His Unexpected Bride Read Online Free Page A

truth—that this man frightened her—for she did not want to heap insult on Lord Hawksmoor, she shivered. ’Twas not Lord Hawksmoor who scared her, but the power his kisses had had over her, stealing her good sense and teasing her to find a way to sample another one.
    She could not keep her gaze from him. His wrinkled shirt clung close to his muscular chest, and its full sleeves could not hide his brawny arms. With his hair tousled and his eyes still heavy with sleep, he had a charm that teased her to trust him.
    Was she as mad as she had accused him of being? This man had spent last night drinking so much that he had agreed to marry her.
    Agreed? Why had Papa even allowed Dr. Tucker to begin the marriage ceremony? Had Papa and the vicar been so intoxicated as well? She wanted to ask her father that question, but did not have a chance.
    â€œHe is being honest that he did not touch you?” her father asked, now scowling. “Is that so?”
    â€œYes, I did not know he was here in my room until he woke me.”
    â€œWoke you?” Papa demanded. “How?”
    Tess was sure her cheeks were aflame, because a potent heat surrounded her. In the glass in the hallway, she could see servants clustering near the door, eager to eavesdrop on what was happening within her rooms. The door beyond the bed was ajar, held open by a single finger, so Jenette must be listening there as well. Alone? There might be others with her abigail, each one agog with what was taking place. Even if Papa ordered the servants not to gossip, she knew at least one of them would be unable to keep this tale untold. Before day’s end, everyone in the parish would know of how Miss Masterson had found herself surprisingly married to a marquess.
    â€œTess,” Papa said sternly, “you may now be a marquess’s wife, but you remain my daughter, and you will give me the courtesy of an answer to my question.”
    She raised her head and met her father’s eyes evenly. Yet, in spite of herself, her gaze shifted … to Lord Hawksmoor’s. Why was he not revealing any hint of what he was thinking? He should be furious, stamping about the room with a curse that would burn her ears.
    Lord Hawksmoor might be stolid, but Papa was not, for his impatience heightened his voice. “Tess? How did this man wake you?”
    â€œHe woke me with a kiss,” she answered, knowing that lying now would only worsen the situation.
    Lord Hawksmoor’s fingers bit into her shoulder before he snatched them away. “This whole discussion is ludicrous, Masterson. I was drunk last night. Your daughter was horrified to find me in her bed this morning.”
    â€œHer bed?” Papa’s mouth twitched, and something sparked in his eyes. She had an odd sensation that this was what Papa had waited to have said.
    â€œWhere we slept as innocently as two pups.”
    â€œWithout a watch-dog, however.”
    â€œTrue,” Lord Hawksmoor said. He reached for his coat, which had been tossed, she noticed, on the foot of her bed. Seeing it there suggested a familiarity that did not exist. “And it is just as true your daughter remains a maiden—if she was one before last night.”
    Tess leaped to her feet and closed the door to the hallway. She heard the door to her dressing room click shut, and she guessed Jenette did not want to be caught eavesdropping. Picking up her dark blue wrapper, she pulled it on and buttoned it from her waist to her chin. Only then did she face her father and the marquess.
    â€œI trust, my lord,” she said coldly, “you can continue this conversation without resorting to demure hits. I have made every effort not to point a finger of blame at others involved in this bumble-bath. If you will recall, I am an innocent victim of this contretemps. ”
    â€œInnocent being the critical consideration, I collect.” Lord Hawksmoor shrugged on his coat.
    â€œYes.” She would