The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) Read Online Free

of the situation struck her. For the first time
since her mother’s death, someone finally gave consolation after
her nightmare. And it just so happened to be her husband.
    Robert said nothing while he stroked her
hair. Fiona’s assessment of him at Stewart had been a pompous,
arrogant, money-grubbing Englishman and his dealings with her
father left no room for seeing him in any other light. The notion
of their subsequent annulment left her cold. But here, now, in his
arms, she couldn’t help think he was not so unfeeling as she once
thought.
    She could not be sure if it was the stroking
of her hair, or his warmth as it permeated her skin, but she felt
comforted and safe, and soon she fell back into a dreamless
sleep.
     
    Something tickled her nose. She opened her
eyes to find herself lying on the chest of a man. She dared not
move until her brain registered where she was and with whom –
married to the Duke of Cantin, in an inn, on their way back to
London. She had had a nightmare about her mother and he had
comforted her, and allowed her to fall asleep in his arms.
    With the greatest care, she moved until she
could see his face. Handsome in sleep, more so in waking hours, she
wondered if she would ever know him or if that was folly on her
part. The fact that they were married now meant nothing. According
to him, they would only be polite strangers at best.
    Gently she slipped from the bed and found her
dressing robe. She padded to the window and squinted against the
bright new dawn, not a cloud in the clear blue sky.
    “Are you feeling better, Fiona?”
    She turned to face Robert. “Yes, my lord,
thank you.”
    Robert moved to get out of bed. Fiona turned
back to the window. She heard rustling and grunting behind her, but
dared not look.
    “I know this is an impossible situation at
present,” he said. “I shall make sure the next lodging we find will
accommodate us both in separate rooms. I will leave you to your
toilette and then we shall have breakfast before we depart.”
    Fiona turned and found him almost dressed.
“Yes, my lord.”
    He shrugged into his coat. “If you wish, you
may call me Robert. Or if that does not suit, perhaps, Cantin. I
should not like you to address me as ‘my lord’ all the time. For
the nonce you are my wife, not my servant.”
    Fiona nodded.
    “There.” He adjusted his neck cloth in front
of the small mirror on the dresser. “I shall await your arrival
downstairs in the parlour where we dined last night. I am glad you
are an early riser. I should like to get back to London as soon as
possible.” He walked to the door and reached for the latch.
    “Robert,” she said softly. “Thank you for
your kind understanding last night.”
    He smiled. “’Twas the least I could do.” And
he left her alone to dress.
    *****
    Robert made his way downstairs, and after
securing a private table for breakfast, informed the innkeeper they
would be leaving and to prepare the bill. He left instructions if
his wife arrived before he returned to proceed with breakfast he
would be along shortly.
    Robert went out to the stable yard, found his
coachman and grooms, and told them to be ready within the hour. He
then left the inn yard and made his way down the short street to
the shops lining the thoroughfare. He didn’t have much time, and
most were still closed, but as he made his way around the corner,
he saw a shopkeeper opening up for the day. He hurried over. As
luck would have it, it was just the place he needed. He made his
purchase, pleased with the price, and strode down the street to the
inn.
    Fiona was waiting for him at table, pouring
herself a cup of tea. She appeared surprised to see him.
    “I hope I have not kept you waiting long,” he
said as he slipped into his chair.
    “No, my lord. I have only just arrived. Shall
I pour?”
    “Please.” Robert waited until she finished
before removing the small black velvet box from his pocket. He
cleared his throat.
    Fiona looked at