Free B005R3LZ90 EBOK by Cheryl Bolen

slender shoulders, George assisted her into Moreland's waiting carriage for the short ride to the Assembly Rooms. It really seemed decidedly odd to be sitting so close to his younger sister's best friend. Had this been but a single day earlier, Miss Spenser would have been sitting beside Felicity, and he would be sitting next to Moreland.
    What a profound difference a day made. Now Miss Spenser was not just his sister's best friend, she was his betrothed, the woman he had chosen to spend the rest of his life with.
    Without him consciously summoning such morbid reflection, he winced as he remembered the woman he had thought to spend his life with. And he grew solemn. Oh, Diana, I don't mean to forsake you. I shall never love anyone except you.
    Once again he vowed to bury his deep and undying love for Diana. Outwardly, he would honor Sally as if she were the wife of his heart. Only Sally and he would ever know differently.
    He pressed her slim hand within his own. How very fortunate he was to have secured her. And how unselfish she was to consent to marry where there no carnal love, only a pure love for the children borne by another woman. He squeezed Sally's hand tighter.
    As they drew up to the Upper Assembly Rooms, his chest grew tight. He would have to make the announcement tonight. Tonight he would give the best performance of his life.
    The six of them congregated together on the row of chairs reserved for peers and were soon joined by Appleton and the twins. George's friends' puzzled glances at the way he hovered solicitously over Sally throughout the evening did not escape his notice. He only hoped Sally was unaware of their scrutiny. Shielding Sally from his friends' thoughtlessness mattered more to him than betraying Diana by his affectionate manner.
    Once George's and Blanks's closest friends gathered around them, George said, "I should like my friends to be the first know I'm planning to remarry." His glance skipped to Sally.
    "So you'll be heiress hunting?" Melvin said.
    George shook his head. "No, I've already found the woman I'll marry next week." He took Sally's hand. "Miss Spenser."
    Melvin's mouth dropped open while his twin, Elvin's, eyes widened appreciatively.
    "I know how heartily you detest losing another of your bachelor friends to matrimony," George said to Melvin, "but I shall be extremely offended if you do not perceive how fortunate I am to have persuaded Miss Spenser to become my bride."
    George held his breath as Melvin's gaze flitted from George to Sally and back to George.
    Fortunately, Melvin was a gentleman. He gathered his composure, turned to Sally, a gentle smile on his face, and bowed. "May I offer felicitations upon your nuptials? It goes without saying Lord Sedgewick is a most fortunate man."
    "I should be a complete imbecile if I did not acknowledge that it is I who am the fortunate one," she said, tossing a smiling glance up to George.
    "Forgive me if I seem surprised," Melvin added in a low voice. "It's just that with Sedgewick's fortunes being somewhat reduced, I looked for him to marry an heiress."
    The devil take him! George thought. What a crass remark for Melvin to make. Did the fellow not remember George had once married an heiress? An heiress he had dearly loved.
    "Truth be told, I too thought his lordship could have married better," Sally said. "I only pray he does not come to regret not having done so."
    George sucked in his breath. "Never, my love," he said to Sally.
    A look of pity on his face, Melvin took Sally's hand and patted it. "Never concern yourself with such thoughts, ma'am. If Sedgewick is determined to wed you, he'll do everything in his power to make it a successful marriage. He can be rather driven that way."
    George frowned. He had been driven—with Diana's money—to restore Hornsby Manor. Now he was drinking and gambling away all he had once amassed. Miss Spenser deserved better.
    The orchestra began to play, and George turned to his betrothed. "May I have