Free Pascale Duguay by Twice Ruined Page B

appearance could not get much worse and found that the ointment worked surprisingly well, not even leaving a single scar to remind him of his former state. Until now, that was.
    Patience broke into his reminiscences. “You know that I dislike this situation as much as you do.”
    Julius put down his fork and knife to glare at her. “Do you really?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “It seems to me that you did a splendid job of ensnaring the catch of the Season. This whole escapade must have taken much planning. You are to be congratulated, Belinda.”
    “Do you seriously think I would wish to be married to such a man as you?”
    “And what kind of man is that?” Julius could not resist asking. “One with a number of estates and worth so much that a gambler would go to any means to get his hands on his fortune?”
    “No! All I see is a self-important, arrogant, obnoxious beast who cares only about himself! I truly pity the woman who will succeed in marrying you, my lord.”
    “It would seem that has already been taken care of,” he nearly shouted back.
    “If you think that I consider this ridiculous situation as final, then you will be happy to know that it is far from being so.” Patience flung her chair back and flew out of the room.
    Julius sighed and pushed away his barely eaten breakfast. He felt as grumpy as a surly bear this morning. He had barely slept a wink last night, his mind returning to the inevitable fact that he was to marry Patience. She was right on one count at least; the whole situation was ridiculous. This hoyden was so far from what he had imagined as a bride that he would have laughed out loud had he been able to do so. As it was, he could only stare murderously at his mostly untouched breakfast. What did she think she was about anyway? Did her father truly believe he would pay all his gambling debts without a word? His own gambling father had almost ruined them once. He had not gotten them out from under the hatches so that another leech could take his father’s place. The whole Bingham family be damned! He threw down his napkin and stood abruptly. Maybe a hard gallop on his favourite stallion might help him dispel the dark cloud hanging over his head.

    Patience took refuge in the rose garden. Hidden from view by a curtain of tall, climbing vines, she sank onto a bench and tried to get a hold on her temper by taking deep, slow breaths. She was dying to run to her aunt’s room but knew that she needed to calm herself first. If she wanted to convince her aunt to help her out of this mess, she needed to have a clear head.
    Her aunt’s behaviour had been extremely odd last night. She was certain she had seen the older lady smile in the carriage. Could she actually be pleased at having caught her niece in that embarrassing way? Why else was she so set on seeing her married to Julius? It was not as if she was known in these parts. No one had heard her real name. So why could they not have hushed up her part in this escapade? Was there something going on that she was not aware of?
    Feeling slightly calmer, she got up and made her way to her aunt’s chamber meaning to get some answers. She had not gotten very far last night. Lady Rutherford had pleaded a headache and Lady Westbury had thought it best to see her to her room, saying they would speak in the morning. Patience did not care that it was still very early according to her aunt. Awake or not, she meant to find out what was happening.
    As it turned out, Patience found that lady sitting up in bed, sipping from a cup of hot chocolate. She looked up, startled, as Patience flounced into the room.
    “Dear child, what is the matter now?”
    “There is quite plenty that is the matter now, starting with this marriage which I have no intention of taking part in!”
    “It seems to me as if it is a little late to back out now. One does not share a bed with a man for nearly a week and then come crying at the injustice of it all.”
    Patience felt her