Wedding Night Revenge Read Online Free PDF

us all. It would have done me no favours in the city to have contested such a controversial case. And your reputation, miss, would have never recovered from being dragged through such mire. Instead, he took unwarranted humiliation on himself and spared you. He suffered unwarranted financial losses and spared me. The Major was greatly out-of- pocket from his own expenses, yet refused any recompense I offered. I even had to insist he take back your betrothal ring!
    He wanted nothing, not even that to which he was perfectly entitled!'
    Gloria Meredith shot up from the table as her husband's voice quavered with barely suppressed pain and anger. An unsteady hand was held out cautioning Edgar, the other extended, palm up, appealing to her white-faced eldest daughter. 'Enough! Let's not quarrel. How silly this has all been. I believe it was a foolish thing to do, my dear,' she tentatively put to her husband. 'Our intentions were good: healing rifts and finally putting the tragedy behind us is what we wanted. Yet, in truth, it is achieving nought but breaking open the scar. The Major...Lord Devane,' she corrected herself on a tiny, forced smile,
    'manages to act decorously at all times, yet we find ourselves unable to do ought but bicker amongst ourselves. Let's not make him out too much of the hero in this.'
    'Yes, let's not.' Rachel clipped out coldly. For a moment or two she and her father faced each other in a hostile, combative silence that was eventually brought to a close when the library door was opened.
    June and William entered, laughing. After a few paces, they hesitated, their similar expressions frozen into mask-like smiles, as they both sensed the tension within the room. Recovering her composure, June, who was barely five feet in height but supple as a sapling, threaded her tiny hand through her fiance's brawny arm, .and bravely proceeded to haul his tall, sturdy frame into the library, a sunny smile re-animating her sweet, heart-shaped countenance.
    'Ah, there you are, June; come in...come in!' Mrs Meredith greeted them with such a wealth of welcome and gratitude in her voice, her third daughter might have recently returned from overseas instead of across the street where she and William had been visiting friendly neighbours. 'How are you, William?' she demanded. 'It will be good to see your parents at their musicale later this week. It's a while since I spoke to them. Your mama and I must catch up on how preparations proceed for the big day...' In her haste to say something, anything, to ease the atmosphere, Gloria had forgotten that she disliked her daughter's prospective mother-in-law. Since their betrothal, she had gained the impression that Pamela Pemberton deemed June*way below her son's social station, and that she fully expected any preparations made by the Merediths for William's wedding would be found sadly lacking in grandeur.
    Thankfully, William's sincere devotion to his betrothed proved he was at odds with his mother. He worshipped the ground that June tripped upon, treating her with affectionate reverence, and on visiting Windrush, venue of their marriage, he had been delighted with the place, claiming that, in all things, he was a very fortunate man.
    And indeed he was. By anyone's standards, June was exceedingly fine in looks and character; and no expense had been spared in ensuring the wedding celebration would befit the union of two wealthy families. It would be a day to remember. Rachel and everyone had said so...and so it must be...
    Besides, why accept the role of underdog? Mr Meredith could boast a city salary comparable to, if not slightly in excess of, Alexander Pemberton's income . from his law practice. Thus Gloria was of a mind that the Pembertons had nothing to feel superior about. Perhaps Pamela could lay claim to a distant ducal connection, but it was so far removed as to be utterly worthless. With a wry, private smile, Gloria recalled her sweet Rachel saucily airing that opinion direct