Ruined by the Earl (Marriage by Deceit Book 3)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “Which part?”

  “The wedding night. Oh my.” Her mother pulled her further into the room and lowered her voice. “In all the excitement, I forgot all about it. But I shouldn’t have. It’s the most important night of a young lady’s life.”

  Melissa studied her mother, surprised the lady was wringing her hands. “Whatever’s gotten into you? I thought I was supposed to hurry on down to his majesty’s presence since he is as wonderful as Father.”

  One of her mother’s eyebrows rose, and she stopped wringing her hands. “If you knew how important this conversation was, you wouldn’t treat the topic so lightly.”

  “Then tell Logan to go home, and we can have this very important discussion about how my life is about to be ruined tomorrow night.” Melissa sat on the bed and waited for her mother to do as she said, but her mother didn’t budge. “I don’t understand you, Mother. Don’t you want to talk?”

  Her mother glanced at the door, looked at her, then glanced at the door again. Finally, she let out a long sigh and shut the door. “I’ll have to make this quick.”

  “We don’t have to rush. We can have this conversation all night.”

  “It won’t take that long.”

  “But this is important. I might have questions. Lots and lots of questions.” And by golly, she’d make sure to if that’s what it took to be free of Logan for one more night.

  Her mother settled beside her on the bed. “I have a feeling you won’t want to ask a lot of questions.”

  “You can’t know that.”

  “Well, no, I can’t. But chances are, you’ll be…” She shrugged. “It’s not like we’re discussing how to dance at a ball or properly address titled people.”

  Melissa had no idea what her mother was getting at but decided she might as well let her continue.

  “The wedding night is something all married ladies go through,” her mother said. “I want you to remember that.”

  “Considering no ladies die on their wedding night, I can’t imagine it’s all that frightening.”

  “This isn’t a trivial matter, Melissa. It can be a very uncertain time for a lady.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…in a sense…it’s a transition from being a child to being an adult. Logan will be coming to your bed.”

  Melissa gasped. “He does, and I’ll call for the butler to remove him at once.”

  “My dear, he’s supposed to come to your bed.”

  “Well, I won’t let him. I can sleep by myself just fine.”

  “It’s not sleep he’ll be there for.”

  “I don’t understand. What else could he possibly be there for?”

  There was a knock at the door, and her mother patted her hand. “Wait here.”

  “Tell Logan to go home so we can have this talk.”

  Her mother glanced over at her and clucked her tongue. “You’ll wish we had this talk if he comes to your bed and you have no idea what he intends to do.”

  What was there to know? He’d be there to make her miserable. Just like he always did whenever he was around.

  Her mother opened the door, and Melissa could hear her father from the other side say, “Is Melissa ready yet?”

  “Not quite,” her mother replied, and though she kept her voice low, Melissa had no trouble hearing her.

  “What’s the problem?” he asked.

  “Well,” her mother began, “I just realized I never took the time to explain certain aspects of the wedding night to her.”

  “Malcolm just arrived, and from the look on his face, it’s best for both of you to come downstairs now.”

  “But I can’t until I talk to her.”

  “There’s nothing to it. Once she sees him naked, it’ll be apparent what’s going to happen.”

  Her mother gasped and glanced at Melissa. Melissa struggled to keep her face expressionless, lest she give away her disgust. There was no way—no matter what happened—that she’d allow Logan to take his clothes off around her. So really, there was no need to worry about it.

  “I’m ready, Mother,” she said, standing up from the bed.

  “It won’t take long,” her mother protested.

  “Malcolm looks like he’s ready to strangle Logan,” her father said.

  “There’s no sense in allowing bloodshed in the house,” Melissa told her mother.

  She quickly passed her mother, ignoring more of her protests. Her mother worried for nothing. Melissa had no intention of being with Logan in a bed. Despite what Logan thought, he’d die childless. It would serve him right to not get the heir. He, after all, hadn’t given her a choice in marrying him. She wouldn’t give him a choice in having an heir. Fair was fair.

  She hurried down the stairs before her mother could stop her. When she made it to the drawing room, Malcolm was standing near the window, glaring at Logan who was sipping brandy as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Her gaze went to the bandage around her brother’s wrist.

  “Malcolm, what happened to you?” Melissa asked, rushing over to him.

  Malcolm glanced at Logan, his jaw clenched. “It’s nothing. Just a scratch.”

  Her eyebrows furrowed, she looked at Logan. Was there something in the way Malcolm was glaring at him that meant more than what he said?

  Malcolm shifted from the window. “Don’t trouble yourself about it. I fell off a horse. The wound will heal in time.”

  “I’m sorry you were hurt,” she replied.

  He shrugged. “It couldn’t be helped. Come along. I’ll escort you to dinner.”

  Logan put his glass on the table and jumped to his feet. “I’m her betrothed. I’ll escort her.”

  “I don’t want you to escort me,” she told Logan. “I want my brother to.”

  “Melissa,” her father said, “you will go with Logan.”

  “I’d rather be in a pit of rats,” she blurted out before she had time to think over her words.

  “Melissa,” her father replied, his tone warning her to behave.

  “Oh for heaven’s sakes,” Malcolm muttered. “Go with Logan.”

  “But…” Her voice drifted off as Malcolm left the drawing room, shoulders slouched.

  “He’ll be fine,” Logan said, coming over to her. “You shouldn’t worry about him.” He smiled at her. “You look lovely.”

  She wanted to go after her brother, but her father shook his head. As much as she tried to fight the tears, they came. She dug her handkerchief out of her pocket and dabbed her eyes. This was going to be awful. Just awful.

  “Why don’t you two go on ahead?” Logan told her parents. “We’ll be there soon.”

  Her parents offered a nod, and her father shot her a pointed look before they headed down the hall.

  She started to follow them, but Logan slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. Grunting, she pushed him away. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Getting you to stop crying.”

  “You’re a scoundrel.”

  “A scoundrel can be a lot of fun, sweetheart.”

  “I’m not your sweetheart.” Oh, why was she even entertaining a fight with him? He probably enjoyed upsetting her. Stuffing her handkerchief back in her pocket, she stormed out of the drawing room.

  “Excited about tomorrow?” Logan asked, hastening to walk beside her.

  “As excited as I’d be to attend my own funeral.”

  “Well, since you’d be dead at your funeral, that’s hardly something you can get excited about.”

  “Then you see my point.”

  To her horror, he reached over and gave her behind a playful pat. She stopped in the hallway, covered her behind, and glanced around to make sure no one saw the scandalous deed.

  He chuckled. “You have a wonderful figure, Melissa.”

  She glowered at him. “You are no gentleman.”

  “In time you’ll be glad for it.”

  Was there nothing that would put him in his place? Groaning under her br
eath, she hastened to the dining room. Once there, she picked the seat next to her brother.

  “Melissa,” her father said with a shake of his head.

  “It’s all right,” Logan replied and sat across from her. “I can’t begrudge my delightful bride the chance to sit by her brother.”

  Delightful indeed. Melissa was about to roll her eyes to show Logan exactly what she thought of him, but one look at her father persuaded her to keep her thoughts to herself. She chose, instead, to focus on her brother. His gaze met hers, and she caught the regret in his eyes. From beneath the table, she gave his hand a pat to let him know she didn’t fault him for any of this. He’d tried to give Logan money so he’d let her out of the marriage. There was nothing else he could do.

  “Do you keep up with what’s happening in Parliament?” her father asked Logan as he picked up his fork.

  “Only what I hear about at White’s,” Logan admitted. “There are some gentlemen who devote their entire lives to arguing the pros and cons to every law passed. To tell you the truth, I often find their opinions far more interesting than the laws themselves.”

  Her father swallowed his forkful of salad and chuckled. “I agree wholeheartedly. Tell me, what are the gentlemen arguing about right now?”

  While Logan answered his question, Melissa glanced, once more, at her brother. Besides Helena and Chloe, he was the only one who sympathized with her plight. Her mother and father had given themselves completely over to Logan. Had her brother fallen for his so-called charm, she’d have no allies with her tonight.

  She forced her attention to the meal in front of her and ate as much as she could, but in the end, she really only managed to nibble a few bites. It was hard to eat when the person who ruined her life was sitting at the same table she was. From time to time, she had to put down her fork to grab her handkerchief so she could wipe a couple tears away.

  “Unbelievable,” her brother muttered under his breath at one point.

  She looked over at him while Logan and her parents rambled on about Parliament.

  Her brother leaned toward her and whispered, “Logan can see how miserable he’s making you, and yet, he does nothing to make things better.”

  Her brother was right, of course. How different things would have been with Lord Waxman. She swallowed and wiped away a couple more tears.

  “I have a splendid idea,” her mother spoke up. “After we finish eating, why don’t we let Melissa show us how well she juggles?”

  Melissa shook her head. “I can’t.”

  “Don’t be so modest,” her mother said. “You do a marvelous job.”

  “Really?” Logan looked over at her in interest. “I’d love to see you juggle.”

  “I don’t feel like juggling this evening,” Melissa argued. “It takes a lot of focus, and right now I can’t concentrate on anything.” Except perhaps the way Logan annoyed her. But that didn’t count.

  “It’s all right,” Logan said, directing his attention to her parents. “I can wait to see her juggle. We have a wedding and the breakfast to look forward to tomorrow. I’m sure she has more than enough on her mind.”

  “Of course,” her mother replied. “It’s only natural for a lady’s mind to be preoccupied on the eve of her wedding.”

  “I can’t wait for the wedding,” he said. “Melissa’s beautiful as she is, but I’m guessing she’ll be the most beautiful bride in all of London.”

  Melissa rolled her eyes, and Malcolm groaned. “I think I’m going to be sick,” Malcolm muttered.

  Melissa couldn’t agree more. She set her fork down. She couldn’t eat anything else. In fact, she just might never eat anything again. Then she’d die. It would serve her parents right if she did. She could picture it now. She’d be lying in a casket in the drawing room, covered in flowers, and her parents would be apologizing profusely and begging her forgiveness. But it’d be too late. The damage would be done, and there’d be no undoing it. And then they’d be sorry.

  But it wasn’t going to happen. Granted, she might not be eating much tonight, but come morning, she’d want to eat. People would likely believe she was content with the whole marriage. She wasn’t, though. She was very upset. If only there was some way she could let them—especially Logan—know just how upset she was.

  Then an idea came to her, and her lips curled up. Did she dare do it? She glanced at her parents as they laughed at some idiotic thing Logan was saying about a mishap he’d had with his boots that morning. They adored him. One would think he could perform miracles.

  Well, that settled it. She would do it. Tomorrow morning, at the wedding, she would let everyone know exactly what she thought of this marriage. And if she was fortunate, it would be the talk of the Ton.

  Chapter Ten

  Logan nearly burst out laughing when he saw his bride approaching him the next morning. She was covered, from head to toe, in black, a clear indicator that she considered this a day of mourning rather than the festive occasion it really was.

  Her parents weren’t the least bit happy. Her mother called for smelling salts, and her father’s face turned red. Eyes wide, the vicar glanced from Melissa to Logan then to the guests. The few guests appeared adequately shocked. But Melissa ignored all of them and shot her piercing gaze right at him.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more lovely sight,” Logan told her, pleased she’d chosen to prove her independence in front of everyone.

  She frowned, her eyebrows furrowing in the most becoming fashion.

  Then, just to startle her—and add to the shock she’d started—he cupped her face with his hands and kissed her. He could have settled for a simple kiss, of course, but he wanted to shock them good, so he kept his lips on hers for a good thirty seconds.

  When he released her, he turned to the vicar and said, “I’m ready whenever you are.”

  He couldn’t be sure, but he thought he heard her mother let out a soft cry before she fainted.

  Logan gestured to the vicar. “I’m ready to be married to London’s most wonderful lady. Proceed.”

  The vicar cleared his throat and opened The Book of Common Prayers. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join,” he gulped then released his breath, “together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony.”

  The vicar continued his long and drawn-out spiel from there, and Logan only paid half attention to what he was saying. Most of it was pretty basic. Things like marriage being good, honorable and for the benefit of society. He was sure everyone but the fuming bride agreed. Logan knew he was especially supportive of the promise of intimacy and children. He hoped Melissa was paying close attention to that part.

  Then the vicar said, “Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.”

  Logan’s gaze went right to Malcolm. But Malcolm didn’t say anything. He just glared at Logan, his fists clenched. Good. Logan didn’t think Malcolm would say something, but he didn’t think he’d kidnap him and drag him out for a duel either. There was no telling what the gentleman was capable of doing.

  The vicar let out a long breath and continued reading from his book. And once again, Logan’s thoughts strayed. He glanced around the room from time to time, noting how happy the Duke of Ashbourne looked with his wife, who had at some point befriended Melissa. God knew the duke didn’t come to this wedding because he liked Logan. He only came because his wife was Melissa’s friend. Next to them was Lady Hawkins. Again, she was there because of Melissa. The only people in the room who were even remotely happy to see him there were Melissa’s parents.

  To be fair, his mother, brother, and two younger sisters would have been happy to come if circumstances had allowed them to be there. They would have liked Melissa. She had fire in her. She wasn’t a whimpering wallflower like so many other ladies. Well, she did cry, but fortunately, all it took was a kiss to st
op that nonsense. Yes, he did very well indeed.

  The vicar said his name and title, and Logan immediately turned his attention back to him.

  “Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?” the vicar asked then looked expectantly at him.

  “What gentleman in his right mind wouldn’t?” He motioned to Melissa. “Beauty. Passion. Intelligence. She’s everything I ever wanted and more. I will wholeheartedly do all you say.”

  The vicar turned to Melissa. “Melissa Jasper, wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

  “Uh…” Melissa’s lower lip trembled and tears began filling her eyes.

  Oh good heavens. A simple I will was all she needed to say. Just how hard was it? When she ventured a glance in his direction, he shot her the most charming smile he could come up with and winked at her.

  She paled. That wasn’t the reaction he was hoping for. But her tears did go away, so it was good enough.

  The vicar cleared his throat. “Melissa Jasper?”

  She glanced around the room then let out a resigned sigh. “If I have to…”

  “You do,” Logan whispered, ignoring the worried expression on the vicar’s face. Good heavens. She’d be happy in due time. So all this fretting was for nothing.

  “I,” she gulped, “will.” Then she winced.

  And more than that, the vicar winced as well. But the rest of the ceremony went on without any more snags. Melissa was officially declared Lady Toplyn, and Logan thought that suited her quite well.

  When the ceremony came to an end, Logan turned to her and smiled. “I must admit, I’m very pleased with you. Despite what others expected, you did exactly what you wanted and wore black.”

  “I wouldn’t consider my actions a compliment, you cad. I’m mourning the loss of my happiness.”

  “Happiness is all in your mind, my passionate temptress. You can’t let circumstances dictate whether you are happy or not. You can choose to be happy despite them.”