Page 100 of Never a Bride
“No, it’s all right,” Alex said. Emmeline must have initiated this scene; how else would anyone know what had happened between them? He had wanted her to have her own life, but he’d never thought she would choose him. Yet she had. A few months ago he would have been horrified, but now he felt strangely…relieved.
“I will obtain a special license,” the marquess continued. “And youwillmarry her.”
“Of course I will.” Alex smiled reassuringly at his mother and brother, both of whom stared at him in shock.
Then he turned to Emmeline. He took her hands in his and kissed both of them. Looking deeply into her eyes, he felt bathed in a warmth that made him feel newly reborn. It was good that they’d be together, that she’d be waiting for him each night. She would become used to his schedule; things wouldn’t be so different. And he didn’t have to find the words he’d never had to say before.
He almost wanted to laugh. He never would have thought that his biggest scandal would be being manipulated by an innocent virgin.
But Emmeline was studying him worriedly.
Her father stepped between them. “There is nothing more to be said. She is coming home with me to prepare for the wedding, but I will send a messenger with the details.”
Alex looked at the marquess, knowing the man wasn’t capable of true fatherly concern. “I’ll abide by your wishes—for now.”
Emmeline left at her father’s side without looking back at him. He heard the echo of the front door slamming, then the suffocating silence of his family. He turned and smiled at them.
“Well. It seems I’m to be married.”
“I’m not sure what to say,” Spencer said. “I don’t know Lady Emmeline.”
“I do,” said their mother, frowning at Alex. “She is a good girl, and it is a shame to see her humiliated in such a way.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt her,Madre,” Alex said. “And I certainly wouldn’t have humiliated her like her father did.”
“Well, I am pleased you are taking responsibility for your actions, Alexander. And I approve of your choice of young ladies.”
“Did it look like I did the choosing?” Alex asked, forcing a laugh.
“I think you chose months ago, though you may not have known it.”
“That is absurd!”
She shrugged and spread her hands. “There is no more need to talk. I have a wedding to prepare for. Just tell me—is she with child?”
“No,” Alex said shortly.
Spencer gave him an incredulous stare. “So certain, are you?”
“Positive.”
Spencer nodded. “All right. I’ll send a message to Roselyn, but it’s too soon for the baby to travel. Such a shame. She’d want to seeyoumarried. Surely hell is freezing over as we speak.”
Alex rolled his eyes and started to walk out of the room.
“Wait!” Spencer called. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Of course you did.”
“Very well, I did. But before this whole marriage…erupted, I wanted to tell you about some important news I received this morning. And I wantedMadreto hear it, too.”
“Go ahead,” Alex said warily.
“I’ve been looking into the improvements you made to our Cumberland estates while I was in Spain and wanted to tell you how impressed I was—”
“Didn’t think I could make a success of things, did you?”
“I’ve always known you’re more than capable, Alex. And now it seems other people know, too.”
