Wed by Proxy (Brides of Karadok, #1)

by Alice Coldbreath

“A widow twice over,” she reminded him quietly. She couldn’t really blame him. She’d never felt like a wife herself in anything but name. Hopefully that would all soon change. In a few short weeks she would face her current husband, Lord Martindale, in person. Then she would tell him, that she wanted to be wedded in truth, as well as lawfully.

“How is it that you know me, boy?” Firmin’s sharply indrawn breath showed how far he was acting out of character, but Guy did not break eye contact, and the boy gazed steadily back at him. “Because, my lord,” he whispered. “I am your wife.”

“It would serve you right,” he said coldly, “if I keep you prisoner here, until you give me a son.”

She had run away. To him. His mouth was dry. And he had not believed her. Cynic that he was, he had thought the whole story was a lie. He passed a shaking hand over his brow. “It is a wild tale, is it not?” said Tristan with such insightful sympathy that Guy flinched. “Have you been keeping her as your mistress this entire time?”