Every Time We Kiss

“Jennette, I’ve spent the past fortnight attempting to integrate myself back into the folds of the ton. Only to be rejected on every front. I need a wife.”

“A wealthy wife,” she added in a sarcastic tone.

Matthew clenched his fists against the columns. “Yes,” he bit out. “I need a wealthy wife and a respectable wife. Someone who can elevate my reputation.”

“Well, it won’t be me.” She ducked under his arm and moved toward the bench.

“I’ve tried everything I can think of. If I don’t marry quickly my tenants will be removed from the land, my property sold, and I’ll be even more ruined.”

She bit her lip. “You ask too much,” she whispered, stari

ng at her hands.

“I know.” Even that realization didn’t stop him from pursuing her. “But you owe me this, Jennette.”

“I know that, too.” Her gaze remained locked on her hands. “I can’t marry you, Matthew. I just couldn’t live with the memories of what happened.”

Matthew paced the small confines of the pergola. This was not going the way he’d expected. They were only supposed to talk and yet, now that he’d started this ridiculous conversation, he couldn’t stop it. Marrying her had never crossed his mind until he blurted the words out.

“Marry me or I’ll walk into that ballroom and tell everyone the truth.”

He cringed seeing the expression of shock cross her face. He couldn’t believe he had said that to her. What was it about her that brought out all the stupidity in him? The one glass of brandy he’d had before the ball couldn’t be the culprit. The urge to flee this scene grew. He should leave her alone, find another way to solve his problems. That was for the best.

But he couldn’t let go.

“You wouldn’t really do that, would you? If you did, there would be another inquest. You can’t possibly want that.” She moved slightly as if to run once more. Instead, she held her ground and stared at him. “What would John think of you?”

“John’s dead, Jennette.”

“I know that,” she hissed.

“But do you really want everyone in the ballroom to know you killed him?”

Chapter 3

Jennette gasped and stared at the cad in front of her. No one would believe him, she reasoned. Matthew had admitted to accidentally killing John. By doing so, he had protected her name and her family’s reputation. And he’d lost his. He left Society and became an outcast…all for her.

But if he suddenly changed his story, no one would trust him. They would think he was trying to place the blame on her to clear his name.

Yet, even as she tried to rationalize things, her guilt assailed her. The reason he could not find a bride had nothing to do with his finances and everything to do with a reputation he didn’t deserve. A reputation she had given him by letting John beg him to save her name.

If she had only stood up for herself back then. She knew now that if she’d taken the responsibility, the most likely outcome would have been sympathy for what had happened. Eventually, her reputation would have healed.

But now?

If people believed his story, she would be far more ruined than he ever was because everyone would hate her for not stepping forward five years ago. And worse, her actions would reflect poorly on her mother’s name, and Avis and Banning’s, too. All because of her.

This was all her fault. She never should have let him take the blame for her.

She had to find a way to help him. Marrying him was out of the question. His father and brother had gambled the family fortune away. No matter how much guilt she felt over what happened that day, she would never marry a fortune hunter and a gambler. Marrying Matthew would give him full control over her money so he could spend it all at the gaming hells. She would never let that happen.

Still, the guilt she felt over what she had done to both men would never leave her. There had to be some way she could assist him without marrying him.

A bride.

A wealthy bride was all he was after. There was no reason it had to be her.

Finally, she looked up at him. “I cannot marry you, Matthew. But perhaps I can help you in another way.”