Free The Earl's Stolen Bride (Marriage by Deceit Book 4) by Ruth Ann Nordin Page A

name into the conversation with an ulterior motive, but he saw no reason to react to it, good or otherwise.  He had the feeling he was being compared to Lord Hawkins, and, more than that, he had a feeling her father found him lacking.
    Careful not to sigh aloud, he glanced at the doorway.  When would the ladies be finished?
    “There’s something intriguing about the game,” her father continued, either oblivious to Orlando’s indifference or talking because of it.  “Tracking something that has the ability to outwit you is highly entertaining.  Of course, the hounds help.  Perhaps it’s not so fair to the fox, but the game isn’t really about catching the fox or killing it.  It’s about strategy, outwitting your opponent.  I suppose chess is the same way.” He chuckled.  “Maybe I like the game because it gets me out of the townhouse.  The fresh air is invigorating.  Thanks to Lord Hawkins, I was able to purchase a cottage.  Country air is so much better than London’s.”
    That was the second time Mr. Boyle mentioned Lord Hawkins.  Surely, he did it for a reason.  Didn’t he?
    Orlando straightened in his chair.  “This estate has been in my family for five generations.  Chloe has as much fresh air as she needs out here.”
    By the expression on her father’s face, Orlando could tell he hadn’t expected Orlando to mention that Chloe might benefit from something in her marriage to him.  And it was in that instance Orlando knew her father had brought Lord Hawkins’ name up because he wasn’t happy Orlando had married his daughter.
    This little fact didn’t surprise Orlando.  He was sure if he were in her father’s shoes, he’d be hesitant to welcome a son-in-law who’d eloped with his daughter, especially so soon after her first husband died.  It was a scandal, and no one wanted their daughter involved in a scandal.
    “Mr. Boyle,” Orlando began, setting his glass aside, “I assure you my intention isn’t to make things difficult for your daughter or your family.  That’s why Chloe and I won’t be returning to London until next Season.  By then, the Ton should have something else to talk about.”
    “The Ton thinks Chloe is at my cottage mourning the death of Lord Hawkins.”
    Orlando’s eyebrows furrowed.  “How is that possible?”
    “Chloe’s mother and I have used the utmost discretion in the matter.” He drummed his fingers on his armchair as if debating something within himself.  Then, after a long moment, he said, “I wasn’t going to bring up this topic.  Chloe’s mother is with her now discussing it.  But since you mentioned not wanting to make things difficult for Chloe, perhaps I may appeal to you as a gentleman.”
    “What’s on your mind?” Orlando slowly asked.
    “It would be in bad form if you and Chloe were to return to London as a married couple.  She’s so recently widowed, as you know.  An elopement is distasteful enough.  If you added a rushed marriage to that, things could get very difficult for her.  When I arranged her marriage to Lord Hawkins, I chose him because of his reputation.”
    “I thought it was his lavish wealth that made you pick him,” Orlando interrupted before he had time to consider whether or not it was wise to do so.
    Her father sharply inhaled, and Orlando knew he’d struck a nerve.  “The money helped, I won’t deny it.  My son, Alexander, is a sickly child, and we were in need of a good physician.”
    “Was that the excuse you used to make her consent to the match?”
    Again, the words flew out of his mouth, and Orlando criticized himself for acting this way.  He needed to speak less and listen more.  He’d tell Toby to do that very thing if Toby had been so bold in his speech.  He didn’t realize how much it’d bothered him her father had rushed her into her marriage with Lord Hawkins.  He could have been married to her for a year now if her father hadn’t intervened, and more than that, her father