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Lynch and Mrs. Parker muttering?

As if compelled by some unseen force, the unmade bed drew his attention. There in the center, like an unholy beacon, a blemish marred the mattress.

Blast and damn.

Regret swirled in his gut. He swung his gaze to Vangie.

She continued to study the carpet.

He looked to Emma, and she glared at him, accusation and condemnation in her eyes. Pursing her lips, she dipped her gaze to her mistress’ hair once more.

The unfamiliar heat of a flush stole across Ian’s face. It would seem the whole staff thought he was a monstrous beast. An ugly thought intruded.

Did they think he’d forced himself on Vangie? He couldn’t very well assemble the staff and explain otherwise. Humiliated at the notion, he ran a finger around the front of his neckcloth. He’d cleaned up the mess on the floor to still any gossip, but he hadn’t considered that. His gaze flicked to the bed. There was nothing for it then. Let them think what they would.

He caressed Vangie with his gaze. It was what she thought that mattered. “Emma, please go below, and ask Mrs. Plumperbuns to prepare a basket for our journey.”

“Yes, my lord. Just one more curl to pin.” Securing the last strand, Emma met Vangie’s eyes in the mirror. “You look lovely, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

Emma dipped a quick curtsy, mumbling a belligerent, “My lord,” before hurrying from the room.

Feeling as awkward as a lad in short pants, instead of an experienced man of the world, Ian approached his wife. “Are you? Did I?” Finally, heaving a frustrated sigh, he grasped her hands and drew her to her feet. “I’m sorry, sweeting. I tried to be gentle. If I’d known you were an innocent…”

Raising her head, Vangie met his eyes. Undisguised melancholy lingered in hers. She attempted a smile, though her lower lip quivered the merest bit. “I’m fine. Please, don’t concern yourself. It’s the way of nature, as God intended.”

Guilt and remorse battered Ian’s ribs. His sweet bride was reassuring him, again, when she was the injured party. He was only now beginning to realize how blessed, rather than cursed, he was at having taken her to wife.

So why had Lucinda and Charlotte done their utmost to tarnish Vangie’s character to him? Why had they been eager to see him depart for London to defend the family’s honor?

He clamped his teeth until they threatened to crack. What an ironic twist of fate. Vangie wasn’t the villain in this marriage. He was.