Big Bad Fake Groom: A Billionaire's Virgin Romance

by Tia Siren

It was Tomas Hurley. He was the brother of a duke, the beloved Edward Hurley, who was a business acquaintance of her father. But unlike, the Duke, Tomas was rather disagreeable. He had an unpleasant look on his face.

  Isabeau’s heart hardened instantly, and she pulled back a little, not wanting to be too close to him until she had to be. He was on her card and she had forgotten it. She probably didn’t want to remember. He had a strange fascination with her, and if she could have avoided the invitation, she definitely would have. But her mother had insisted that both the Duke and his brother would be on her card, whether or not she liked them. They were prominent in society and must not be shunned.

  She watched as Tomas Hurley passed the Earl. Both men nodded once and said the first name of the other. There was no love lost between them. She wasn’t surprised. She took a few steps toward the door, hoping to avoid having to speak to him but he was coming straight for her.

  She curtsied when he got closer. “Mr Hurley. How are you feeling this evening?”

  “I’m doing well.” His voice was somewhat high-pitched, reminding her of what she felt a weasel would sound like if it could talk. “I saw that Earl Barnaby had to go in search of you before the last dance. I hope you will see to it that I do not have to do the same.”

  “I…I do believe there is another gentleman before you on my dance card,” she said hesitantly. She didn’t want to dance with him in the first place, much less go out of her way to make sure she was present on time.

  “Precisely why I came to find you. I have told you previously of my fondness for you. It looks somewhat inappropriate for you to be dancing with another man on the veranda where no one else is present.”

  Isabeau blinked. It was true that he had expressed his desire to see her more often, and he had come by the house on occasion to make it clear to her family, as well. But they knew she had no affection for him, which doubled her frustration that her mother had insisted Tomas Hurley be on her dance card.

  “I…am sorry that you feel that way, Mr Hurley. If you would like to cancel your dance with me because of this blight, I would understand.” She could only wish. She knew he would answer the way he did.

  “No, I am still willing to dance with you. You will just have to curb your desire to stray when you don’t believe you are being seen.”

  Isabeau felt rage surge through her. Outwardly, she curtsied again and smiled at him as she went past. She dared not say a word or her anger would betray her. She wondered if she could run out the door before her dance with him and make it home before he could sound an alarm. She could barely contain her anger, and it ruined the dance with Lord Carlisle, who was next on her card. He was friendly, but she could do no more than fake a smile and dread the moment she would be dancing with Mr Hurley.

  There was a ten-minute break before the last two dances. Isabeau spent that time standing to the side with Anne, wishing she had the courage just to leave. If it hadn’t been for the Duke, Tomas Hurley’s agreeable brother, she would have. She knew it meant a lot to be on the Duke’s good side and if that meant dancing with his brother, then so be it.

  The time was almost upon her. She felt pressured, anxious.

  “Oh, I am not going to like this dance, Anne.” She moaned. Anne took her hand and squeezed it.

  “I know. I didn’t enjoy my dance with him either. He is very cold and goes through the motions as if I was a big doll of some kind. He only has eyes for you and that is a sad situation for you, my dear.”

  “I know. It is extremely troublesome. I fear what he might do when he realizes I am not going to marry him. I don’t even want to dance with him.”

  Anne nodded. “I understand. It’s only a short while. Then you will be free of him.”

  “But for how long? Until he comes knocking at my door again?” She shook her head and sighed.

  “Here he comes,” Anne said, dropping her eyes. “Stay calm and just dance, Izzie.”

  Chapter Two

  From the moment he had her in his arms, Mr Hurley was forceful and firm. He moved her around the dance floor instead of dancing with her. His movements were jerky, and he stomped his feet instead of moving them gracefully. She understood Anne’s analogy of a feeling like a doll. It was not easy to keep up with him.

  When he began to talk to her, his words distracted her from his terrible dancing.

  “I have been meaning to speak to your father, Lady Isabeau. I intend to ask for your hand. I believe you know that I have been feeling this way since the beginning of the Season.”

  “I do,” she admitted, not knowing how to stop the conversation.

  “When I speak to him, I would rather you be present so that you can be in agreement with me.”

  “I…”

  “I know that you have a busy schedule, but I’m sure you can free up some of your time. You will also need to inform any other suitors, such as Jonathan Barnaby, of your intentions so that there will be no more inappropriate behaviors on your part.”

  “Mr Hurley…”

  “You should call me Tomas, Isabeau. That is appropriate when courting.”

  “Mr Hurley!” Isabeau forced herself to continue dancing and kept her voice down to a low hiss. “I am so sorry that you have gotten the wrong impression about my feelings for you. I have not agreed to court or marry you and cannot give my agreement to my father on your behalf.”

  She saw his jawline tense up and was amazed that he continued dancing. He responded in an equally low and angry voice. “I have made my intentions clear to you for several weeks. You have not spurned my advances until now.”

  “I do apologize that you didn’t listen to me when we spoke on the previous occasions. In reality, Mr Hurley, and with all due respect, I have indeed let you know that I have no intention of marrying a man I do not love.”

  “You will learn to love me.”

  “I’m sorry, Lord, but I do not believe that is possible.”

  His grip on her waist was so tight; it was beginning to hurt. The hand that he was holding was also caught in his strength. She began to breathe quickly, trying to ignore the pain.

  “I do not like to be disrespected, Isabeau.”

  “Please, you are hurting me.”

  “My family is very prominent in this district, as you well know. I am sure your mother and father would take my side in this arrangement.”

  He had not relaxed his grip on her, and she feared he might break her hand if she didn’t wrench away from him soon.

  “My parents are fully aware of my feelings. Again, I am sorry that you feel this way and please, you are hurting my hand.”

  The music came to an abrupt end, and she felt a rush of relief. She pulled away from him, looked at him through fearful eyes and retreated back to the table she and Anne were sharing. His returning stare had been cold and angry. She was breathing rapidly when she reached the table and sat in the chair, once again pulling out her fan and waving it quickly in front of her face.

  Anne was there only moments later and leaned down next to her friend.

  “Izzie! You look very flushed. Back out on the veranda for you, come now, dear.” She took Isabeau’s arm and pulled her to her feet.

  “I am very hot, Anne. And I am angry. I think I might faint.”

  “No, we can’t let that happen. Come on.” Anne led Isabeau out onto the veranda and this time, they walked in the other direction. Several iron benches had been placed there in a semi-circle. Anne lowered Isabeau to sit and then sat next to her.

  “What has happened to you, Izzie? You must tell me! Was he cruel to you?”

  “He expects me to marry him. He says he will ask my father for my hand.”

  “There is little chance your father would agree to such a union!” Anne sounded confident. “Your father is not the type of man to sell his daughter to the highest bidder!”

  Isabeau’s thoughts drifted to Mr Hurley’s brother, the Duke, Edward. “The Duke has great status. I fear he will be angry with me.”

&
nbsp; Anne grabbed one of Isabeau’s small hands in both of hers and rubbed it gently. “No. I hear that the Duke doesn’t even like his brother. And haven’t you danced with Edward already?”

  “Yes, I have.”

  “Then you don’t have to worry, do you. He did not treat you badly, did he?”

  “Of course not. But he…”

  “I don’t want to hear it now. You just calm your heart, dear, and pay no mind to Tomas Hurley. We have just one dance left before we go home to our beds. And tomorrow will be another bright and beautiful day, won’t it? We should go for a picnic, how does that sound?”

  Isabeau smiled at her. “I like that, Anne, let’s do that.”

  “It’s a date.” Anne leaned over and pulled Isabeau into a hug. Checking her dance card, Isabeau saw that there were two more dances, not one, as Anne had said. She stood up and took Lord Wright’s hand when he offered it to her, glad that her smile could be genuine. She wanted to relax from her anger and tension. Lord George Wright was an older gentleman and a splendid dancer. She was able to relax and enjoy herself, chatting with him about the weather and several mutual friends. He even told her a few jokes, making her laugh easily.

  When the dance was finished, he bowed to her and said he enjoyed her company. She agreed, and they turned away from each other. As she made her way back to the table once more, she passed Jonathan Barnaby and smiled at him.

  “Hello again,” she said.

  He didn’t return her smile, giving her a cold look instead, one that reminded her of Tomas Hurley. She stopped in her tracks and stared at him, not expecting the onslaught that was to come.

  “Let me just inform you, Lady Camm, that I have no intention of allowing you to mock me in any way, shape or form. The dance on the veranda was not a marriage proposal, and I suggest you think twice before spreading such lies again.”

  He turned on his heel and stomped away from her, leaving her stunned and hurt. She looked around, noticing that everyone in the room had listened to what had just transpired. Movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she saw Anne heading toward her with an apprehensive look on her face. When she got to her, Anne took Isabeau’s arm and pulled gently on her.

  “We must go outside and talk, Izzie. Come!”

  When the doors closed behind them, Anne began to talk quickly. “What did you say to Tomas Hurley, Izzie? I know you didn’t want to dance with him, but you must have said something terrible for him to be speaking of you the way he is.”

  “What is he saying? What did I say?” Isabeau was confused.

  “I don’t know what you said. But he is going around telling everyone that you have said some awful things about them.”

  “The Earl…”

  “Yes, I heard him tell Earl Barnaby that you wouldn’t stop talking about how you had planned the dance on the veranda and that you were sure to get his money or a title soon. He was calling you some terrible names, implying that you are not a clean or a good woman.”

  “Why would anyone believe him?” Isabeau was incredulous.

  “Well, obviously not everyone did. But I guess Earl Barnaby has heard that said so many times, he just believes it without thinking twice about it.”

  Isabeau was dismayed. Her dance with the Earl had been the highlight of her evening. She had felt comfortable, happy and safe with the Earl. The thought that he would ever want to court or marry her hadn’t crossed her mind. She’d enjoyed herself and genuinely liked him. Now he was inaccessible. She sighed.

  “I do not understand why he is doing this.”

  “We know why he is saying those things, Izzie! You told him you weren’t going to court him, didn’t you?”

  “I had to. He was making demands.”

  “I would have done the same thing, dear. We’ll get through this. We’ll straighten it out somehow.”

  “If he is saying these things to everyone here, I can only imagine what he will tell the Duke. He has always been so kind to my family. He came to speak to father when Tomas Hurley came by. He has never said a cross word to anyone that I know of. I don’t want to be the first.”

  “I just don’t think the Duke will do that.” Anne shook her head. “He is a good man. Everyone likes him. He’s the complete opposite of his brother. It’s as if he got all the good traits and Tomas got the bad.”

  “Perhaps that’s why he’s such a sour man.” Isabeau sighed.

  “It would not surprise me.” Anne agreed. “There is one more dance; we should go inside, so they aren’t looking for us. Who is on your card?”

  She didn’t have to look. After the dance with Tomas, she’d looked for both Lords to make sure they were there and she would be able to escape after her dances with them. She and Anne went back in, and Isabeau tried to ignore the looks she was getting from both Lords and Ladies all around the room. Tomas had made the rounds, whispering in the ears of the gossipers and pushing his story to the limits. When Isabeau approached Lord Dyason, he very obviously backed away from her, holding his hands up in the air in a “stop” motion. He shook his head and laughed loudly.

  “Oh, I think I will keep my money, Lady Isabeau if you don’t mind. I’m sure you will find a nice wealthy man to keep you in your lavish lifestyle, don’t you?” He continued to laugh and those around him began to laugh, as well.

  She looked around at them, her cheeks a deep red and her face hot. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest as the humiliation ran through her.

  “I…I never said anything of the sort about Earl Barnaby!” She exclaimed, grabbing her skirts in her hands and clutching the fabric tightly.

  “If you didn’t, how did you know who I was talking about?” The young man said in a teasing voice. Again, the group around him began to laugh.

  Isabeau didn’t think her cheeks could get any redder. She huffed and turned away from him.

  The sound of their laughter echoed in her ears as she dashed for the door. Tears had erupted in her eyes and were streaming down her cheeks. She saw Anne hurrying after her, brushing off the waiting arms of her last dance partner. Anne caught up with her outside near the carriage they had taken together and pulled her into a hug.

  “Come on, Isabeau, I’ll take you home. I’ll stay with you tonight. Things will look different in the morning.”

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, Isabeau woke up with a pounding headache. She spent the entire morning nursing it, trying not to speak too much or let a lot of light into her eyes. She discussed the night before over a late breakfast her mother prepared for her. Lady Camm could only shake her head in disgust.

  “That young man is vile,” she said angrily, shaking her head. “I knew that every time he came over here. Your father knows it, too. He will not give his permission for your hand to that Tomas Hurley, I promise you.”

  “Oh mother, I’m so glad to hear that. I don’t know what I would do. I worry about what the Duke, his brother, will think. Do you think he will take his support from father’s business?”

  Lady Camm laughed softly, bringing over a cup of hot tea and setting it down in front of Isabeau before sitting down with her own. “No, dear. The Duke is good friends with your father. Raymond had said several times that if he had a son, he would have wanted a son like Edward.”

  “But the Duke’s devotion to his brother might change their relationship.” Isabeau spoke weakly, wishing she could ignore the pain in her head.

  “I am told they spend very little time together when they are not destined for the same place. I do not think they are very close. It never appeared to me that he was tightly knit with Tomas.”

  “I wish I knew.”

  An hour later, Isabeau was feeling better. She had begun a game of cards with her mother, and they were laughing when a knock on the door got their attention. They both turned and waited to see who would be announced. The door swung open, and Hannah put her head in.

  “Ladies Camm, Duke Edward Hurley is here for a visit.” She opened the do
or the rest of the way and showed the Duke in.

  Both ladies stood up and curtsied to the Duke. He bowed to them.

  “Ladies, it is good to see you on this bright morning. I do hope you have had a good day so far?”

  “Yes, my Lord.” Isabeau and her mother spoke at the same time.

  “Lady Camm, I believe you were a little under the weather last time I was here. I trust you are on the mend?”

  “Completely mended, thank you, your Grace.” Isabeau’s mother smiled. “Please do have a seat.”

  The Duke nodded and sat in a chair that was nearer to Isabeau. The women sat and tried not to stare at the Duke. He was a handsome man to say the least. He had dark brown hair that waved down to his shoulders and soft chocolate brown eyes that sparkled with good humor.

  “I have come to see you this morning, Lady Isabeau, I hope that’s all right.”

  “Certainly, your Grace.”

  “I was witness to what transpired last night with my brother.”

  Isabeau felt her heart jump up into her throat. She kneaded her hands together in her lap, nervously.

  “If you don’t mind.” Her mother stood up suddenly. “I do believe I will give you young people some privacy.”

  “You may stay if you would like, Victoria. I do not push people out of their own homes.”

  “No, I would be more comfortable letting you discuss this with Isabeau.”

  “All right.” He stood up as she went to the door. When she passed through it, he sat back down, looking at Isabeau once more. “As I was saying, I was there last night and saw what happened with Tomas.”

  “I do apologize, your Grace, I was not aware that he would…that he would…”

  “Make up fiction and tell stories about you behind your back?” The Duke supplied the words. Isabeau looked down at her hands and nodded. “You must not feel sorry about it for even a moment longer, Isabeau. No one with any substance believes a word that my brother says. Those who know him best, know him for the liar he is.”

  Isabeau closed her eyes, feeling her headache disappearing. “It relieves me to hear you say that, your Grace. I was…quite devastated last night. And Earl Barnaby…”