Baron of Blasphemy (Lords of Scandal 12)

“Dorset,” he answered. “Why are you upset again?”

She shrugged, still avoiding his gaze. “These are things I should know.”

Ah. That. “We’ll have the entire carriage ride today for you to learn what you need to know.”

“Will I be able to ask about your family?”

He drew in a long breath. This conversation got more tedious by the second. “If you must.”

She swallowed. “Where will we sleep tonight?”

“A coaching inn,” he answered. “Vanity will find us when the paperwork is completed. Let’s get something to eat, shall we?”

She gave a single nod as she walked out the church door with him.

No family waited to congratulate them after the most ridiculous ceremony ever performed.

And even a fool could see that his bride was unhappy.

Food wasn’t going to fix that.

The trouble was, he had no idea what would.

Chapter Eight

Vanity now rode outside with the driver, giving the new couple privacy.

Abigail set her chin on her fist as she pretended to look out the window. Privacy, indeed.

They’d yet to speak a word. She was privately thinking this morning had been a complete disaster.

The wedding had been a sham.

She looked down at her drab gown.

The marriage was a sham too.

Born of necessity without any pretension of happiness.

“Didn’t you have any more questions you want to ask me?” Chad’s voice rumbled from the other seat.

She did. But she was too lost in her own thoughts to remember. Giving her head a shake, she sat up straighter.

Last night she’d been determined to try and make him happy.

Drawing in a deep breath, she thought of her sisters. They were pains, Eliza and Isabella, but they also went to great lengths to see her cared for. Even when the situation was difficult.

That made Abigail wince. Had she returned that sort of love? Had she given to her sisters when times were harder?

She thought of her father again. What had he given all of them? Financial security. Yes. But he’d been so absent and even his love of her had created so much tension between her and her siblings. It had been selfish in its own way.

Who had she resembled of late? Her sisters or her father?

She squirmed in shame as she realized the answer. She’d wanted responsibility. Begged for it. But had she done anything to show she deserved it? Drat. She hadn’t.

Even her wedding. Had she made the most of it or complained? Her eyes drifted closed. She’d been a complete baby, she could see that. Her insides twisted in regret.

If she wanted to turn t