Free Once Upon A Wedding Night by Sophie Jordan Page B

abandonment had paved the way for his amorous attentions these many years. A widower of middle years, he lacked the sophistication to be called a rake. Left alone to raise a set of troublesome twins that had successfully terrorized every resident of Attingham at one time or another, Meredith believed his attentions were motivated solely by his desperation for companionship.
    Especially as no female was inclined to take on his two terrors in a more permanent arrangement. The fact that Meredith never showed the slightest interest had not swayed the man. A neglected wife such as she appeared the natural companion for dalliance.
    Sir Hiram's eyes gleamed hopefully, as if he believed his chances improved now that she was widowed. Still awaiting her answer, he touched her hand where it rested on her knee beneath the table. She jumped at the touch, sending her knees— his hand included—crashing against the table and jarring both their place settings.
    Hiram winced and pulled his hand free, clutching the injured appendage to his chest. Nick looked on, his eyes hard with interest… and something else.
    "Yes, where will you go now?" Felicia tore her attention from Nick long enough to pick up Sir Hiram's line of questioning. As if the prospect of Meredith leaving were of no account at all, she continued chewing, her cheeks stuffed fat with food. A quick glance around the table revealed that everyone waited for her response. Evidently, no one expected her to stay on.
    "Lady Meredith is not going anywhere."
    All heads swiveled in Nick's direction. He stabbed a small roasted potato with his fork. At that moment, he appeared indifferent to their stares, simply a man enjoying his food. He took a swig of wine before adding, "Lady Meredith will remain here of course. This is her home."
    "And live with you?" Felicia exclaimed, her golden ringlets swinging as she looked back and forth between Nick and Meredith. For the first time, something besides disdain frosted the girl's eyes. Jealousy shined in the china blue depths. "That is highly improper, my lord."
    "Is it?" Nick asked in a tone indicating his lack of interest in what was proper.
    Meredith wanted to laugh at Felicia's reddening face. If the girl's outrage weren't at the cost of her own reputation, she would have been overjoyed.
    Mr. Browne's unsolicited opinion rang out in strident tones. "It cannot be appropriate for two unattached persons to live together out of wedlock—"
    "With her aunt to act as chaperone?" Nick shook his head in dissent. "I hardly think we are stretching the bounds of propriety." His eyes drilled into the gentlemen present. "I dare anyone to sully Lady Meredith's good name by implying differently."
    Mr. Browne sniffed at the indiscreet warning, but wisely chose not to offer further opinion.
    "Besides," Nick added in seeming afterthought, "Lady Meredith is increasing with my brother's child—a better safeguard to her virtue I could not fathom."
    Meredith pressed her eyes shut against the immediate commotion that erupted around the table. Opening her eyes, she met Nick's curious gaze and read the question there.
You haven't told them
?
    In a voice that sounded small and weak even to her own ears, Meredith tried to explain, "I did not know the best time to announce the news… what with Edmund's recent passing there never seemed—"
    Felicia had no trouble getting to the point. The young woman's voice rose over her father and Mr. Browne's well wishes. "Well, are you the earl or not?"
    Nick leaned back in his chair, appearing to enjoy himself as everyone watched him with bated breath, anticipation writ on their faces. "That depends."
    "Depends?" Felicia snapped, clearly anxious to know if he was a prize worth winning. "On what?"
    "On the sex of the child."
    All eyes swung back to Meredith, drilling into her with unnerving intensity—as if they could strip away her clothes to seek the answer buried within.
    At her side, Sir Hiram's voice dropped to a frantic