To Wed A Rebel. Sophie Dash
picture. He could only imagine his great-aunt’s face, her fury, as gossip spread and Isaac was firmly established as a rogue, a rake, a scoundrel.
“The family name is under threat due to your actions.”
“And this is my punishment?”
“This is your duty, Isaac,” persisted Sebastian.
And Isaac knew, with utmost certainty, that the man was right – not that it changed anything.
“Whatever match my great-aunt is thinking on making, the Osbourne girl is better off without me.”
Isn’t everyone?
The woman had suffered enough without pledging her life to him – and Isaac had vowed never to marry. He had seen, first-hand, what such a union could do when it was broken. It was better to have a different body to warm his bed each night. Less risk, less pain. Love was for fools and love created fools. He had lost too much in his life to ever lose his heart as well.
And, as far as everyone knew, he had no heart.
“She’ll be destitute without you, cut off entirely – as will you.”
“What?” The beer held Isaac’s focus no longer as his eyes snapped upwards and onto Sebastian’s.
“There will be no more funds, no financial support, unless you marry the poor wretch.”
“Fine,” he shot back. “I can survive on my own.”
Better to be alone – it’s safer that way.
“The woman you wronged cannot.”
“She wants nothing to do with me and for good reason.”
“It does not matter what she wants. The wedding has already been arranged a week from now, and I have been assured that Miss Osbourne will co-operate.”
Surprise slackened Isaac’s features and smoothed away the hard lines. “She will?”
It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything, he reminded himself, though he struggled to believe it.
“What choice does she have? She’s alone, her betrothed has found another, her uncle has disowned her and she’s been shunned by all London society. And, more’s the pity, her last hopes rest on you.”
“Then she is doomed.” And he’d doomed her. He’d done this. Ruth. Guilt had hollowed out his chest and filled the cavity with lead. The girl would co-operate? That could mean anything. It doesn’t mean she’s forgiven me. “If I don’t agree to this marriage, I will be destitute?”
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