Mysty McPartland (10 page)

Chapter Ninteen

Alone in the conservatory, sitting in a white raffia chair, Sheldon stared out the window at the gloomy clouds and wasn’t surprised that it started to rain. The miserable weather suited her mood. She no longer had the benefit of numbness to hide her emotions behind. Her heart ached in anguish, but now she was also infuriated with Nathan and herself. She had been a weak kneed ninny for letting him treat her so despicably. And he most assuredly didn’t have the right to behave towards her in such a manner.

It wasn’t her fault she’d been attacked and he had no right to blame her for it. As soon as the weather cleared up she was returning to London and have it out with him, then she was asking for a divorce. She saw no point on continuing their marriage now that he no longer cared for her. She gripped the arms of her chair tightly refusing to let another tear fall over all she had lost. She’d known from the very beginning that a true marriage between them would never succeed and she had been right.

Though she loathed to admit it she truly did love the confounded man, alas her love wasn’t returned so what was the point of carrying on as man and wife. None that she could see. She could only hope he would be agreeable, surely with him desperate for an heir he would jump at the chance to be free of her and start seeking out a more suitable candidate for a wife. She refused to acknowledge the hurt she was feeling over the thought of him being married to another woman and making love to her. Her eyes squeezed shut at the horrifying thought that he might choose Bethany again.

She swore she would leave England if such a thing should happen. Clenching her jaw she raised her lashes and once more stared out at the rain. She had to think of her own future and what she was going to do if Nathan was agreeable and let her go. London and the life she once led there no longer appealed to her and she doubted she could ever return to her father’s house and live under the same roof as her family. Especially not after all that had happened. So where did that leave her? Her gazed moved around the room filled with exotic plants and flowers, over the water fountain and back to the rain soaked garden outside.

This was a different estate to the one she and Nathan had spent their honeymoon and she was grateful for that. The house itself wasn’t as large as the other one, it was much more cozy and only half the rooms. It was a home and she loved it. She’d also found out that Nathan rarely came here. If Nathan took her up on her offer and divorced her, she wondered if he would let her live here. Her chin jutted in the air and thought why shouldn’t he? After all he owed her for forcing her to marry him in the first place.

Even though it sickened her and made her feel guilty to demand anything at all from him, she did need somewhere to live, didn’t she? Well she could only ask and if he refused she would have to find somewhere else to reside. Suddenly feeling queasy she rose to her feet, hurried through the house and upstairs to her room. Once the door was shut behind her she raced over to the bureau grabbed the basin and started vomiting. It wasn’t the first time it had happened since she arrived and had put it down to the emotional disturbances she was suffering. When she finished she returned the bowl and on shaky legs made her way over to the bed and laid down.

She pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of her skirt and dabbed at her mouth and perspiring forehead. Hopefully, whatever infliction she was suffering would end soon if it didn’t she would seek out a physician after she’d seen Nathan and sorted out their future. Now though all she wanted to do was sleep. Her hand falling to the mattress she closed her eyes and tried not to think of her husband and how lonely her life was going to be without him in it.

****

Even knowing he was running half an hour late, Nathan didn’t doubt the vindictive spiteful woman wouldn’t be waiting for him. The moment he strode into the ballroom he started searching for her. He smiled grimly when he found her standing close to three of the most strict, powerful women of the ton. One word of disapproval from them would ruin a woman so fast and beyond repair. It couldn’t have worked out more perfectly if he had engineered it himself.

Unhurriedly he made his way around the edge of the dance floor, his gaze never leaving his quarry. He couldn’t help but notice she’d dressed to tease and seduce. The light blue silk gown was cut so low it barely contained her breasts. It was cinched in tightly at the waist and fell to the floor. Her shoulders were bare and he noticed she wasn’t wearing any gloves. When she finally turned her head and saw him, he forced himself to smile politely. It took a few more seconds before he reached her side and he bowed his head. “Lady Bethany.”

At last he had arrived, Bethany nearly gave up waiting for him, now though she let herself smile with anticipation. “I nearly left. I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

Nathan managed to maneuver her closer to the older woman before he replied. “Really I’m shocked.”

Bethany frowned over his answer. “I don’t see why not. However, why don’t we leave here and find somewhere more private to talk?” She leaned closer and let her fingers trail down the sleeve of his dark evening jacket. “After all now that you’ve realized your mistake in marrying my foolish sister I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t become lovers. After all you are desperate for an heir and I don’t see any sense in waiting until your divorce is through.”

Oh this was so easy, Nathan thought with relish and out the corner of his eye he caught the three old biddy’s sitting up and taking in every word. He turned back to the woman standing so smugly before him and gave her an outraged look of horror. “By heaven Lady Bethany you have shocked me with your outrageous proposition. How dare you suggest I betray my wife? Especially with her own sister. I would never dishonor her in such a despicable fashion. Let me tell you I happen to love my wife very much.”

At the sudden change in him, Bethany grew furious. “What game are you playing sir? You forget you’re the one that asked me to meet you here. What else am I to presume that you intended us to become lovers while you divorce my sister?”

He was definitely going to relish this moment for a very long time. “How dare you accuse me of behaving so despicable? I would never do such a dastardly thing to my wife. And I would most assuredly never ask you to meet me here to arrange a tryst with you. The only reason I came to seek you out was because you are my wife’s sister and for no other reason.”

It swiftly occurred to her that she’d been set up, Bethany worriedly glanced around the ballroom and when her gaze landed on the three most powerful women of the ton standing next to her and knew the duke had purposely set out to ruin her reputation. It infuriated her and swinging her eyes back to his she lashed out. “You bastard. I should have known you were up to something when you came to see me yesterday.”

“Madam I never saw you. So why are you lying about it? I know for a damn fact that you have been trying to destroy my marriage to your sister the moment you returned to London and found out I married her. You would do just about anything to break up my marriage to Sheldon but it won’t work. Even though I knew you had rather a lose reputation when I asked you to marry me I didn’t have any idea it was so promiscuous. Thank goodness you ran away before the wedding. I would deplore being married to a woman who would bed any man to get what she wanted. I am a very lucky man because your sister loves me just as I love her. I am warning you now woman that from now on you stay away from both of us.” With a curt nod of his head he strode away. It had all worked out perfectly the damage was done.

Before she could voice her rage, Bethany watched him walk away. As she scanned the crowd she could already see the whispers starting to spread. Her face burning with humiliation she lifted up the bottom of her skirt and practically ran from the room. The bastard had purposely set out to ruin her and succeeded and now no decent man would ever have anything to do with her. She was ruined and the only thing she could do now was leave town. Even if the duke’s cousin managed to inherit everything it wouldn’t help, Andrew would only think about himself and refuse to keep their agreement. No, her only choice now was to leave London and hoped in a few years the scandal and her soiled reputation would be forgotten.

Chapter Twenty

After the success he had the night before, the next morning Nathan continued with his plan and it didn’t take long for word to spread that he’d already started on filling his nursery.

He also made sure that certain men found out that his cousin wouldn’t be able to pay his debts. By midafternoon he was informed that the despicable little weasel had fled London to parts unknown. The only person left to pay was in hiding, however, Nathan didn’t doubt that the man would hide for long and he was willing to wait until he could make the bounder pay for beating his wife. Now he was only a few minutes from his destination and he was worried sick. Could he persuade his wife to forgive him for the horrendous way he treated her? He prayed she would.

He sat up straighter in his seat when the carriage started to slow down, he glanced out the window and frowned when he noticed one of his coaches parked in front of the house and servants were loading luggage into it. Was his wife planning on going somewhere? His stomach twisted in a knot of apprehension. Thank God he arrived before she had time to leave, he thought just before his vehicle stopped. Without waiting for any assistance he opened the door and stepped down, it was then he noticed his wife stepping outside and strode forward. “Are you going somewhere?”

It was nearly impossible to hide her shock at seeing her husband alight from the coach and Sheldon stiffened her spine in renewed determination. “Actually I was on my way back to London to speak with you, if you must know.”

Overwhelmed with relief, Nathan lightly clasped her elbow and led her unresisting into the house and towards the study. Once in the room he let her go and shut the door before he turned to face her. “Just why were you coming to see me?” In his heart he hoped it was because she couldn’t stand to live without him. However, by the cold expression on her face it looked doubtful.

Though her heart was hurting terribly, Sheldon refused to let herself give into it. For a few seconds she let her gaze travel over his handsome face and even though she wanted wrap her arms around him and never let him go knew it was a foolish idea. Unable to look at him anymore she dropped her gaze to the carpeted floor. “We both know our marriage was a terrible mistake from the beginning. And now since you abhor the sight of me and you’re desperate for an heir, I think we should divorce.”

“No!”

The one incisive bellowing word whipped her head up and she frowned in confusion. “I don’t understand. You can’t stand the sight of me and I refuse to allow any more intimacy to happen between us.”

Though her words stung, he also knew she was lying. Even now he could see how miserable she was looking and trying desperately to hide it. She couldn’t even hide the fact that her beautiful eyes were swimming in moisture. He almost smiled but didn’t dare, instead he reached out and clasped both her hands in his and drew her closer. He met her confused stare with a tender smile. “You’re wrong sweetheart. I know how wrong I was and how terribly I treated you. I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for my horrendous behavior towards you.”

When he saw her bottom lip tremble he hurried with the rest of his explanation. “I don’t now or ever want a divorce Sheldon. I love you to distraction and hope one day in the future you might start to care for me. I don’t even care if you never become pregnant just as long as you stay with me.” There he’d laid it all out on the line and now with his heart racing he waited for her to react.

Nathan loved her, Sheldon could see the truth staring back at from his eyes. She shook her head unable to believe it could be true. When he lightly caressed the side of her face, she noticed the fear and panic start to grow in his eyes. With her free hand she reached up and cupped his cheek. “Oh Nathan, I love you too.”

Those were the only words he wanted to hear, Nathan caught her up in a tight embrace before he lowered his mouth over hers. He kissed her for a long time before he set her free.

With a smile of pure happiness, Sheldon let out a sigh. “You don’t need to give up anything Nathan.”

Carrying her over to the sofa, he sat down and settled her on his lap. “What do you mean sweetheart?”

Her face growing warm, she shrugged. “I’m not certain yet, but I think I might be already with child.”

For a few heart beats, Nathan was dumbfounded. Did his wife just say what he thought she said? It was unbelievable and he threw back his head and laughed.

“I don’t find anything amusing about what I just said.”

He swiftly cut of his laughter at her prickly tone and hugged her. “I’m sorry sweetheart.” His hand moved around from her back and covered her still flat stomach. “You couldn’t have made me happier my love. I don’t care if we have one or ten children. Or even if we don’t have any at all. You are the only one I want, that I truly need. I love you Sheldon, just you.”

The sincerity of his words bought tears to her eyes. “Oh Nathan, I love you so much as well. Now just kiss me and afterwards I might let you take me upstairs to bed.”

“You will, will you?” Nathan teased her before he did exactly as she demanded. He kissed her with all the love in his heart. He didn’t know how much time had passed before he leaned away stood up and carried her upstairs to bed. Once he stripped them both naked he joined her on the mattress and before he had time to think she climbed on top of him and before he could protest she’d sheathed him inside her body. His jaw clenched as she rode him to ecstasy. Now she lay sated in his arms and he brushed the lose hair of her face and kissed her brow. “Did you just seduce me wife?”

Sheldon giggled. “Mmm perhaps I might have.’

Nathan laughed a long with her. “I think you owe me another boon.”

“I do.”

“Oh yes and in just a little while I aim to collect.” And he knew exactly how he was going to make his wife pay and both of them were going to enjoy it immensely. He sucked in his breath when he felt the light caress of her fingers moving down his stomach. All ready he was starting to become aroused and knew he wasn’t going to wait another second to make love to his wife. Rolling her over on to her back he began caress every inch of her glorious little body.

Kissing her passionately he knew the best thing that had ever happened to him was when Sheldon substituted herself and became his wife. And every day for the rest of their lives he would make certain she would never have a moment of regret.