The Sherbrooke Bride by Catherine Coulter Read Free Book Online Page A

has just arrived, my lord. He said I wasn’t to disturb you but one simply doesn’t disregard His Lordship’s presence, you know.”
    â€œThat is certainly true. To ask Tony to remain in a quiet corner to await someone’s pleasure would never do. I’ll come directly. I wonder what His Lordship wants? Surely not to press me about marriage.”
    â€œProbably not, my lord. If I may speak plainly, His Lordship looks a bit downpin, a bit tight about the mouth. Perhaps ill, although not of the body, you understand, but of the spirit. Were I to hazard a guess, knowing His Lordship’s penchants, I dare say it would involve the fair sex.” He looked off into the distance, adding, “It usually does, regardless of penchants.”
    â€œDamnation,” said Douglas, rising from his desk. “I’ll see him.” He stared down again at the two letters. The messenger could wait a bit longer. He had to think, had to weigh all the alternatives open to him, he had to have more time. Besides, Anthony Colin St. John Parrish, Viscount Rathmore, was the son of his mother’s first cousin, and a favorite of his. It had been six months since they’d been in each other’s company.
    His first view of his cousin did not gladden his heart. He looked depressed as the devil, just as Hollis had said. Douglas strode into the small estate room, closed the door firmly behind him, and locked it. “All right, Tony,” he said without preamble, “out with it. What is wrong?”
    Tony Parrish, Viscount Rathmore, turned about from his perusal of nothing in particular outside the window to look at his cousin. He straightened his shoulders automatically and tried for a smile. It wasn’t much of a smile, but Douglas appreciated the effort, and repeated mildly, “Tell me, Tony. What’s happened?”
    â€œHollis, I gather?”
    â€œYes. Tell me.”
    â€œThat man should have been a bloody priest.”
    â€œOh no, it’s just that he isn’t blind. Also he’s rather fond of you. Now, talk to me, Tony.”
    â€œAll right, curse you, if you must know, I am no longer engaged. I am now without a fiancée. I have been betrayed. I am alone and adrift. I am here.”
    Was Hollis never wrong? Still, Douglas was incredulous. “You mean to say that Teresa Carleton broke it off?”
    â€œOf course she didn’t. Don’t be a simpleton. No, I did. I found out she was sleeping with one of my friends. Friend, ha! The bloody sod! Can you believe it, Douglas? The woman was to marry me— me! —she was to be my bloody wife. I had selected her with great care, I had nurtured her as I would the most precious of blossoms, treated her with consideration and respect, never doing much of anything except kissing her and not even with my mouth open, mind you, and all along she was actually one of my friend’s mistresses. It is impossible to believe, Douglas, it is intolerable.”
    â€œIt isn’t as if she were a virgin to begin with, Tony,” Douglas said mildly. “She’s a widow, after all. I dare say you’ve continued sleeping with your lovers and I doubt not that some of them are friends of Teresa’s.”
    â€œThat’s not the point, and you know it, damn you!”
    â€œPerhaps not to you, but—” Douglas broke off. “It is over then? You’re a free man now? Have you really broken the engagement or are you here to lick your wounds and consider your unanchored state?”
    â€œYes, I’ve broken it off, and I would like to kill the woman for her perfidy! Cuckolding me! Me, Douglas!”
    â€œYou weren’t yet wed to the lady, Tony.”
    â€œThe principle remains the same. I cannot take it in, Douglas, I can scarce convince my mind that it has really happened. How could a woman do such a thing to me?”
    His cousin, Douglas thought, held a very good opinion of himself, and truth be