Captain Amberton's Inherited Bride (Whitby Weddings 2)

‘At least it means you’re free to marry Violet.’

‘Oh, stop being so pig-headed.’ Arthur stretched out a foot to kick his good leg. ‘She’s your wife!’

‘Barely.’

‘Meaning what?’

‘Meaning we only went to bed once.’ Lance cleared his throat self-consciously. ‘Last night, in fact.’

Arthur’s eyebrows arched upwards. ‘She said you’ve been married for two months.’

‘We have.’

‘But you only just took her to bed?’

‘Yes.’

‘Don’t you find her attractive?’

‘Of course I do! But she’s not like all the others. She’s different. And I made her a promise. I wasn’t going to touch her for seven years, only...things changed. I changed. Last night, I told her everything about my past. I told her the worst things about myself and she didn’t hate me. She said she didn’t want to wait seven years and neither did I. For the first time since I was shot, I thought that maybe I could move on from the past and be happy again.’

‘And were you? Happy, that is, before I arrived?’

‘Yes, but that doesn’t mean I’m not happy to see you, too.’

‘I know that, but let me get this clear. You were happy. She was happy. You slept together. But now you want her to get a divorce and marry me?’

‘It’s not about what I want.’

‘Just stop and think for a moment, Lance. Father wasn’t right about you and fulfilling his wishes now won’t fix the past. It’ll only ruin the future and make all three of us unhappy.’

‘She deserves somebody better.’

‘She deserves somebody who loves her—and don’t pretend that you don’t. I said so before and you didn’t deny it.’

Lance drew in a long breath and then released it through his teeth. ‘What if I do love her? I just as good as told her I didn’t. I made her think it was all about the money.’

‘Which is why you need to go upstairs and tell her how you really feel. Right now, before she goes back to Whitby and starts divorce proceedings. Don’t make the same mistake Father did, keeping your feelings to yourself. You won’t help anyone by turning into him. Tell her how you feel and get on with your life. Do it for me, if you won’t for yourself.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean that I enjoyed my life at sea. It’s what I want, or something like it anyway. I’ve no intention of staying here, birthright or not, and I’m certainly not going to be bullied into marrying anyone. I might not have stood up to Father, but I can stand up to you.’

Lance climbed to his feet, facing his brother head-on. Arthur looked different, he realised—bigger, stronger and more resolute. For the first time in their lives, he made him feel like the younger brother.

‘I still won’t take your inheritance. The house is yours.’

‘Then look after it for me.’

‘Arthur...’

‘No. You didn’t do the last thing I asked of you. If you truly want to make amends, then you can do this instead. Look after the house and estate for me. Call yourself a steward if you like, but for pity’s sake, go and apologise to your wife.’

The sound of a gasp, followed by a distinctly unladylike exclamation of astonishment, made them both turn around. Mrs Gargrave was standing in the drawing-room doorway, looking between them with an expression of abject horror.

‘I’m not a ghost!’ Arthur raised his hands quickly.

‘You’re alive?’