The Scandalous Son by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page A

laughed and it was hearty and contagious.
                  “You think my broken heart is a laughing matter?” Gage scoffed.
                  His father just laughed harder. “The irony is all,” he managed between laughs. “I finally decide to settle down and the one gel who doesn’t bore me senseless just happens to be my long-lost son’s one true love.”
                  “Well when you put it that way,” Gage said, chuckling too.
                  “So what will it take for her to say yes to you?” St. Vincent asked.
                  “Gobs of money,” Gage said flatly. “Her parent’s s went through a rough patch and they just want her to be well taken care of.”
                  “Consider it done then.”
                  “What?”
                  “If that is all it takes, then consider it taken care of.”
                  Gage shook his head, “You don’t have to do that.”
                  “But I do. You are my son, my flesh and blood, and if I had married your mother like I planned you would be titled and wealthy and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I will meet with my advisor in the morning and you shall be named my heir and receive a monthly stipend fir anything you might need.”
                  St. Vincent took in the shocked look on his son’s face and he placed a comforting on his shoulder.
                  “I want to make up for all the lost time and I want to give you everything that you deserve. Here, wait one moment,” St. Vincent said as he walked to his desk and opened a drawer. He walked back over to Gage and handed him the small box in his hand.
                  Gage opened the box and there was a golden ring with rubies encrusted in it. It was a thing of beauty and looked like it was worth a small fortune.
                  “I can’t take this,” Gage said as he tried to give it back.
                  “I insist. This ring has been in the St. Vincent family for many generations, and it only makes sense that you would have it too.”
                  Gage’s heart swelled and he suddenly had this huge feeling of belonging, it was unlike anything he had felt before.
                  “This is all well and good, but how am I supposed to marry Alice if you’re still engaged?”
                  St. Vincent just smirked. “You just leave that up to me.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Twelve
     
    Alice was going to faint. Today was the biggest day of her life, and yet she couldn’t even breathe. The boning from her corset dug into her ribs and she could feel the air being forced from her. She put a hand against the wall and tried to get herself together. She should be happy today; it was her wedding day after all. She was about to become the Countess of Devonshire. She should be happy. The tears falling from her eyes told her otherwise.
    She closed her eyes and all she could picture was a set of green eyes looking back at her. She moved from the wall to find a handkerchief to wipe her tears on. There was no point in lying to herself. Her heart knew that she loved Gage; there was no doubt in that. But while her heart beat for Gage, her mind screamed for the Earl and the safety that he provided.
    Alice had always followed society’s expectations and never once questioned why. As much as she wanted Gage, today was not the day that she was going to start to question those expectations. She could not shame her mother and father by following her heart; it simply wasn’t who she was.
    Wiping the last of the tears from her eyes, she promised herself to always keep her memories with Gage tucked closely to her heart, where she could recall them from time to time when she needed a reminder of his love.
    Walking