With His Ring (Brides of Bath Book 2) by Cheryl Bolen Page B

on Glee's forearm.
"Don't be angry with him. He's only enjoying his last days as a
bachelor."
    Glee harrumphed, knowing he would continue
as a bachelor even after they wed. If they wed . "I shan't be
angry with Blanks. I only desire to return to the manor house in
order to prepare my trousseau."
    "But I thought there were several more
things you wished to purchase for it in Bath."
    Glee moved to leave the Pump Room. "I can
purchase those now, before we leave."
    * * *
    Before returning to the hotel, Glee
purchased a half dozen delicate night shifts. Once in her chambers,
she sat down to compose a letter to Blanks.
    My Dear Blanks,
    I hope you are not disappointed to learn I
have returned to Hornsby Manor to prepare for our wedding. My
mission in Bath was accomplished far sooner than I had
expected.
    I'm sorry to have missed you at the Pump
Room this morning but am looking forward to our wedding day, when I
will see you again at the chapel in Duncaster for the ceremony
which will make us man and wife.
    It is to be hoped you enjoy your waning days
of bachelorhood, though you and I both know those days do not have
to come to an end with our marriage.
    With love,
    Glee
    Signing the letter had taken a great deal of
thought. She thought of signing simply love , but did not
wish to scare him off. The same went for yours . She finally
deemed with love appropriate. It was something the sister of
his friend would sign—which, after all, was exactly what he
expected her to be. Nothing more. Also, it conveyed affection
without the possessiveness of your fiancé or all my
love .
    Satisfied, she sealed the letter and gave it
to a page to deliver to Blanks's lodgings.
    * * *
    It was well into afternoon when Gregory
awoke, cursing himself for having missed the morning meeting with
Glee at the Pump Room. No sooner was he awake than Stanley brought
him the note from Glee. Cursing as he read, he wadded it up and
threw it into the smoldering fire.
    "Hurry, Stanley, my clothes!"
    His valet quickly gathered up his master's
clothing, but by the time he returned, Gregory had fallen back into
his pillows. "Never mind. She's likely gone by now."
    Stanley murmured his apologies.
    "'Tis just as well," Gregory said. He bloody
well planned to do as Glee bid and thoroughly enjoy his remaining
days of bachelorhood. With no Carlotta. No Sheila. He didn't need
any women. He'd get his bloody fill of them—or one of them—soon
enough.
    He might even pop over to London, go to
Jackson's salon. For some reason, he wanted to pound something.
    "What day is it, Stanley?"
    "'Tis Thursday, sir."
    "No. I mean what is the date?"
    "It's the twenty-seventh day of
February."
    Blanks did the mental calculations. "Only
nineteen more days of freedom."
     

Chapter 9

    It was a dreary day, much like it had been
the day Glee's irrational act had forced Blanks to become betrothed
to her. Under stone gray skies she walked to the folly and sat upon
its marble bench to ponder her predicament. She had left Bath more
than two weeks ago and had not heard a word from Blanks since
then.
    She chided herself for not staying there,
but she had instinctively known Blanks needed total freedom the
last weeks of his bachelorhood. As she gazed around the barren
stone edifice where Blanks' fate had been sealed, she came to
realize he was not going to marry her after all.
    And it served her right. She had gone ahead
and thrust him into a marriage he wanted no part of. All of this
she had orchestrated, knowing full well that being married was
something he found onerous.
    That as a spurned bride she would be the
laughing stock of Bath caused her no concern whatsoever. That much,
she deserved. What really hurt was worrying about Blanks and the
eternal emptiness which he would now be unable to escape. His
perpetual quest for pleasure was merely a substitute for a
meaningful, loving relationship. Her own shattered dreams and the
unfulfilled love she had planned to lavish on Blanks caused