Free Deceived by Nicola Cornick Page A

cousins-in-law and their paths had seldom crossed. In fact he had once sensed a dislike of him in Freddie, all the stronger for remaining unspoken, and had steered clear of the man with an indifferent shrug.
    He had a warmer regard for Isabella's sister Penelope, a fearsome bluestocking who had the misfortune to share a small house with Freddie in an unfashionable part of Town. But Pen Standish never went into society, so he did not know her well.
    "I could not see Standish choosing to live at Salterton," Marcus said. 'Town is his natural habitat."
    "He could always have sold the house," Alistair pointed out. "Which was no doubt one of the reasons Lady Jane chose to leave it to another member of the family," Marcus said. "She wished it to go to someone whom she thought cared for it."
    Alistair looked quizzical. "Not to you, Marcus? The old lady was monstrous fond of you."
    "No," Marcus said, shaking his head a little. "She did not leave it to me."
    "Then whom?"
    "I believe her heir is Princess Isabella Di Cassilis," Marcus said.
    Alistair pursed his lips into a silent whistle. His eyes were bright. "So that was why you wished me to check on the princess's debts! I had heard that she had returned to London. The papers have been full of the news."
    Marcus hesitated. Despite asking Alistair to discover the information on Isabella's debt to Henshalls , he had not confided the truth of his marriage to his oldest friend. Alistair, who had been his groomsman at the ill-fated wedding twelve years ago, would be astonished to know that Marcus had offered marriage to Isabella now. No, he would be beyond astonishment. He would imagine that Marcus had lost his mind. And for Marcus to admit that his motive was a stark and ruthless revenge seemed somehow ignoble. It was not the sort of thing one man confessed to another. Nevertheless, he could not keep his friend in ignorance any longer. The whole of London would soon know of the match.
    "There was another reason that I was interested in the princess's situation," he said slowly. "We were married on Tuesday."
    He waited while Alistair blinked owlishly, looked at the brandy bottle and then back at him. Alistair's lips moved silently, forming the words princess and married. Marcus grinned.
    "Damned if your brandy hasn't been tampered with after all, Marcus," Alistair said, after a moment. "Either that or I'm touched in the attic. I thought you said that you were married to the Princess Isabella. Must be hearing things."
    "You heard aright," Marcus said. He smiled slightly. "I realize that the news of my nuptials is somewhat sudden."
    "And unexpected." Alistair was frowning at him. "I had no idea that you were so attached to Salterton Hall that you were prepared to marry the heiress to gain it," he added. "Why could you not simply make Lady Jane an offer to buy the house? Or was that too easy for you?"
    "It was not like that," Marcus said ruefully.
    "A whirlwind courtship in the Fleet, was it?" Alistair said sarcastically. "Ah, the pure romance of it all!" He sat back in his wide armchair, looking resigned. "Damn it, Marcus, I hate the way you spring these surprises."
    Marcus sighed. "In truth there is little to tell. We met, we married and now I am come to claim my bride."
    "As one does," Alistair said dryly. He shifted, rubbing his brow. "I suppose you are aware that Fleet marriages were made illegal nigh on fifty years ago?"
    "I am aware." Marcus stood up and dusted the sleeves of his jacket in an attempt to make the ancient evening outfit look a little less shiny and a little more acceptable for wearing in polite society. If he was to make a show of claiming Isabella, then he wanted to look his best to do it. His efforts were unsuccessful, however. He mused that perhaps he should visit his tailor as well as his barber on the morrow.
    "This marriage, however, is not illegal," he continued. "It was celebrated by a proper priest and authorized by special license. It is signed and sealed. You