. “It’s just the two of us right now.”

  “Yes, but that won’t last for long. I promised my sister I’d help her friend find a husband.” He caressed her back. “That means I have to go to White’s before the day is over.”

  “At least you no longer have to worry about whether or not she’ll accept our marriage.”

  “Yes, that’s true. I suppose going to White’s is worth the time spent away from you.”

  “I think it’s wonderful that you’ll miss me.”

  “Wonderful?”

  She grinned at his baffled tone. “It’s better than being married to someone you can’t wait to get away from.”

  “Yes. There is that.” He brought her closer to him and kissed her again.

  With a contented sigh, she kissed him back. She imagined that heaven would be a lot like this. Sheer bliss and joy. She’d never thought this kind of happiness possible when she was with her parents. But now that she knew it was possible, she craved more of it.

  A knock at the door made her stop kissing him.

  He let out a soft groan to express his disappointment then called out, “Who is it?”

  “It’s Celia,” came the familiar voice from the other side of the door.

  He glanced at Damara. “She’s probably wondering why I haven’t already gone to White’s.”

  Damara giggled and gave him a quick kiss before getting off his lap. “The sooner you go to White’s, the sooner you can come back to me.”

  “When you put it that way, I should leave at once.” He stood up and patted the small of her back. “I’ll be counting down the minutes to when we’re together again.”

  “I will, too.”

  He went to the door and opened it.

  “Usually, you just call for me to come in,” Celia told him.

  He shrugged. “I thought I’d open the door this time. Did you come to ask me why I’m not at White’s looking for Loretta’s future husband?”

  “No. Actually, I came to talk to Damara. The footman said she was in here with you.”

  “Yes.” He gestured to Damara. “We were playing chess.”

  Celia looked over at her. “You like chess?”

  “It’s a pleasant enough game,” Damara replied as she walked to the door. “What would you like to talk to me about?”

  “I’d like to invite you to a very prestigious group.” Celia shot Anthony a pointed look. “It’s only for ladies. I’m afraid you’re not welcome. Just as we’re not welcome to White’s.”

  “I have no desire to know more about Ladies of Grace than I already do,” Anthony assured his sister. He gave Damara a kiss on the cheek. “I shall be off to White’s. I’ll see you later.”

  Damara nodded and watched as he left the room.

  “What a relief,” Celia said as she stepped into the room and s
hut the door. “I thought he’d never leave. It’s not fair that he keeps you all to himself.” She showed Damara the invitation she was holding. “I have something important to discuss with you. Come.”

  Intrigued, Damara followed her to the chairs and sat in the one beside her.

  “As a member of Ladies of Grace, I am allowed to invite one lady to their next social engagement,” Celia said. “This card will let you join me.” She held it out to her. “Take a look at it and tell me if you’re interested.”

  Damara accepted the invitation and read it. The script was neatly done, proving that great care had been taken in writing it.

  “Lady Eloise wrote it,” Celia told her. “She’s the daughter of the Duke of Silverton. She’s very influential despite her young age. Some say she’ll become more prominent than even Lady Cadwalader in a few years. And you know how well-respected Lady Cadwalader is.”

  No, Damara didn’t, but since she was expected to, she smiled and nodded. If Celia suspected she had no idea who anyone was in London, she’d want to ask the questions Damara most wanted to avoid answering.

  “Well, it’s to your advantage that you know me,” Celia continued. “Without me, you wouldn’t have a chance to talk to her. She’s extremely busy. Her time is very important. But, she’ll make time for you because you’ll be coming with me. If you can get her approval, then you’ll be part of a very influential group in London.” Celia smiled. “I don’t need to tell you what an honor that would be, do I?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  Damara returned her smile then let her gaze return to the invitation. The social affair was a tea luncheon at Lady Eloise’s townhouse. She supposed it would be small enough so Lord Comwright wouldn’t find out she was there. She had no desire to become influential in London. Doing so would only draw undue attention to her. But Celia was making an attempt to be her friend, and she didn’t dare refuse the offer, especially not since Celia was Anthony’s sister.

  “I’ll be happy to go with you,” Damara told Celia.

  Celia clapped her hands. “Good! Now, we must pick out gowns for the occasion.”

  “You want to get a new gown?” Considering how many clothes Celia already had, Damara was surprised Celia felt the need to buy more.

  “Both of us will need a new gown,” Celia said. “No one must ever go to Lady Eloise’s in something she already wore. It must be the first time she wears it. To do otherwise would ruin your chances of becoming a Ladies of Grace member.”

  “Oh. All right.”

  “I’m going to take you to my favorite seamstress. She has a way of knowing which type of gown will fit your figure. That way, you’ll look your best.”

  Damara had to admit that sounded tempting. Anthony hadn’t voiced a single complaint about her figure, but if she could accentuate her better features, she might be even more pleasing to him. She followed an excited Celia out of the room, wondering how her life might change now that she had made her very first friend.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it to London this year,” Warren Beaufort, the Earl of Steinbeck, said as Anthony arrived at White’s.

  Anthony walked over to his friend who was sitting with Corin in the corner of the room. “I finally made it in,” Anthony replied.

  “Did you purposely delay coming back because of the wedding?” Corin asked, his voice sympathetic.

  “No. Thankfully, that wasn’t the reason.” Anthony pulled up a chair and sat with his friends. “I was delayed because I happened to marry the most wonderful lady last autumn and was reluctant to leave the country.”

  “Why were you reluctant in returning? Did you have to come without her?” Corin asked.

  Anthony smiled. “No. I brought her with me. It’s just that it’s hard to be away from her.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and added, “My activities alone with her are far more enjoyable than anything London has to offer.”

  “Those activities can be done in your townhouse,” Warren pointed out.

  “Yes,” Anthony allowed, “but there was a lot more privacy at the estate. There, I could enjoy her in different places. The townhouse is more restrictive.”

  Corin sighed. “It’s times like this that I wish I had a wife so I could complain about where I can or can’t enjoy her.”

  “What’s stopping you from getting married?” Warren asked.

  “I want to secure more of a fortune before I take a bride,” Corin told Warren. “The more money I can bring into the marriage, the better my selection of ladies will be. I don’t want to marry just anyone. I want her to be the right one. I want what you have with Iris and what he apparently has with his wife.” He turned his gaze to Anthony. “Who is she? She can’t be Loretta. Not with the way you dreaded marrying her.”

  “She’s most definitely not Loretta. The two are nothing alike. Her name is Damara, and she makes me glad to wake up every morning. Since I’ve been with her, I find it hard to concentrate on anything other than her.”

  “Please tell us that doesn’t include money,” Warren said, seeming panicked at the thought.

  Anthony offered a sheepish shrug. “I’m afraid so. While money is still important, I’d rather spend time with her than talk about investments.”

  Warren gasped. “How is that possible? Even with Iris, I maintain my enthusiasm for money.”

  “That’s because you and Iris share a mutual interest in the topic.”

  “I agree,” Corin said as he picked up his glass of brandy. He took a sip then added, “You two probably discuss different investment tactics while you’re in bed.”

  “Yes, we do,” Warren admitted, “but only when we’re done with other things.”

  Corin smirked. “I don’t know. With your enthusiasm for money, I suspect talking about investments is how you two get aroused.”

  “Come now,” Anthony said, offering his friend an amused grin, “you shouldn’t give our friend a difficult time. If you do, he might not invite his father-in-law to one of his dinner parties. Or one of ours, for that matter.”

  “Well, since you put it that way…” Corin looked at Warren, a contrite expression on his face. “I believe you, Warren. You don’t think about money all the time.”

  Though Warren rolled his eyes, he was losing the battle over hiding his smile. Warren cleared his throat and straightened in his chair. “Anthony, when will we get to meet your wife?”

  “Any time you want. I can have a dinner party,” Anthony offered.

  Warren shook his head. “I can’t go to one of your dinner parties. Not if your sister will be there.”

  “Especially not if your sister is there,” Corin added.

  Anthony should have expected this. Warren had warned him that Iris didn’t like Celia, and Corin had no intention of marrying Celia. It made sense the two didn’t relish the idea of going to his dinner parties. If only Celia didn’t insist on being there when he gave them, then there wouldn’t be any problems with it.

  “I can have a dinner party,” Warren spoke up. “Iris likes the two of you, and her father would probably be willing to attend.”

  “That would be best,” Anthony said. “And I won’t mention it to my sister, so Corin, you can go with anyone you wish.”

  “Can’t I come alone?” Corin asked.

  “You could,” Anthony began, “but it’d be best if you got serious about finding a wife. Celia has her heart set on marrying you.”

  The color drained from Corin’s face. “Did she say that?”

  “She said she has someone in mind. She didn’t say who, and I didn’t ask. But she has no interest in meeting gentlemen in hopes of finding someone else. If you don’t find someone quick, she might tighten her grip on you. Celia has a way of getting something if she wants it badly enough.”

  Corin grimaced. “Very well. I’ll turn my attention to the ladies this Season.”

  “Don’t look it as if it’s a horrible venture,” Warren sa
id. “Marrying Iris was the best thing that ever happened to me. If you want, I can give you the Duchess of Ashbourne’s information. She matched me up with Iris.”

  “I don’t know if I’m brave enough to leave my fate in the hands of someone else,” Corin replied. “I’d like to pick the lady myself.”

  “Well, then you better get on it,” Anthony said. “There’s no telling what Celia will plan if she suspects you aren’t willing to marry her.” Which reminded him of the main reason he’d come here today. “You both know Loretta Bachman, my sister’s friend.”

  “Oh good heavens! You don’t expect me to consider her, do you?” Corin asked, his already pale face getting even whiter.

  Anthony resisted the urge to tease him. But if he did, the gentleman might keel over and turn into a ghost right before his eyes. “No, I most certainly do not,” he quickly assured his friend. “But I promised Celia I’d help Loretta find a husband.” To further put his friend at ease, he added, “I’m also going to be looking for someone for Celia. Even if she might have her heart set on marrying you, it’s possible the right gentleman might come along to whisk her off to a vicar.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Corin said.

  “But it would help if you two assisted me. I only know so many gentlemen.”

  Warren shook his head. “Why don’t you arrange something with the Duchess of Ashbourne? I’m telling you, she and her friends can make love matches. Their boast is not in vain.”

  “I can’t come out and arrange these marriages,” Anthony argued. “It has to seem as if Loretta and Celia are choosing these gentlemen.”

  “It seems like a needless waste of time to me,” Warren said, “but we’ll do it your way.”

  “Thank you,” Anthony replied.

  “I’ll talk with Iris about having the dinner party,” Warren began, “and I’ll send you both an invitation when she says she wants to have it.”

  Corin’s eyebrow arched. “When she says she wants to have it?”

  “When a gentleman gets married, he does well to let his wife make the decisions,” Warren replied.

  Corin glanced at Anthony. “Is this true?”