Lady Beneath the Veil by Sarah Mallory Read Free Book Online Page A

and they made their way to the shrubbery, where the high walls sheltered them from the biting east wind. They walked side by side, taking care they did not brush against each other. So different from last night, thought Dominique, when they could not touch each other enough. It had to be mentioned. She launched into speech.
    ‘About what happened—’
    ‘A mistake,’ he interrupted her. ‘And one I deeply regret. I apologise, madam, most humbly.’
    She answered him firmly, ‘I am as much to blame as you.’
    ‘Perhaps, but the consequences for both of us are disastrous.’ He paused. ‘You realise the marriage cannot be annulled now.’
    ‘Surely, if we return to Martlesham—’
    He silenced her with an impatient wave of his hand.
    ‘Do you think anyone would believe the marriage was not consummated? The servants would be questioned. Mrs Chiswick prepared the bridal chamber for us, her husband saw me carrying you up the stairs and I’d wager any money the maid will check the sheets!’ He kicked a stone off the path. ‘No, last night’s folly is our undoing.’
    Folly! That was how he saw the most wonderful experience of her life. Hot tears prickled at the back of Dominique’s eyes, but she would not let them fall. She swallowed and clenched her jaw so that her voice did not tremble.
    ‘What do you suggest?’
    He looked up at the sky, the breath escaping between his teeth in a hiss.
    ‘Divorce will be my father’s suggestion. He abhors the French as much as I and will strongly oppose the connection. I believe he would even bear the ignominy of our family name being dragged through the courts.’
    Dominique shivered. Was this to be her punishment, to have her wantonness publicly paraded?
    ‘He could arrange the whole,’ Gideon continued thoughtfully. ‘But that would mean your taking a lover and I would have to sue him. A humiliating business for both of us, enduring shame for you. I will not countenance that.’
    ‘Then what?’ she asked. ‘Separation? I can go back to Martlesham and live with my mother—’
    He shook his head.
    ‘No. Too many people know the circumstances of our marriage. It is unthinkable that they will all remain silent.’
    ‘That is true,’ she agreed, bitterly. ‘Max has always delighted in bragging about his jokes.’
    ‘And the chance to make me a laughing stock will prove irresistible.’
    Dominique stopped.
    ‘What shall we do, then?’
    ‘Brazen it out.’ He turned and looked down at her. ‘We will continue with the marriage.’
    She stared at him, her world tilting alarmingly.
    ‘But...’ She swallowed, struggling to push out the words. ‘It will be a sham. You love someone else.’
    That an actress would be even more unacceptable as the wife for the future Viscount Rotham did not concern Dominique, only that he loved the beautiful blonde. Gideon waved aside her objections.
    ‘There are many such marriages in our world. It does not follow that it must be unhappy. We need only present a united front for a few months, perhaps a year or so, until the gossip has died down.’
    ‘I have no dowry.’
    He laughed, but there was no humour in it.
    ‘Money is one thing the Alburys have in abundance.’
    ‘Then your father will say we are even more ill matched.’
    He shrugged. ‘Father will come about, especially once you have provided a grandson to carry on the family name. And after that—if you want a lover you will not find me unreasonable, as long as you are discreet. That should not be a problem for you, since you grew up in France. These arrangements are understood there.’
    Not in her world. Dominique thought of her mother, still so very much in love with one man, after all these years.
    ‘Well, madam, what say you?’ Gideon asked her. ‘Are you prepared to continue with this marriage?’
    After the slightest hesitation she nodded.
    ‘Yes. Yes, I am.’
    After all, what choice did she have?
    * * *
    It was early evening by the time the post-chaise