The Wedding Deception (2 page)

The sound of that voice, rich, familiar, disconcerted her. Claire turned slowly, by a sense of fear. He knew it was the right address, it was the right house. And there was no doubt that this man was lord Fairhurst.

But while the modes, voice and appearance were similar to the man she had married in the church of Wiltshire, that gentleman charming and arrogant decidedly not her husband.

Jasper Fairhurst was frightened by the pallor of the unknown. Even the lips were colorless, and it was possible to notice your breathing changed. Her hands clutched the back of the chair so tightly that his knuckles were almost white. He thought of asking the girl to sit down, but changed his mind. I did not want to encourage her to stay in the house. That visit was an unexpected setback during the day is carefully planned. And Jasper did not like setbacks, especially important on a night like that.

- My butler will arrange a coach - said, reflecting that this would be the best way to get rid of the visitor. - In recognition of his perfect performance, I insist that transportation be by myself.

Jasper did statement calling the steward, but declined to see the girl sitting in the chair slowly that he had used as support. He kept his eyes downcast, fixed on the carpet, and his face was livid, upset by the expression of incredulity. He hesitated, trying not to be surprised by a more theatrical performance. But the anguish of the unknown seemed authentic. Jasper sighed audibly and somewhat counterfeit, closed the door and approached the visitor.

She lifted her head slowly, until both eyes meet.

- I have no where to go - he confessed quietly. - The only person I know in London is my aunt. It dismissed the coach after he left me here. At this point it should already be home.

- This is no problem, lady. The driver will leave the door of her aunt.

- I do not know her address.

Jasper bristled. That game would not end? His patience had reached its limit.

- If so, give orders to the coachman to drive her to an inn. - Raising an eyebrow, did not resist the temptation to add: - Or just go directly to the Drury Lane?

- I'm not an actress! - Claire protested indignantly.

Jasper's reaction surprised and elated, despite the inconvenience it caused this young woman for the first time he watched her with eyes of men. She was tall and too thin for the pattern that he liked, and his face was thin and had bad taste in dress, both in choice of color and the quality of the clothes. While this might be intentional, if the intention was to play the role of simple girl.

Moreover, its color was beautiful and harmonious, with white skin, auburn hair and blue eyes. Jasper noticed the lips, which seemed ready to be kissed. The heavy traveling cloak not hide your figure and curvaceous breasts. It was a lady endowed with many charms, but that seemed to have no awareness of their femininity. He chided himself intimately. There should be looking at the woman's body. It seemed to her lack of respect and rudeness, not only for that poor creature, but mainly for sweet Rebecca, the lovely young woman who would soon be his bride. Such behavior was reminiscent of the old Jasper, the young rebel who had gone an unfortunate way through the salons of society, gambling houses and brothels of London. A stubborn and irresponsible boy who always mocked the public and conventions. The more outrageous and scandalous deed, the greater its determination to implement it.

He lived a young passionate and dangerous. This type of unruly behavior was almost expected from a Barrington. Not infrequently, Jasper thought that society would be disappointed if he had not been a reckless young man, if he had not provided snoops and matrons gossip moral issue for comment.

For years, not known what it was entering a dance hall without hearing muffled babble of tongues or disapproving outraged exclamations. The tone of voices had increased considerably as heads turned to watch him, each hoping to witness the latest scandalous episode in which he would become involved.

Jasper was the result of a couple of weird and wacky labeled by a narrow and rigid society. His family, of noble lineage and the owner of a vast fortune, and always protected him, knowing this, he became even more cynical and dangerous. Her older sister, Meredith, was virtually ignored by society until she married the Marquis de unexpectedly with Dardington. With support from the father, the Duke of Warwick, slowly, Meredith was captivating and taming the most Puritan matrons and uncompromising in London.

It was the wedding of Meredith who opened the eyes of Jasper to the possibility of change. He held the title of Viscount and, as heir of his father, a day would be the Earl of Stafford.

Taking seriously this responsibility, decided that his mission was to restore the integrity of the family name. Would show the harsh critics that knew the rules that governed the society and was willing to follow them strictly. Had succeeded in its purpose. Over the years, managed to erase the memories of the past, replacing them with attitudes and correct and appropriate. The culmination of their plans was about to be achieved: to marry a demure young woman, the kind he always scorned in the past.

He imagined that this was the reason for the joke by friends. A woman who posed as his wife was not only incompatible with their status. It was a real disaster. Under the shade of the interior simple girl, was all that Jasper wanted to avoid. He checked the time on the clock on the mantelpiece. Should have been bathing. However, he was still grappling with that actor, owner of a magnificent pair of breasts.

- Looks like we're at an impasse, my lady. We both know that is not my wife. If you tell me how you got here, we may terminate this visit in a friendly way. The young man raised his head and bit her lower lip, before you defend:

- I'm not an actress - he repeated firmly. Her talent was remarkable.

- Okay. You're not a professional actress, but a woman willing to honestly earn a few bucks. 'm Not judging, milady, but I'm losing patience. If you do not leave home willingly, I will take it by force.

- My lord would not dare.

She looked at him with a defiant glare in his eyes, a reaction that surprised Jasper, because he expected a more dramatic scene.

- This is my home. And I dare to do what it wants.

- I did nothing wrong. Nothing. I do not understand what happened. Angered by the situation absurd, Jasper began to walk around the room. Should I just throw her out of her house, but something in her attitude prevented him from doing so.

Backs to the door, he heard a faint rustle of skirts. Someone else entered the room. Another woman claiming to be his wife, perhaps? Or perhaps the author of the joke. Great if it were, what has been going on too. But when he turned, Jasper saw the newcomer was Meredith, who watched with surprise expression for the unknown.

- Excuse my intrusion, Jasper. Cook wants to consult him about a change in the menu. As a busy mom, I offered to settle the matter with you, but I see you have company.

Meredith always figure out the strong and continuous family, his voice always calm and common sense, until he takes that role. In her youth, she freed more hardships than Jasper could remember. And it bothered him greatly feel that even inadvertently got himself into awkward situations.

- Not a good time, Merry. Please tell the cook to talk about the menu later. It would be too much to hope that his sister leave the room quietly. Displeased, he saw her sitting in the armchair of brocade.

Meredith was a beautiful woman. The maturity and three children had not diminished her beauty and her charms. She wore a simple dress of pale green silk that matched her eyes and blond hair.

The visitor looked at Meredith with undisguised amazement, no doubt, admired for her beauty and sophistication. Meredith glanced interrogator's brother, looked back into the unknown, and again for him. Finally, he coughed softly.

- You're being unkind, dear brother. Please introduce me to his guest. Jasper pursed her lips. Could not avoid the inevitable, but did not even know the name of the stranger. Deep breath and announced:

- Milady, my sister, Meredith Morely, Gurney Dardington, expresses her desire to be presented. - Jasper turned to her sister. - Unfortunately I am unable to complete the presentations, because this young man here did not inform me your name or your surname.

Meredith frowned.

- It is a known relative of ours?

- No - Jasper replied. He reflected for a few seconds before adding: - Apparently, it's my wife.

There followed a moment of uncomfortable silence.

- How interesting! - Meredith said in a calm tone. - I must ask, was a sudden occurrence or you have kept the marriage a secret for long?

Jasper stared at the stranger, hoping that with this, she admitted the truth. But the girl remained silent, leaving the imperturbable countenance.

- This can only be a joke, Merry. In extremely bad taste, to be sure. Summers is my main suspect, but must also have the hand of Monteguy.

- What do you have beautiful friends, my brother.

Jasper shrugged. Over the years, he also modified his circle of friends, but many of his fellow young men were also privileged and powerful. It was impossible to avoid them and avoid the notion of humor sometimes ridiculous what they had.

- What would you do? - Meredith asked.

- I hope my wife to go away so I can resolve outstanding issues over dinner tonight. - He looked at Claire. - Although it will be an almost impossible task to convince her to leave this house.

Approaching, Jasper took his hand to help her get up.

The touch Claire took the torpor in which sunk. He pushed his hand and got up quickly.

- I will not go away until we clarify this mystery, my lord - told aloud. - My name is Claire Truscott Barrington, Lady Fairhurst. Or rather, Viscountess Fairhurst. And you're my husband. We got married three months ago, and the Rev. Clarkson performed the wedding in the church of Wiltshire.

- Lady ...

Claire raised her hand with authority and Jasper was silent.

- His birthday is on June 10 - she went in the same firm tone. - Her favorite color is green. His favorite food is chicken cooked-to-Angola, hates peas and not release a sweet after meals, including breakfast. He has a scar on her left wrist in a crescent shape. When he was eight years old, insisted on driving a cab and fell on a rock, seriously cutting his wrist.

Jasper stiffened. Claire went on talking, but he no longer heard her. Something very strange was happening. She set the date of his birthday, and although not his favorite dish, he liked the chicken-baked-Angola.

It was not crazy about sweets and even had a scar on his left wrist. But one person knew very well that fit that description perfectly: Jason, his twin brother.
Chapter II

Terrified, Jasper turned and found expression also astonished sister.

- My God - Meredith muttered. - This girl is married to Jason ... Claire realized exchanged looks of puzzlement by the brethren. Suddenly, he felt a twinge of satisfaction at seeing that the situation had changed. Jasper and his sister seemed really surprised and confused. After a brief conversation with Jasper, Meredith sat down and indicated a chair next to Claire. Jasper remained standing beside her sister.

Meredith straightened her skirts and looked at Claire with friendly look.

- Well, Claire. Can I call her Claire, no?

- Please.

The Marquise smiled.

- And you can call me Meredith. After all, we are struck. Claire took a deep breath and looked at Jasper. He forced a smile. Despite having insisted for nearly half an hour that the man was her husband, she began to doubt that was true. The situation was absurd, intriguing and frightening.

- Looks like you made a mistake, which is understandable, for not knowing all the facts - the Marchioness began. - Affirms that Jasper is her husband and he says he never saw her before that time. We believe that this should be dealing with some kind of joke.

- No, Lady Meredith. I assure you that this is not no joke.

- I fear that the victim is you play it, Claire.

- How so?

- My brother and I deduce that you really married a Barrington. Except that her husband forgot to mention it has a twin brother.

Claire was stunned by the news. He turned to Jasper, but when their eyes met, she hastened to avert their eyes. Never felt so embarrassed in her life. Twins! The explanation was simple and logical, but did not solve your situation.

- I had no idea that Jay had a twin brother. He rarely spoke of the family and when he spoke, was in general terms.

- Finally, you became convinced that I am not your Jay - Jasper joked. - And by the way, her husband's name is Jason.

Slowly, Claire leaned her head on the back of the chair. His face was burning, and for a moment, he felt completely disoriented. Jay, or rather, Jason, had a twin brother!

That startling revelation further complicated their situation.

- I can see that it was a great shock to you, Claire.

- It was, yes, Lady Meredith.

- Jason is still the same irresponsible as ever - Jasper said in angry tone of voice. - It only causes shame and dishonor to our family ...

- Just Jasper - ordered the marquise. Jasper did not argue.

- Need to talk to Jay. - Claire looked forward to Meredith.

- Jason is not home.

- He will return soon?

- God knows - Jasper said with irony. - I believe he did not even find in the city. It would be too much to hope that our brother appears to sort out the mess he created. He always leaves that task to others.

- Jasper! - Meredith scolded again.

- Sorry, did not want to be rude, but this girl is his responsibility, not mine. Anyway, some action must be taken. - Jasper took the watch from his waistcoat pocket and checked the time. - I have a huge list of matters that require my attention. You can, please fix this, Meredith?

Claire squirmed in his chair. It was horrible to feel rejected. I did not know this man and had no reason to care about his opinion, but the coldness with which he dispensed caused a painful sensation. On the other hand, was sure that the proud lord Fairhurst would change the tone of voice to know the whole truth.