Love Me True (3 page)

Was he planning to make her his prisoner now? But Lord Justin merely threaded his fingers through her hair, combing through snarls until she felt no pain. Then with deft twists of his fingers, her hair landed on her head and he reached for the pins she’d left in a pile last night.

When he was done, he dragged her upright to face him. He tugged tucked a few missed strands behind her ear and nudged her mouth shut.

“Time to face the Duchess.”

CHAPTER THREE

Justin dragged Claribel out of his bedroom and marched them down the hall toward the ducal apartments. Although he knew this marriage was not what she wanted, he was honor bound to make it right and save her reputation. To save her from her own foolishness. He could not believe she would stoop so low as to try to seduce a man clearly in love with another woman. And married to her now, too. The thought made him nauseous.

Although he hadn’t realized until this morning that it wasn’t Lucy in his bed last night, Clarry had been heaven in his arms. She had responded with such delightful enthusiasm, and her passionate responses and demands had inflamed him.

But it was all a lie. Those responses had been for his brother, Tristan. A man who had never once shown her any partiality that he could remember, despite Clarry’s obvious attempts to capture his attention. Justin had watched from the sidelines, heart sinking with each encounter until he couldn’t stand to watch anymore.

Loving someone who didn’t love you back hurt.

And now they would suffer together in polite silence until death parted them. Not even he had dared write such a mournful ending for one of his character’s lives.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Clarry holding her temple. Justin instantly slowed his pace to match her shorter strides. He’d forgotten her head probably beat like a drum from her over indulgence of last night. Perhaps he was partially to blame for her state this morning, but he’d forgotten any thought of guilt or complicity the moment she admitted she’d been planning to spend the night in his newly married brother’s bed. Of all the foolish things to do. But the deed was done, beyond her power to correct, and he hoped to God he could survive this unholy union.

Justin stopped before the corridor leading to his mother’s private chambers and turned to Claribel. She winced as she looked up at him and he moved her so she rested against the wall behind a potted plant so they might have more privacy should anyone stumble upon them. “When we see Her Grace I want you to let me do all the talking. No matter what I say, just nod your head and agree with me. Is that understood?”

Claribel’s eyes filled with tears. “What are you going to tell her?”

He wasn’t in the mood for tears. Not from this scheming chit, and certainly not after this morning’s revelations. “Certainly not everything. Not even a quarter.” He grasped her arm, tucking her against his side. “But it must be done immediately if we have a hope of being believed. Come on. Smile Miss Wheaton. Your reputation depends on it.”

As the two footmen positioned outside the ducal apartments came into view, Claribel clutched his arm. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Clarry. Marriage is the only choice you have.”

Justin nodded to the servants. “I’d like to see my mother immediately. Would you ask if she is prepared for visitors?”

“Of course, Lord Justin.” The tallest man tapped on the door and stepped into the antechamber leading to his mother’s bedchamber. After a brief rush of words with his mother’s maid, they were ushered inside. Claribel dropped his arm immediately and moved to the fireplace, rubbing her arms as she went. There would be a lengthy wait, of course. His mother was notoriously fussy about being seen in perfect looks. So when the door burst open and his mother rushed in, he was so surprised that his hastily put together announcement flew out of his mind. He gulped to clear his throat. “Mother. You’re already up?”

“Well, of course I am, my darling boy. I’m standing here, am I not?”

She took another step into the room then her eyes widened as they landed on Claribel. “Mother, I have some wonderful news.”

The duchess clutched her hands together at her waist. “You found her first. Thank heavens. Now that she’s been located, unharmed, we can return her home. Her father is beside himself with worry.”

Justin glanced at Claribel and noticed she bit her lip. Was she wondering if it were possible to get out of this mess without anyone knowing where she’d spent the night? Her mouth opened and a squeak of sound emerged. Justin shook his head to silence her. “Mother, you can be the first to congratulate me. Miss Wheaton has consented to become my wife.”

The silence in the chamber was loud enough to deafen them all. Then the duchess clucked her tongue and turned away, sinking into a chair with a sigh. “I hardly think such a drastic action is necessary, Justin. No doubt Miss Wheaton fell asleep in some out of the way place. There is no need to offer marriage for a miscalculation on her part.”

Since his mother disliked Miss Wheaton quite strongly she would, of course, try to save him from what she saw as a potential entrapment. If she knew the truth of last night, he hated to think what she’d do to them both. The duchess could make Clarry’s life here at the Hall hell on earth if she learned what her real aim had been for the previous night.

Justin set his hands to his hips. “There is every need, Your Grace. We wish to marry.”

His mother glanced at him sharply, eyes taking in his fresh appearance and then Claribel’s rumpled state. Her eyes narrowed. “Is that so? And whose idea is that?”

Justin braced himself. “Mine.”

The duchess glanced between them again, a frown softening slowly into a less hostile expression. She sighed heavily. “Your father will need to see you immediately, Justin. Leave Miss Wheaton here with me while the pair of you debate the consequences of your rash decision.”

“Of course.”

Although he loathed leaving Clarry alone with his mother, he did need to speak to his father, especially if there was a search underway. Justin kissed his mother’s cheek and then turned to Clarry. Her face had drained of color and her hand rested on the back of a chair for support.

Justin crossed the room and set one hand to her shoulder. “I’ll be back soon, my love.”

He dropped a kiss to her cheek then drew back to see how she reacted. Her skin flushed a delicious pink. He hoped that blush was from pleasure and not embarrassment. With one more squeeze to her shoulder, Justin strode out the door and headed for his father’s study. He entered without knocking and found not just his father, but Mr. Wheaton, Lord Edenbray and his brother Tristan arguing loudly about Clarry’s disappearance. This was going to be awkward.

“Where the hell have you been!” his father bellowed.

“Visiting with Her Grace.” Justin crossed the room. “May I have a private word with you, Father?”

“Later, boy, later. Miss Wheaton is missing and must be found.” His father turned back to Mr. Wheaton who was consulting a large map of the district.

Justin cleared his throat. “Ah, I should tell you about Miss Wheaton first. She’s with Her Grace at present.”

Both men turned to stare at him, their expressions hot enough to bore holes into his head. Somewhat tardily, Justin remembered that neither man had a reputation for keeping his countenance when faced with unpleasantness.

Clarry’s father closed the gap between them. Tall, ginger haired and renowned for his quick temper, Mr. Wheaton added invisible daggers to his chest. “She’s where?”

Justin swallowed before speaking. “She is with Her Grace. I just left her there.”

“Jus—” his brother began—“what have you done?”

He’d not be explaining a damn thing to Tristan since he was the one who’d led him—albeit inadvertently—into this mess. “I’d like to request an interview with you too, Mr. Wheaton, at your earliest convenience.”

Mr. Wheaton scowled, teeth grinding together, but he did nod his head. “Am I to assume there might be some unseemly haste to your need for this discussion?”

Justin dipped his head cautiously, wondering how the older man would take the news. Mr. Wheaton scowled and then he sat himself down to wait.

“For Gods sake, Justin—” his father huffed—“I said choose a bride quickly, but this is ridiculous. Have you no sense of timing?”

“No, Father, apparently none at all.”

His father scowled and then ushered Lord Edenbray from the chamber. Tristan settled against a wall, arms over his chest, but their father hooked his arm and hauled him toward the door. “Out. Go back to your wife.”

“But—” Tristan began.

Their father slammed the door shut in Tristan’s face and the crash gave Justin chills.

“Justin,” his brother shouted through the wood, “I’ll be back to speak with you later.”

Oh, wonderful.
Did Tristan expect him to relate all the details of his future wife’s affections? Justin would not share that information with her one true love even on his death bed.

Well, this was it. This was the most important negotiation of his life. He had to fool them both into thinking he and Clarry were so madly in love that they might agree with his request to be married by special license to save her reputation. If only that could be remotely true.

Clarry’s father sat forward. “Explain yourself young man.”

He met Mr. Wheaton’s gaze direct. “We are in love.”

Mr. Wheaton scoffed. “The only thing my daughter is in love with is herself. Young man, you’ve made a foolish choice for a bride.”

He snapped his mouth shut as his father started coughing into his fist. That wasn’t the type of comment Justin had expected either. “I’m sure you’re mistaken. Your daughter is everything a man could want for a wife.”

Except for the small problem of her being in love with his happily married brother.

Mr. Wheaton looked on him with pity. “My wife spoiled my daughter to an alarming degree. Despite my attempts to nurture more serious interests, she has the attention span of a flea. She will bore you to tears within a week.”

Justin glanced at his father to find him wide eyed. What the hell kind of interview was this? He had expected Mr. Wheaton to rail at him for ruining his daughter, not to be the object of pity. He found Mr. Wheaton’s lack of concern astonishing. “Nevertheless, I wish to marry her as soon as possible. We’d also like to marry by special license rather than waiting for the banns to be called.”

While his father raised an eyebrow at Justin’s obvious haste, Mr. Wheaton nodded in agreement. “Probably a good idea. The flighty chit may very well try to abscond during the night as it is. I’d make a point to lock the doors at night. However, if she does make a run for it, I’m not chasing after her. I’ve had enough of her antics to last me a life time.” Mr. Wheaton pointed a finger at him. “She’s your problem now.”

Good God. This was a side of Clarry’s father that he’d never imagined existed. Oh, he knew Mr. Wheaton was a gruff man like his father, but at least the duke proved he had a heart now and again. Mr. Wheaton’s callous disregard for his daughter’s battered reputation angered him. “Well, if that is the case then perhaps you would allow her to stay at Staplehurst Hall until the wedding. I’m sure my mother would be glad for the company.”

Justin glanced at his father and prayed he wouldn’t contradict his invitation. His father nodded sagely. “Yes. Yes. My duchess enjoys the company of the younger set. Claribel will have ample chaperonage, too, since Lady Armitage is still in residence.”

Mr. Wheaton snorted loudly then glanced in Justin’s direction. “Hardly matters now, does it? Do whatever the hell you wish with her. I’ll return to sign the contract and for the wedding.”

The duke held up his hands. “I assure you, your daughter will be sleeping on the other side of the house, far from my son until the wedding.”

Mr. Wheaton shook his head in disgust and speared Justin with a harsh glance. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you if she makes you miserable.”

With that, Mr. Wheaton stalked out, shutting the door loudly behind him.

Justin stared after him in shock. Damnation! He turned to his father.

The duke had sunk into his chair and was studying him intently. “Explain.”

Justin hated lying to his father. He’d never been very good at it in the past but he had to make the attempt. “Miss Wheaton and I have discovered that we suit quite well. Be happy for me.”

His father shook his finger as he sat forward. “Yesterday you almost bolted from my presence when we discussed finding you a wife. I highly doubt that a few short hours have changed your opinion of the wedded state.”

Oh, if only his father knew how those hours had changed him. “Sometimes a moment of clarity is all it takes.”

His father pursed his lips. “We should discuss living arrangements before your mother sets her heart on what you don’t want.” He twisted to pull a ledger from a shelf nearby and flipped the pages open. “The house in Sussex is presently vacant and in good repair, or the property in Cheshire could do very well for you, too.”

Justin’s heart sank. “You’re banishing me for marrying Miss Wheaton?”

His father closed the ledger. “No. No, of course not. I simply expected you to want the same privacy as your brother. As you know, your mother is prone to meddling. If I didn’t need Tristan close by, and he could convince Winifred to leave her father behind, he’d have taken the Cheshire property.”