Bartered Bride Romance Collection (80 page)

Lord, rage burns in my belly, the weight of betrayal presses upon my chest
.

How could Tabitha have done this to him?

Worse still, how did he not see that she had not returned his regard? Had he been so blinded by her beauty that he missed her selfish nature? She had made a fool of him! A mockery of all he offered her—everything she accepted. Now Libby waited in his chamber—no,
their
chamber—where he should be on his wedding night. But he could not go to her. Not when he’d thought so long about marrying her sister! So here he sat, a prisoner in the jail he’d constructed for himself, bit by bit. Never had an architect constructed such a fine goal. Never had Gregory dreamed his dreams would fail.

What am I to do with this bride who should be no wife of mine? Father, I seek Your peace but find it obscured by the cloud of my new marriage. Help me know what to do, Lord
.

No matter how hard he tried to find an avenue of escape, he found nothing. Tabitha had eloped with Donald Lyte, leaving Gregory to wed her sister or be made a laughingstock.

Maybe
, he mused as he thought of the strange woman upstairs,
it would have been better to be a laughingstock
.

Gregory fisted his hands in the hair at his temples and groaned.
No
. More was at stake than just his pride. That would have ruined his business, too. Clients needed to know he was a man who delivered on his promises, who had everything under control. If they lost their belief in his ability to do that, it would all be over. And after the money he’d paid to help William Collier and to build Cranberry Hill … he couldn’t afford that. None of them could.

That’s it!
Abruptly, Gregory knew what he’d do to avoid this sham of a marriage without losing face. Dipping his pen in an uncapped bottle of ink, he began to scratch out a message.

Libby awoke the next morning to find herself inside the enormous canopied bed, snuggled under the covers. Alone, she could find no memory of having left the chair before the fire.

I must have fallen asleep
, she deduced. But she must have drifted off while sitting before the fire. There wasn’t a chance Libby would have climbed into his bed to wait for him! She knew she hadn’t.

Gregory wasn’t in the room now—he must have come in and found her sleeping then carried her to the bed. Why must she be such a sound sleeper? Had he even tried to awaken her? She sat bolt upright at her next thought.

Did he think I was trying to avoid him? Did he spend the night beside me?
She could feel the heat of her blush creep up her neck and into her cheeks.

Desperate to know, she looked at the pillow beside her, intending to search for anything that would show he’d slept there. An indentation in the pillow, something … but all she found was a folded sheet of paper with her name written on it, resting on a pristine and undisturbed pillowslip.

“Libby,” it read. Not “Dear Libby” or “My Darling Bride,” but simply her nickname. She bit back a sigh at the stark beginning and tried to focus on the few lines scrawled across the page. Maybe he’d tell her what he planned for the day or how he hoped to make the marriage work …

Libby
,

I’ve been called away on business and will leave early this morning to oversee a paddleboat run. I should be able to return in a fortnight
.

I’ve already made arrangements with the bank, so you may furnish the place as you see fit. Mrs. Farley should be of great assistance
.

Gregory Alan Royce

She flipped the paper over to make sure nothing more was written on the back. Blank. A few curt words, a handful of sentences, and no apology or endearment whatsoever. Libby felt her shoulders slump, and she drew her knees to her chest, scanning the lines once more to be sure. It was the letter of a man happy to get away.

From me
. She pressed the back of her hand against her lips to suppress the powerful swell of emotion. Gregory had never wanted her before, and she’d been a fool to hope that a ceremony would change his feelings. How could she have ever thought he’d soften toward her so soon? Her husband was a strong man who had known what he wanted, but he had been cheated out of it. Expecting Tabitha and ending up with herself instead—it wasn’t too difficult to imagine his bitter disappointment.

When Tabitha became engaged, I feared I’d never be wed, that I’d be the lonely spinster for the rest of my days. All my prayers, all my dreams of having a love of my own, a home and family outside of my father’s … and I inherit Tabitha’s castoffs
. Tears slid down her cheeks as she shut her eyes.
How was I to know that marriage to the man I wanted would leave me more alone than ever? At home I had Papa and the servants I’ve known my entire life. Here I have nothing
.

Wrong
. A small but powerful voice shook her from her self-pity with its conviction. She considered for a moment, dropping her head in shame and relief.

Lord, how could I have thought for a moment I had nothing when I have You? You will neither leave me nor forsake me, and with the power of Your love and the force of Your will, anything is possible. Thank You
. Her tears were of gratitude now.

How foolish of her to wallow in pity when she’d been given so much for which to be thankful. Papa’s business was saved, Tabitha was safely wed to the man she loved, and although it wasn’t the way Libby had dreamed it, so was she. Of course, Gregory was struggling with the situation. Who could blame him?

It was up to Libby to be the best wife she could be, make his house a home and this marriage a family. She, for one, had meant every word of her marriage vows. Now was the time to live them out.

She pushed aside the covers and sank into the thick cushion of carpet beneath her bare feet. Libby rifled through the delicate dresses made for her petite sister until she found a shapeless brown piece that accommodated her more generous frame. One of the first things she needed to do was have her own things sent over. She cast another glance at the bursting wardrobe and reminded herself to have the maids pack up Tabitha’s things and return them. They had no place here, and Tabitha, no doubt, needed them.

Fully dressed, her hair pulled back in a loose chignon, Libby threw open the door.

“Oh!” A startled maid, her hand raised as though to rap on the door, quickly recovered and bobbed a curtsy. “Mrs. Royce is waiting in the parlor, ma’am. We tried to say you wasn’t at home, but she insisted I fetch you immediately.”

“Ah. I’ll see her straightaway.” Libby pushed her thoughts of exploring the house to the back of her mind and made her way to the parlor with a quick prayer for strength. Surely Gregory’s mother would have questions about … everything.

Chapter 4

M
rs. Royce.” Libby stepped into the room and politely acknowledged her new mother-in-law. “Elizabeth,” the woman returned. As she perused Libby unabashedly, Libby did the same.

Mrs. Royce’s black hair, so like her son’s, bore streaks of white. Age had stolen none of her handsome looks, for hers was no soft prettiness but rather the attraction of lively intelligence and inner strength.

“Daisy will bring us some refreshments shortly.” Libby made small talk as she sat on the settee opposite the other woman. “I’d imagine it’s a good time for us to get better acquainted. Gregory should be pleased to return and find us … companionable.” She finished with a slight smile, hoping Mrs. Royce would feel the same way rather than blame Libby for the unfortunate situation they had to deal with.

“So he has left, then?” Mrs. Royce huffed in disbelief. “I could scarce credit it when I read his short note. Inexcusable behavior.” Her gaze warmed as it rested on Libby. “I assure you I did raise him with manners, my dear.” The warmth in her eyes fled as she set her jaw. “Though he’s every right to his anger after the cruel trick your sister played upon him. My son deserves better than that type of treatment.”

“Absolutely.” Libby nodded. “Gregory has been coming to my father’s house for many months and has always been a perfect gentleman. And no gentleman deserves to be thrown over on his wedding day.” She leaned forward, encouraged by her mother-in-law’s comments. “I don’t blame him for needing a bit of time to himself after the … upset.”

“You’re a wise woman, Elizabeth.” Mrs. Royce settled back as though ready for a long chat. “And, though I know Gregory fancied himself in love with Tabitha, I warned him she was a flighty chit who wouldn’t be a match for him.”

“I am fully aware of the repercussions of my sister’s actions,” Libby spoke more stiffly now, “but she is my sister and will make a fine wife.”

“I didn’t say she wouldn’t, m’dear.” Mrs. Royce patted her knee consolingly. “Simply that she wouldn’t have made Gregory happy. Now, now, don’t say anything at all. It’s good that you’re loyal to your sister, but Gregory needs more from a wife than a pretty smile and girlish charm.”

Libby sat in silence, unsure how to respond to this pronouncement. It didn’t seem to matter, as Gregory’s mother plunged ahead.

“You see, Elizabeth, I’m of the opinion that this will be a much better marriage than the other would have been. After Gregory gets over his wounded pride and realizes it, you’ll do well together.”

At this, Libby was so shocked—and pleased—she couldn’t do more than gape at her new mother-in-law.

“Do close your mouth, Elizabeth.” Mrs. Royce smiled and removed her gloves. “I’ve come to help you.”

Gregory stood at the helm of his largest paddleboat the day after his wedding, looking out across the mighty Mississippi River. Usually the majestic sight soothed his nerves, reaffirmed his faith, and made him give thanks for the wonders God created. Today, glutted with the water from plentiful spring rain, the glorious river showed her less favorable side as the current did its best to push his vessel off course.

Bits of flotsam dotted the water, proving to be much larger and more threatening than they initially seemed, lurking beneath the hidden depths of the river’s face. The mighty Mississippi, long his friend, had turned her power against him on this voyage. She, like his mother’s hastily scribbled response to his notice, urged him to return to his unwanted bride.

“Women,” Gregory growled to the breeze, “always contrary.”
And formidable
, he added silently as the
Riverrider
narrowly avoided a large, mostly submerged patch of jagged rocks.

All the same. The river, with her smooth-flowing surface, turns to a churning threat at a moment’s notice.
Tabitha fits the pattern, with her guileless gaze, showing only at the last moment her ruthless determination to leave. Ma, with her calm demeanor and steely resolve, hides her true strength until it is absolutely necessary to unleash it
.

Leaving charge of the boat to his first mate, Gregory made his way to his cabin. The more he thought about it, the more he knew he’d made the right decision. Better to have time to sort out the way he wanted to handle things than be blind-sided by Elizabeth. There was no telling what she’d want to do.