Ruined by the Earl (Marriage by Deceit Book 3)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “My wanting out of this marriage has nothing to do with him.”

  “No?”

  “No. I just can’t bear the thought of having to see you every day for the rest of my life.”

  He had the nerve to act surprised by her statement, though there was no way he could have been. She’d never once given him any indication that she enjoyed his company.

  “Surely, my father can pay you whatever you want to release me from the marriage,” she said.

  “Your brother already offered me money to let you out of it,” he replied.

  “He did?”

  “Yes.”

  He went over to the chair in front of the table with the tea and crumpets and sat down. She followed him to the chair he decided to sit in and stood in front of him. Oh good heavens. He was sitting. Sitting was never a good thing. It meant the visitor meant to stay for a while. Maybe if she refused to sit, he’d be less inclined to make himself comfortable.

  “If my brother offered you money,” she began, “then you’ll take it.”

  To her dismay, he leaned forward and poured tea into two cups. “I turned down the offer,” he told her.

  “Why?”

  “Because it wasn’t worth it.”

  Melissa couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “But you only kissed me to get to the money.”

  He held her cup out to her, but she shook her head. There was no way she’d ever eat or drink anything with him. Ever.

  With a shrug, he set the cup down and picked up his, along with a crumpet. “Doesn’t your family ever eat anything besides crumpets?” He showed it to her. “I like them well enough, but tarts and scones are much better.”

  “Why didn’t you accept the money?” Melissa demanded, unwilling to change the topic. He was baiting her, trying to get her to talk about something else. But she wouldn’t do it.

  He bit into the crumpet and leaned back in the chair. “You should feel complemented. I want to be with you so much that I won’t let something like money get in our way.”

  “But money was the only reason you trapped me into marriage.”

  He grimaced. “I wouldn’t say trapped.” After he took a sip from his tea, he continued, “I’d say money was the compelling force used by fate to bring us together.”

  “Well, it can also be the compelling force that keeps us apart.”

  Chuckling, he waved off her comment. “You’re so adorable when you’re upset.”

  She clenched her dress. Why did he have to be so difficult?

  “You know, I like this side of you,” he said. “You’ve got a lovely spark of passion under those tears.” He finished his tea and set his cup down. “Also, I like your father. He’s a gentleman who knows how to get the most out of life, and I suspect he’s had some influence on you.”

  “I already get the most out of life.”

  He shot her a sympathetic look. “You really believe that, don’t you?”

  “I don’t like what you’re implying, and I don’t have to stand for this any longer.”

  “Good point. I think it’s about time you sat down. It can’t be comfortable talking to someone while you’re standing.”

  “I want you to leave.”

  There. As rude as it was, she said it. Her parents would be appalled if they knew, but she’d had it with him. He was insufferable. If she had to bear with him one minute longer, she just might take him up on his offer and throw something at him.

  “Can I have a kiss first?” he asked.

  She gasped. “No.”

  “You kissed Lord Waxman.”

  “I like him.”

  “Come now, Melissa. Is that any way to talk to the father of your future children?”

  “Don’t call me Melissa.”

  “Why not? We’ll be wed soon enough. You should call me Logan. It’s much more personal.”

  “I don’t want to be personal with you,” she replied, edging away from him. “I don’t want to marry you. I don’t want to even talk to you. I don’t want to have anything to do with you.” She hurried over to the doorway and gestured to it. “All I want is for you to be out of my life.”

  “I’ll leave,” he said as he rose to his feet. “But I won’t give up the honor of marrying you. The money will come in handy. I won’t deny that. However, I suspect the real prize is you.”

  She glowered at him, but he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he headed for the doorway. He didn’t go through it right away as she hoped. He paused when he reached her and turned to her.

  “I didn’t tell you this before, but I like your name,” he said. “It suits you. Graceful and lovely.”

  She continued to glare at him, unaffected by his so-called charm. He could say whatever he wanted. She wasn’t going to be lulled into believing he was sincere. He was a loathsome beast, and that was all he’d ever be.

  He leaned forward to kiss her, but she quickly backed up. “You dare put your lips on me, and I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you ever do.”

  To her surprise, he smiled, as if pleased. “I think you might throw the book at me yet.”

  She watched him leave, a frown deepening. Why that should make him happy, she couldn’t tell. But he was happy, nonetheless, and this only served to irritate her all the more. Why was he enjoying her misery? Because he was a scoundrel, and that’s what scoundrels did. They enjoyed making people miserable. And she had no doubt that in all of London, there was never a worst scoundrel than Logan, the Lord of Toplyn.

  Chapter Six

  Two weeks later, things were relatively calm when Malcolm insisted on seeing Logan. It wasn’t that Logan minded the visit. He just didn’t care for the way Malcolm stormed into his den, looking as if he wanted a fight.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Logan asked as he glanced up from the book he was reading.

  Malcolm plopped in the chair across from him and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Why won’t you answer any of my missives?”

  “I didn’t have anything to say.”

  “So you read them.”

  Logan shrugged. “It would be rude of me to ignore my beloved’s brother.”

  “She’s not your beloved, and we both know it.”

  “Someday she might be my beloved. At the very least, she’ll be the mother of my children.”

  Malcolm frowned. “I see you make it a point to visit her every day.”

  “I try. Unfortunately, she’s gotten rather shy and has taken to hiding when I come over.”

  Such had been the case ever since that day Logan caught the utterly perfect Lord Waxman stealing a kiss in her drawing room with the doors wide open where anyone could see. The gentleman had a lot of nerve, kissing another gentleman’s future wife. The good thing was Lord Waxman hadn’t been back since. If he had, then Logan might have had to find a way to publicly disgrace him so he’d back off.

  When Logan realized Malcolm was staring at him, he asked, “What?”

  “You will not marry my sister,” Malcolm said.

  “Well, not today.”

  “You will not marry her at all.”

  Logan had no idea why her brother continued to press the issue. The banns had been read twice. There was no stopping things at this point. Malcolm knew all of this, and yet, he insisted on aggravating Logan. “Your sister will be fine. I’ll allow her freedoms ladies only dream of when they get married.”

  “You’ll imprison her.”

  “I’ll do nothing of the sort.”

  “Yes, you will. You’re already stifling her. She stays inside her bedchamber most of the time now. My sister, who once had spirit and joy, now wanders the place like a ghost seeking something it can’t obtain.”

  Unable to stop himself, Logan laughed. “While that’s poetic, it doesn’t do your sister justice. Your sister is only upset because she doesn’t know what’s good for her. Once she realizes I’m not so bad, she’ll be more inclined to leave her bedchamber. Which will be here,” he quickly added. “I hav
e no intention of letting the poor ghost wander aimlessly in your parents’ townhouse.”

  “There will be no wedding.”

  “Of course, there will.”

  “No, there won’t because I’m going to kill you in a duel.”

  “A duel?” Good heavens. Her brother had gone insane. He couldn’t mean what he just said.

  “Yes. A duel.”

  “But you could get killed.”

  “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

  Logan closed his book and gave him a good, hard look. “I’m good with weapons.”

  “Is that a boast?”

  “No. It’s a warning. I advise you to consider what you’re doing. A duel will do your sister no favors. I don’t wish to rob her of her brother.”

  Her brother snorted. “Why do I have the feeling you’ll say anything to preserve your worthless life?”

  “I don’t know. There are many things I exaggerate, but my ability to yield a sword, pistol or arrow isn’t one of them.”

  “An arrow. How quaint. Now I know you’re lying.”

  Logan didn’t like the direction this conversation had taken. Had he known Malcolm would have resorted to a duel, he would have answered one of the missives. “I’m not going to have a duel with you.”

  “You won’t have a choice.”

  “There is always a choice.”

  “Well, I’m not giving you one.”

  Logan stood up and pulled the cord to summon his butler. “I’m afraid you have no choice. I won’t go into a duel with you, even if you tell everyone I refused to go. If you think my pride is so fragile it can’t handle a scandal, then tell everyone and see what happens.”

  By the expression on Malcolm’s face, Logan could see he wasn’t happy with the answer. But Logan wasn’t going to do it. He wasn’t going to play into the game. He might have his flaws, but this wasn’t one of them.

  The butler came into the room, and Logan gestured to Melissa’s brother. “Please see Mr. Jasper out.”

  “I can find the door myself,” Malcolm snapped, jerking to his feet. He headed for the doorway but turned toward Logan. “This isn’t over.”

  Logan rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything.

  Malcolm strode out of the room and down the hall. It wasn’t until Logan heard the front door close that he poured himself a glass of his cheap—and bland—brandy. He took a drink of it before he returned to his chair. He wondered if Melissa’s life had been managed for her. Granted, he’d only known her for a short time, but it seemed that her older brother took his role a little too seriously.

  Just how much of her life did he dictate for her? Did he manage her social activities? Did he tell her who she could and couldn’t see? If he was telling Logan what to do, then Logan could only imagine his hold on her. And Logan had no doubt Melissa wasn’t even aware of what was happening. She was too used to it. She’d grown up with it. Naturally, she wouldn’t see what was going on.

  Logan took another drink of the brandy then set the glass on the small table next to him. He picked up the book he’d been reading and opened it. Well, this was another good reason why Melissa needed to marry someone like him. He’d give her wings so she could fly. There would be none of the flower blooming nonsense Lord Waxman talked about. No. Melissa would have a much better life than playing the pretty and devoted wife. She would come to learn who she was and pursue her own interests. And someday, perhaps, she might realize Logan was better suited for her than Lord Waxman could ever be.

  ***

  Melissa wiped more tears from her eyes. The banns had been read a second time, and next time, it would be final. She would be chained to Logan for the rest of her life. With a heavy sigh, she looked out the window in her bedchamber. It was bright and sunny outside, and the light breeze blowing in from the open window should have refreshed her. And it would have, if only she’d been betrothed to Lord Waxman instead of…instead of… Another tear slid down her cheek. She couldn’t even bring herself to think his name.

  Someone knocked on her door, and she hesitated to call out an answer but finally decided she might as well. “Who is it?”

  “It’s your lady’s maid, Miss Jasper,” the older lady said. “The Duchess of Ashbourne and Lady Hawkins wish to visit with you.”

  Melissa straightened in her chair. Helena and Chloe were here? “Oh.”

  The last thing Melissa expected was a visit from them. Sure, she’d given the duchess—Helena—the horrible news about her impending marriage and Helena had suggested they support each other. But Melissa hadn’t actually expected Helena to stop by, especially so soon after marrying the Duke of Ashbourne. And in all the horror of her betrothal, she’d forgotten Helena was even getting married.

  “I’ll be down in a moment,” she told her lady’s maid.

  “I’ll let them know.” Melissa thought the lady might leave immediately, but then she added, “Would you like me to come back up to help you get dressed?”

  “No. I just need to wash my face.”

  What she had on would suit her just fine for an informal visit. And besides, no one had seen her all day. She’d asked to have her meals in her bedchamber, and her family was kind enough to comply. If only the rotten gentleman she was supposed to marry would offer her such pleasures of being alone, she just might be able to stomach the marriage. But since he often argued with the butler about seeing her, she doubted he’d do so.

  With a grimace, she went over to the basin and poured fresh water into it. She washed her face, and though her eyes were still puffy and red, she did feel a little better. Besides, it wasn’t her betrothed who was waiting for her. Her visitors were two ladies she didn’t mind talking to. Relieved, she patted her face dry, took a deep breath, then headed down the stairs.

  Helena and Chloe were sipping their tea by the time Melissa made it to the drawing room. “Good afternoon,” she greeted with a curtsey.

  “There’s no need to be so formal,” Helena told her as she gestured for her to sit on the settee next to her. “We haven’t seen you since you came by my townhouse to tell us about Lord Toplyn. We wanted to see how you’re doing.”

  Melissa sat next to her and glanced at Chloe who was sitting in a nearby chair. “Not very well, I’m afraid.”

  “I heard Lord Toplyn’s been by every day,” Helena commented and handed her a cup of tea.

  Melissa accepted the cup, though her hand trembled. “I’ve only seen him a couple of those times.”

  “Is it possible he’s trying to make amends for what he’s done?” Chloe asked.

  “My brother says he comes by to make me miserable,” Melissa replied. “And I’m inclined to agree with him. All he ever does when he talks to me is try to upset me so I’ll throw a book at him.”

  “Throw a book at him?” Helena asked.

  “He thinks it’ll make me feel better, but nothing will make me feel better than him letting me out of the marriage,” Melissa replied.

  “I don’t see how he can let you out of the marriage,” Helena said, putting a comforting hand on her arm. “The scandal’s been done, and if he doesn’t marry you, it’ll be worse.”

  Melissa blinked back her tears. “I don’t care. My life is already ruined.”

  Helena took a sip from her cup, as if debating what she was going to say next. After a long moment, she finally said, “I’m not fond of him any more than you are. Well, maybe you like him even less than I do.”

  “At any rate,” Chloe began, “he’s willing to see you. I’d take that to mean he’s interested in getting to know you.”

  “I’m not interested in getting to know him,” Melissa replied, realizing even as she said it that she shouldn’t be arguing with her guests. They had come over to support and comfort her. It wasn’t like anyone could go back in time and undo the scandal that brought her to this point. “Forgive me. I’m not trying to be unreasonable.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive,” Helena assured her. “You’re upset, and rightf
ully so. He deceived you. Anyone would be upset in your position.”

  “Indeed, they would,” Chloe agreed. “You can be honest with us.”

  Melissa offered a smile, relaxing enough so her hands were no longer shaky. “Thank you.”

  “We hope the marriage won’t be as terrible as you fear,” Helena softly added. “Sometimes things can look bad at first, but they turn out to be better than we thought.”

  If only that would be the case with her, but Melissa wasn’t going to get her hopes up. “The couple of times we talked ended horribly. I’ve had to resort to hiding in my bedchamber to avoid him.”

  If only Malcolm lived here. He would make sure Logan never even set foot in the townhouse. But Logan, clever devil that he was, knew when Malcolm would be engaged in business and came specifically at those times.

  “Do you want to tell us how these conversations with Lord Toplyn go when he’s here?” Helena asked.

  “Well,” Melissa began, staring down at her cup, “he usually suggests he was right to end things between me and Lord Waxman. He implies I couldn’t do better than him.”

  Helena and Chloe chuckled. “In that case, maybe you should throw a book at him,” Helena said.

  “It might knock some sense into him,” Chloe added.

  Melissa took a sip of her tea, gathering small comfort from the familiar brew. “He deserves much worse, really. But I’m a lady, and ladies don’t go around throwing books at people. It’s unheard of.”

  “Just because you never heard of a lady doing it, it doesn’t mean one never has,” Helena pointed out. “I venture that there are many things ladies do behind closed doors they’re not supposed to.”

  “Maybe. I hadn’t thought about it.”

  “I think you should do it. Throw a book at him. Throw several. You really might feel better.”

  Melissa laughed and shook her head. “No. I can’t. Even if ladies do such things in the privacy of their homes, I can’t. It’s not how I am.”

  “Maybe it can be who you become.”