The Wedding Deception (9 page)

- Thanks, but for now, I prefer not involve anyone else in this story. However, if Beckham does not offer me any consistent information, consult the lawyer of the duke. - Jasper drank the last sip of wine and left the empty glass on his desk. - Now go to the house of Manning.

Rising, the marquis held out his hand.

- I wish you good luck.

Jasper stood up and shook hands with his brother.

- Thanks. I'll need it.

After fifteen minutes of waiting in the hall, Lord Fairhurst was conveyed to the visiting room of the house of Manning.

Upon entering, immediately met with Rebecca sitting near the fireplace. His sister Anne was a chair nearby. He greeted them courteously, but the girls did not respond. Reluctant Anne indicated a chair. Thanking you, he sat in front of the sisters. There he was offered tea, soft drink or even a glass of water.

Jasper smiled inwardly. The cool reception was very different from how it used to be received in that house when it was still considered a potential suitor. Now, was regarded with suspicion and distrust. And nobody could blame them for that.

- I talked to my lawyer today - Lord Fairhurst began.

Rebecca looked up and his eyes shone with hope.

- Everything has been resolved? You are free from that horrible woman?

Jasper tried to ignore the feeling of apprehension that invaded.

- I'm afraid the news is not very nice.

- Oh! - Rebecca squirmed in his chair.

His face was the picture of disappointment. If your intent was to make him feel guilty, she had gained his goal.

- Although not yet confirmed the marriage took place that my brother using my name seems to have legal support.

- Want to apply for annulment? - Anne asked.

- It would be ideal, but if not possible, I will come with the application for divorce. - Although it is talking to two girls, he stared at Rebecca.

-Divorce? - Rebecca uttered the word like a curse. - I can not marry a divorced man!

It would be an unacceptable outrage, I would be discriminated against by society, forever. Nobody high social position would welcome me in their halls.

- I do not believe that we will get the divorce, but I feel it my duty to prevent it we face the worst hardships. The circumstances are so unusual that many of our friends and acquaintances are sympathetic ones. In the beginning it will be difficult, but I'm sure that survive the storm. Together. - He looked at her with intensity. - High society has a short memory, and I have friends and relatives influential and powerful. I am confident that, gradually, we accepted in the finest homes
beau monde.

- And what do we do in the meantime? Let's hide in the field? - Rebecca made a sound of contempt. - This is unacceptable!

Lord Fairhurst weighed his words before saying:

- We are not yet officially engaged. I am hopeful that we will to be, but I can not say when it will happen.

Rebecca did not respond. He continued to stare at him with resentment, making the climate even more tense.

- Sorry for being all that difficult for you, Rebecca - he added remain calm.

- Difficult? - The brightness of her eyes frightened him. Jasper imagined that she would be angry, but the intensity of his anger was a surprise unpleasant.

- I am being humiliated, my lord! - She screamed. - Waiting like created a docile as you parade through the city arm in arm with that woman!

- It was an unfortunate accident e. ..

- Unfortunate for whom? - She stopped, narrowing his eyes cold. - For you? Being caught with his mistress?

- Rebecca! - The timid voice of Anne echoed around the room. - Lord Fairhurst is a gentleman. He would never be so vulgar.

- My eyes deceived me the other day on Bond Street?

- What you saw and what was happening are very different things. - Jasper tried to stay calm and patient. - In her distress, you took to conclusions and made an innocent incident and insignificant in a drama of exaggerated proportions. There is an explanation simple ...

- How dare you? - Rebecca stood in a standing jump and slapped Jasper's face. - Do not overlook my misery. You have no idea distress, pain, everything that I have faced! - She raised the hand and started to slap him again, but held it to Jasper wrist.

- Once I allow, considering their emotional state changed. But only one. - He nodded and finished in a barely audible. - I understand your anger, but try to remember that you are a lady. She blanched.

- How dare you malign my character?

- Do not gossiped, Miss. Manning. Their attitudes are witnesses of their lack of character.

Maybe he should not be so frank and rude, but his patience had reached the unbearable. I was not prepared for that emotional attack.

- Remove immediately, Lord Fairhurst. And do not dare to return because it is no longer welcome at home.

- Oh, Rebecca - Anne muttered.

- Goodbye, Lord Fairhurst.

Jasper should feel devastated by the rejection of Rebecca, but suddenly felt a strange sense of relief, as if he had taken a weight of the shoulders. Jasper bowed his head slightly to the servant who accompanied him to the Manning the door. For the last time.

By get home, did not come immediately. He preferred to walk through the gardens the mansion, reflecting on the events of the day.

Walked between beds and well kept with flowers and, on entering the mall between the rose garden, he saw Claire. She sat on a bench half hidden by foliage, with a book and hat beside her. Head slightly raised, eyes closed, seemed delighted with the feeling of the sun in your face. To relieve the heat, slowly waved a fan. Jasper hesitated for a moment. It would be inappropriate be alone, especially an area so isolated. But it would be cowardice to turn on his heels and escape.

- Good afternoon - he greeted, coming up. - I see that is enjoying the sun. Claire turned his face toward him. She stared at him with surprised eyes. Quickly put on his hat and arranged her skirt, pulling down the book with the hasty gesture.

- Lord Fairhurst, you scared me.

- Sorry. I sit with you? - He asked, taking the book the ground. She felt her indecision. After all, during one week, he had done everything to avoid it.

- Sure. - She moved to the edge of the seat to give him place. - The garden is yours.

- There is much peace in this garden - Jasper said.

- Yes It's interesting how a natural environment can provide us calmness and tranquility. And it seems that you need this, my lord.

He did not contain a wry smile.

- Is it that obvious?

- Is. Had a hard day?

- Challenging. I'm coming from the house of Ms.. Manning. In the morning, I talked with my lawyer.

- The expression on his face and tone of voice tell the rest of the story. - She sighed.

- The news is not good?

- We have to resort to divorce.

- Oh, my God! Sorry. It will be inconvenient for you, no?

- And for you.

By one moment she seemed bewildered. Then he smiled.

- Imagine! I think I'll be famous in Wiltshire. I will be the first divorced to walk in the village.

- This is very serious. Divorced women are generally banned by most conservative societies.

- So, I'm lucky not to live in a society as conservative. In a small community there will be lots of comments, and I know that those more rigid and intolerant disapprove openly, but my family and loyal friends support me. - She looked at him with worried expression.

- I am afraid you will have more problems than me. Can not we try annulment? Maybe it takes longer, but less scandalous.

- Apparently, there are no grounds for annulment.

- And if we claim that the marriage was not consummated? She blushed, but only touched on the subject in order to help you. Jasper was moved by Detachment.

- I appreciate your willingness to face such a constraint only for encourage me, but that does not guarantee cancellation. It would take prove that the husband was unable to perform the marital act. - Jasper cleared his throat. - I believe that my pride has suffered too, except I need officially support such a lie.

- Nobody would believe it - she muttered. The praise brought a smile to his lips.

- Thanks.

The Claire's face became even redder when I realized that the Lord heard comment. He marveled again with gentleness, kindness and the spontaneity of it. And suddenly, against all its determinations, realized that he liked her. Very. Claire had the power to stimulate your mind and your senses, but more importantly, she made him laugh. Sometimes it even.

- I'm sure his lawyer will find an easier and less traumatic to dissolve this union, my lord. Despite appearing your name on the marriage certificate, I can testify that it was Jay who signed the records. There should be a contingency for legal annul the marriage in such circumstances.

- We will await the advice of my attorney. - After a brief pause, and remembering that he was not the only one affected by the situation, Jasper asked: - Are you missing home?

- No - She nodded, looking embarrassed by the response. - Well, before coming to London, almost never left the confines my city. And I'm enjoying it very much.

- You have walked a lot?

- Oh, yes. Her mother and sister have been very kind. We went to the tower of London, Westminster Abbey and also watch the shows at the Royal Academy. - Claire raised her sobrancelhas. "But I must return home. It makes no sense I get living in your home.

Probably she'd better get back to Wiltshire, but Jasper has found that the idea bothered him. Although have prevented it, felt a certain comfort in know she was around. An absurd idea flashed in his mind, but common sense soon rejected it. In However, the idea persisted, waving possibilities.

Your Rebecca commitment was broken. But still wanting a wife. After all, his family was protecting Claire. Already broken head, trying to find a solution that would favor. Only had an answer, and he had the power of decision. If he had courage.

- You're in love with my brother?

Was the more direct question that Claire had ever heard in my life. At the same time, one of the easiest to answer because it contains the absolute truth. Still, she hesitated. The minutes dragged on, and Lord Fairhurst continued to stare at her, waiting.

- I have great affection for Jay - she said, finally.

- Affection?

- Yes, and deep respect.

- Once, you told me it was romantic. I thought that a woman with this nature would not be content only with affection and respect for husband. The intensity of his gaze made her nervous.

- You can not always receive what we demand. I needed a Jay and her husband needed a wife. Given this, we decided to marry.

- However, my crazy brother caused the biggest stir. - Lord Fairhurst straightened his hat brim Claire, further exposing the face her to his gaze searchingly. - Still need a husband?

Claire shuddered. His face was calm, his gaze intense. He would offering to assume the role of husband? His heart beat faster strong. Marriage to Jay out a practical agreement. With Lord Fairhurst would be completely different for reasons that she dared not understand.

- I got married in order to hold myself from a modest inheritance from my grandmother - Claire explained. - And to avoid the advances of a persistent Hidalgo village. Actually, it was Jay who warned me of the danger the man represented. Lord Fairhurst smiled.

- My brother has an admirable talent for saving endangered maidens. Now it's my turn to play the hero. - A bright inexplicable His eyes lit up. - You would think the possibility of becoming my wife?

Fortunately, Claire was sitting. Otherwise, your knees would bend.

- And Miss. Manning?

- Rebecca saw fit to break off our engagement.

- Sorry.

- No need. - Lord's voice sounded almost gleeful Fairhurst. - Commented on a possible divorce and she considered absurd marry a divorced man. I can not blame her. I consider myself the idea also means stodgy.

- I understand. - Claire was disappointed. Lord Fairhurst was nothing more than a practical man. Now that was no longer committed to Miss. Manning, the simplest way to avoid scandal, would continue married her.

- If you accept, you can use a legitimate title of Lady Fairhurst. One day you will become Countess of Stafford. Furthermore, you are entitled a considerable portion of my fortune.

- And Jay? How can I leave it like that?

- You're not leaving. If Mr Beckham is correct, you never been married to my brother.

"My relationship with Jay was special. From the outset, we agree live separate lives away from each other. And whatever too?

- No. I do not want a marriage of convenience. As firstborn and heir, have greater responsibilities than my brother. I want one woman not only to drive home, but also to meet commitments social.

- I do not feel qualified - Claire protested. - I have no practice and no clearance required for living in aristocratic circles.

- Nonsense. You're a lady of good character, intelligent and good family. My mother and my sister to teach the most delicate and complicated rules of high society. I have no doubt that you will be a great success.

The His confidence was encouraging. But there were other aspects of the proposal that should be clarified. Claire took a deep breath and suddenly felt short of breath.

- Do you want children?

- We have to think about it. - He smiled and his face cleared. - Jason is my heir, so that the lineage of Barrington's secure. But I confess I never thought I would need an heir a good reason for having children. The decision to have children should be taken by mutual agreement. I am not opposed, but would leave the discussion for the future, once we know better.

Claire gripped the edge of the stone bench. The proposal was not bad. Jasper was offering him more than she dreamed. He liked to live in London, at least during part of the year, and was eager to explore the refined world of the aristocracy. And his feelings for Lord Fairhurst? It would be foolish to believe that one day they would have a wedding in fact, based on friendship, respect and affection? Arrive to have children?