Free The Duke's Bedeviled Bride (Royal Pains Book 2) by Nina Mason Page B

of King Louis.”
    Unsure of the protocol, Maggie dipped into a curtsy. “What a pleasure to meet you, my lady. You are very welcome at Balloch Castle.”
    Hugh spoke to Juliette in French before turning back to the duke and duchess. “I’m afraid she has little English as yet. I had rather hoped my brother had taught you a sufficient amount of French by now.”
    Maggie’s face heated. Robert had taught her a few French phrases, but none she planned to use in company. Smiling to hide the wicked thought, she inspected her new sister-in-law more closely.
    Disquiet swelled within Maggie when she noticed Juliette resembled her in more than hair color. They had the same wide-set blue eyes and porcelain complexion, the same modest bust line and slender build. Had Hugh unconsciously chosen a bride who favored the one he’d been denied? And what of his alleged preference for men? Perhaps Robert had deliberately deceived her on that score.
    Anger ignited deep in her belly. Just how many lies had her husband told her to get his way?
    Before she could consider the matter further, Hugh offered his arm. Taking his elbow, she allowed him to lead her toward the gate a few steps behind Robert and Juliette, who were similarly arm-in-arm. Jealousy ensnared her heart like a thorny vine as she studied the pair. Had she picked the wrong brother? Not that she’d had much choice in the matter. Robert had been her guardian, her sole means of support, her only prospect save returning to the convent as an initiate—an option she did not care for in the least.  
    Besides, she loved her husband in spite of his deceptions.
    “What do you think of my choice of wife?” Hugh asked.
    She wanted to say how surprised she’d been to learn he’d taken a bride and how amazed she was by the striking resemblance, but she did not. Instead, she said the safer thing. “She is lovely in her person and seems quite amiable. I look forward to knowing her better.”  
    “I shall let you in on a secret.” He leaned in so close his breath tickled the sensitive folds of her ear. “There is more to the fair Juliette than meets the eye.”
    “Whatever do you mean?”
    He laughed. “’Twould be ungentlemanly of me to say, do you not think?”
    She just smiled. Ever the trickster. Good old Hugh. How nice to have his cheerful soul back in Scotland, married or no.  
    “How did the two of you happen to meet?”
    “We first clapped eyes on one another across a crowded ballroom,” he said. “To tell the truth, I thought she was you, come to Versailles in defiance of my brother. Or, perhaps I should say hoped she was you?”
    Shock pricked her heart. “Did you?”
    Holy Mary. He’d wanted her to come to him as much as she’d wanted him to come to her.
    “Aye. I will not speak falsely, Maggie. I have feared for your welfare ever since I got your letter informing me you had accepted Robert’s proposal of marriage.” He slowed his pace, putting greater distance betwixt them and the leading pair. “Do reassure me, now that you’re able. Tell me he has not corrupted your virtue in more ways than a husband usually does.”
    As she contemplated her answer, memories flashed through her mind. Robert tying her to the bed whilst blindfolded. Her caning him before having her way with him until both were too exhausted to move. Him taking part in a threesome at court. Her buggering him with the glass Godemiché whilst he was tied to a cross.
    With each vision, her face grew hotter. If her purity had been tarnished, the deed had not been accomplished against her will.  
    “I know not what you mean,” she said. “Robert loves me as I love him.”
    “My, what a fickle organ is the heart of woman.” Hugh patted the hand with which she kept ahold of his arm. “Not six months ago, I was convinced you loved only me.”
    Robert might be right. Maybe Hugh was not quite the angel she’d always imagined. Love was, after all, said to be blind. If indeed she’d been in