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

“I
see.”
    “I will, of course, take care of
everything.”
    Fiona brought her fingers up to her eyes.
First, he tried to buy her virtue. Now, he wanted to buy her
silence. The man was a cad.
    “Which hotel?” she asked.
    “Claridge’s naturally. There is no finer
establishment in London,” he said smugly.
    “And should you wish me to remain therein
until the paperwork is signed or will you allow me the freedom to
see the city sights?”
    “Fiona, I did not mean….”
    “Yes, my lord, you did. Do not worry, I shall
not tell anyone who I am. I shall not speak to another living
soul.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I am sure with my
exceedingly plain attire, no one shall give me a moment’s
notice.”
    He opened his mouth to try to explain
further, but she held up her hand. “Please, my lord, do not speak.
I should not wish to hear it.”
    The remainder of the trip was silent.

Chapter Four
     
     
    During the course of the next five days, they
conversed as polite acquaintances, told stories from their youth,
and Robert seemed very surprised when he found Fiona could address
such varied topics, from the poet Robert Burns to animal husbandry.
As they entered London, Fiona’s eyes grew round. London was
certainly much bigger than Edinburgh was.
    As they gained the heart of the city, Robert
asked if she would like to have tea at the hotel while he conducted
his business with the solicitor. She acquiesced and he brought her
to Claridge’s.
    Settling her at a table, he said, “I shall
not be overlong, and upon my return I will speak to the concierge
about your accommodations.”
    Fiona refused to meet his eye. “Very
well.”
    Robert departed and the waiter brought her
tea and a small plate of very sweet biscuits. She took in the
splendor of the establishment and thought she might enjoy it here.
At least he had been generous and not put her up at some
out-of-the-way inn. For that, she was grateful.
    An hour later, Robert strode into the
restaurant looking like thunder itself. He yanked the chair out and
sat.
    “I take it your meeting did not go well,” she
said wondering at what had gone wrong.
    “No, it did not. It seems we must remain
married for six months.”
    “What?!” Fiona was under the impression the
annulment would only be a matter of weeks. But six months! That was
impossible. She could not remain married to the prig for that
long.
    “You heard me. Unless I can get your father
to admit he coerced me into marrying you, we must remain together
in the same household as husband and wife. Otherwise, I cannot gain
the grounds I seek.” He looked away from her, his face set in a
tight mask.
    Fiona felt sick. “What are we to do now?”
    Robert’s shoulders slumped and he sighed.
“There is nothing to do. We must present ourselves as the Duke and
Duchess of Cantin.” Resignation marked his attitude.
    “Oh, my lord, I am so very sorry. I did not
mean for any of this to happen.” And she didn’t. If she could erase
that last night in Peebles, she would do it in a second.
    “Well, there is nothing for it now. I suppose
we should get on to Cantin House.” He signaled for the waiter and
paid the slip.
    “Are you sure that I cannot remain here? Are
you quite sure I must become the duchess?” Fiona asked. Her heart
pounded. She as the Duchess of Cantin? It was absurd.
    Robert stood. “Yes, Fiona. I am quite sure.
Let us get this over with, shall we?”
    In the carriage, Robert cleared his throat.
In the weeks she had spent in Peebles listening to him speak with
her father, she knew this as the precursor to a strong
dissertation.
    “Fiona, I wish to speak plainly. As you are
now the Duchess of Cantin, I will allow you all the entitlements a
woman of your station is privileged – gowns, a small weekly
stipend, jewels. I will show you the utmost honor and respect. All
I ask is that you show me the same in turn. Forgive my blunt
manner, but I have no desire to bed you. Neither of us need