The Blackmailed Bride

Marcus said nothing for several moments. Nick stared at the mantel clock and tried to convince himself he wasn’t personally interested in what Olivia had to say. Other than for the sake of his friend, of course.

“She has not refused him,” Nick said for Marcus. The nod of acknowledgment from his friend was unnecessary.

It was inconceivable. Nick couldn’t reconcile the headstrong, viscount-disabling woman he’d met with someone naive enough to fall for Finley’s guiles.

“Did you explain your position on the matter to her?” Nick asked.

Marcus nodded again. “For my life, I can’t understand why she won’t listen to me. But, as I’m sure you’ll agree, I can’t allow the two of them to wed. It would be disastrous.”

A large understatement.

“He’s a snake in the grass,” Nick agreed.

And Nick knew both he and Marcus were thinking about an earlier incident involving Finley. When the three of them had been away at school, Finley had seduced a professor’s daughter. When everyone discovered she was with child, Finley refused to marry the young woman, even though the protection of his name was the one thing that would save her from public ruin.

Finley’s father had been prepared, those years ago, to force his son’s hand. Unfortunately for the young girl and her child, the elder baron died in his sleep before he could do so.

An attack of the heart, they said.

And no amount of persuasion from the professor or tearful pleas from his daughter could change Finley’s mind. He’d left the woman, alone and ruined, and didn’t appear to feel the slightest pang of remorse.

No, Olivia couldn’t be allowed to wed someone who would treat a woman so callously, who would most likely not be faithful to his marriage vows, who enjoyed spirits and questionable amusements far too much.

“I attempted to remove her to London after Finley broached the subject of their marrying. I’d hoped the distance would hinder him,” Marcus said into the silence.

“But he followed you instead,” Nick finished. “That was why you agreed so quickly to leave London when you learned that he had called upon Olivia there.”

A curt nod was Marcus’s reply.

“Why is he so willing to garner your displeasure? I can’t believe he loves her—simply because I don’t believe him capable of the emotion.”

“I have to agree,” Marcus said. “My guess is Olivia’s dowry is the reason for the dogged pursuit. My sister has much to recommend her, of course, but I’ve heard Finley’s been liberal with the funds his father left for him.”

Money. Of course that would be the baron’s motivation. But what about Olivia? What reason would she have to want to marry him?

“What foolishness has possessed her?” Nick ranted aloud. “Why would she want to be married to a wastrel of a man who will eventually break her heart?” Nick knew his fury was out of place. Why should he care if Lady Olivia was determined to ruin the rest of her life? But he did care. More than he was going to admit.

“Olivia and Finley have known each other for years,” Marcus explained. “After our mother…” He paused for a moment. “Once mother passed away, Finley was very attentive to her. More so than I was, I’m ashamed to admit.”