Chapter 3 A Deal with Devastation

"I do love you, with all of my heart, Dorian, but I can't marry you," Aubrielle repeated quietly and stiffened as shards of pain speared through her heart. "Lord Evercroft will be my husband."

Dorian saw her look away and avoided his eyes. At that moment, he knew something was amiss. He already questioned a man like Evercroft rushing to the altar. What he knew of the unrepentantly immoral nobleman led him to believe the man wouldn't be led anywhere unless forced.

He also knew her well enough to question the nervousness he observed. She was never good at hiding deceit. He saw through her efforts to sidestep whatever means Rafael used to leg-shackle Evercroft.

The Marquis of Evercroft embraced his free-living. He shocked society with his penchant for doing as he pleased, with whomever he pleased. He disdained marriage and all it stood for. He wouldn't just up and offer for a meager baronet's daughter, one with no dowry, and in such a hasty manner.

No, the man certainly didn't want or need a wife to interfere with his sordid lifestyle. The thought of Aubrielle going to the notorious nobleman tormented him in those moments, mindful of the lurid gossip surrounding him. The rumors of illicit orgies came to mind, making him cringe to think of her going to such a reprehensible man.

No, a man like the Marquis of Evercroft didn't just toss aside years of decadence to marry a young woman like Aubrielle, with no fortune, title, or background. The marquis was almost twice her age. The man avoided girls like Aubrielle as one would the plague.

Ladies ran in the opposite direction of the disreputable nobleman. Wealthy though he was, most thought it not worth their reputations to go anywhere near the man. He was not above ruining any female who crossed his path and did, with a frequency that earned him countless challenges to duels over the years.

No, Evercroft wasn't at all the marrying kind.

Dorian smelled a rat in this. He could be sure Rafael was up to his foul tricks once more. The man was not above using his own sister to line his pockets. He could be assured money was at the source of the offer the marquis made for Aubrielle.

"What have you done, Aubrielle?" Dorian demanded angrily. "Don't lie of it! I'm no fool! We both know a man like Evercroft is well out of your league!"

"I did what needed to be done." A raw sob of agony escaped her clenched lips. She closed her eyes, trembling under his fierce stare. The voices mocked her desire to collapse into his arms and confess everything. Don't tell him! Don't do it!

Dorian stared at her, taking an unsteady step backward. Comprehension dawned as his dark eyes widened. He paled in livid outrage. "You went to the man's bed, didn't you? How... could... you... do... such a thing?"

"It was the only way," Aubrielle confessed in a devastated whisper, looking away, unable to see how her words affected him. "I'm so sorry, Dorian. Rafael wanted an agreement from the Marquis before we left London. You know he always gets his way in things."

"So he tossed you into Evercroft's bed to get it?" Dorian looked at her in fury, a sneer about his lips. "That handles matters rather nicely. It's very direct and to the point; cutting through anything close to a respectable courtship. I went about mine the wrong way, I see."

"It wasn't like that at all, Dorian," Aubrielle whispered in a tortured voice. "Please, don't look at me like that. Rafael got Lord Evercroft into his cups. He drugged his wine. He didn't touch me; I swear it. He only thinks he's compromised me."

"How do you expect me to feel about this, Aubrielle?" Dorian regarded her with incredulity. "You would go along with forcing the man? And all to extort him for funds? What were you thinking? Are you completely mad?"

"How do you propose to support a wife, Dorian? Lady Gale makes her gowns from the old draperies in the salon. You steal food at every ball you attend to feed you both. Do you wish to see us die of starvation before you see the truth of things?"

Dorian glared down at her, his pride rearing up. "Don't seek to justify what you're doing! We talk about you here, not I! It's wrong what you're doing!"

"I'm marrying Lord Evercroft." She stepped away, sensing his growing rage. "When you calm down and see reason; you will see it's for the best."

"It's best only for your brother, Aubrielle!" Dorian looked ready to go find Rafael at that moment and drag him from his bed. "Don't do this!"

"Lord Evercroft thinks he's compromised me," Aubrielle repeated softly, her nails digging into her palms. "Threats of being sued made him agree to Rafael's terms. He insisted the marriage take place at once."

"You deceived the man! He had no bloody choice in this from what I can see!"

"I'm the one with no choice!" Tears escaped her eyes in a torrent, streaming down her cheeks in hot rivulets. "I won't see my brother dead when there is a means to solve everything. I won't see you lose your estate. Don't make me feel worse than I already do."

"What you do here is more than wrong, Aubrielle! It's truly despicable! It's unlike you at all. Whatever the problems, we will deal with them. Don't do this or you will live to regret it all," Dorian told her urgently. "I have a mind to go to the blasted man and tell him the truth!"

"You cannot! Please, Dorian! Think of both our families. If you care for me at all, you will say nothing. Why should they be punished for our mistake?"

"A mistake, you say?" His indrawn gasp made her chest clench. "You see our being together as a mistake? You gave yourself to me! You pledged to love me forever! Do you deny that now? Did it mean nothing to you?"

Aubrielle could see she hurt him. She had to. He must marry the wealthy merchant's daughter, and soon. She raised her chin and met his gaze, determined he would accept her decision.

Those hated voices pushed at her, prodding her now. Don't tell him! Send him away before it's too late! There was no other way. If he would hate her, so be it. Pain clenched at her heart to see his devastated expression.

"It was a mistake for us to become lovers with no real promises between us, Dorian. We had no right to act upon our feelings as we did, thinking all would end as we wished. It will be rectified when I marry Lord Evercroft."