His Unexpected Bride Read Online Free Page B

not be intimidated by his unrelenting calm. If he thought to betwattle her and her father with it, he was wasting his time … and theirs. She had seen the passion in his eyes when he stood by her bed and drew her into his arms.
    Something flickered through his eyes now before he looked once more at her father. Was Lord Hawksmoor astonished she would not cower before his frigid serenity?
    Smoothing wrinkles from his coat, the marquess said, “You have heard your daughter’s comments, Masterson. Neither she nor I wish to be married to each other. If we handle this quietly, we all can return to our lives as they should be.”
    â€œYou know that is impossible.”
    â€œI know there are ways of resolving any problem.”
    â€œMayhap you do, but I believe there is nothing else to be said.” Papa patted the front of his coat. “I have Tess’s copies of your marriage agreement here, and I will repeat what I told you when I entered the room. Welcome to the family, Hawksmoor.” He glanced at Tess, then walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
    Tess was tempted to run after him and throw the door aside and shout that she would not be forced into this marriage with a man who did not want to be her husband. She did not move as she continued to stare at the flowery design on the rug.
    â€œWeeping will gain you little favor in my mind,” the marquess said.
    â€œWeeping?” She raised her head and scowled at him. “I am giving in to neither tears nor vapors, my lord. I fear I am too enraged for either.”
    â€œI have no interest in your scolds.”
    â€œI have already seen what you have interest in.” She crossed her arms in front of her. “First finding the bottom of a bottle of brandy and then seducing me when you believed I wished to welcome you into my bed as my husband.”
    He lowered himself carefully to the bed, and she flinched. She did not want him making himself so comfortable in her private chambers.
    â€œYou are my wife,” Lord Hawksmoor said.
    â€œYou did not remember that when you tried to persuade me to surrender to you. You did not know then I had been buckled to you by proxy.” She arched a brow. “I understand it is the way of a fine lord to have his wife and his mistresses, but—”
    â€œArguing will gain us nothing.”
    The very tranquillity of his words vexed her, but she had to acknowledge the wisdom of them. “That is true.”
    Pushing himself to his feet, he said, “I suspect you would like to dress, Miss Masterson.”
    â€œYes.” Again that unwanted heat soared up her face.
    â€œI own to wishing to wear something that has not been slept in.” Reaching for the bellpull beside her bed, he added, “I assure you I will do all I can to straighten out this muddle.”
    â€œAs I will.”
    â€œTalking some sense into your father’s hard head might be a good place to begin.”
    â€œWhy are you lambasting my father for being unthinking when you are more at fault than anyone in this?”
    â€œI am aware of my complicity. My only excuse is that I, for some reason I cannot fathom now, drank too much, and I let myself act before realizing the consequences.”
    â€œWhich you do not customarily do?”
    He regarded her with eyes as cool as his frown. “It is not my habit to act so out of hand, Miss Masterson. You need only ask anyone who knows me well, and they will reassure you there must be more to this whole thing than drunken revels.”
    â€œPapa is the only person I know who also knows you.”
    â€œHe seems an untrustworthy witness to my character at this time.”
    â€œOr a very accurate one.”
    He stepped toward her. Hearing the dressing room open behind her, she could not look to Jenette for help, because he took her chin in his hand and tilted her face up. “Ask yourself, Miss Masterson, why your father would think so poorly of