Devil Who Tamed Her

Chapter One It was quite a distinction to be the most beautiful and desirable debutante to join the marriage mart in a century, and also be the most hated woman in England. Oddly enough, Ophelia Reid had strived for that distinction, on both counts. It was her bane to be so beautiful that people behaved like utter fools around her. The people gathered at Summers Glade, the Marquis of Birmingdale's country estate, were no different. Ophelia stopped at the top of the grand staircase. She'd hoped the foyer would be empty, but no such luck. It appeared that many of the people who had come for her wedding to the marquis's heir weregathered below, some who were, apparently, already aware that the wedding had been called off and were preparing to leave. Others appeared confused and were talking excitedly. But the moment she appeared, all eyes turned to her, and as usual the whispering began. It might appear to the people below that she was making a grand entrance. She was rather fond of doing so and was quite practiced at it. But not this time. A grand exit was more like it, though not by her choice. She hadhopedto leave unnoticed. "When are you going to tell me what happened?" asked her maid, Sadie O'Donald, who was beside her. "I'm not," Ophelia said stiffly. "But you were supposed to get married today." As if Ophelia could have overlooked that appalling fact. But now wasn't the time to discuss it. "Hush, we have an audience if you hadn't noticed." Sadie said no more as she followed Ophelia down the stairs. The whisperinggrew louder. Ophelia even caught a few bits and pieces of conversations. "First they're engaged, then they're not, then they are again, and now they've changed their minds yet again. She's too fickle, if you ask me." "The groom said it was a mutual decision to cancel the wedding." "I doubt it, she's just hard to please, but I would be too if I looked likeher." "I agree. It's a sin to be that beautiful." "Careful, dear, your jealousy is showing." " -- spoiled rotten if you ask me." "Shh, she'll hear you. She has a viper's tongue, you know. You don't want her turning it on you." "Good God, she's beautiful. An angel, a -- " " -- back on the marriage block. Don't mind saying how delighted I am. Gives me a second chance." "I thought she turned you down before the Season even began." "Me and countless others, but we didn't know she was already engaged toMacTavish." "Don't waste your time. Your title isn't grand enough for her. She could have a king if she set her cap for one." "Surprised her parents didn't aspire to that. They're appalling social climbers, you know." "And she isn't?" "She just turned down the marquis's heir, what does that tell you?" "That her parents are going to be furious with her, as they were when -- " "Now Locke there might stand a chance as the next Duke of Norford. Surprised to see him back in England." "He's not interested in getting married, or did you never hear that he leftEngland just to get away from all those marriage-minded -- " Ophelia pretended that she hadn't heard any of those whispers, but the mention of Raphael Locke, Viscount Lynnfield, made her look at him. She'd known he was there in the foyer bidding some of his acquaintances good-bye, or possibly leaving as well. He was the first person she'd noticed when she reached the stairs. But then a man as handsome as the Norford heir had drawn her notice from the moment she'd first glanced at him. She'd even considered him briefly for a husband, before she'd gotten reengaged to Duncan MacTavish. But Locke had obviously gone over to the enemycamp, the camp that thought the worst of her. What had he called her? A"spiteful rumormonger." He'd even threatened to ruin her if she told anyone she thought that he'd been bedding Sabrina Lambert. Shehadthought it was true. Why else was he paying so much attention to that little wren Sabrina?Lindsey, Johanna is the author of 'Devil Who Tamed Her', published 2008 under ISBN 9781416537311 and ISBN 1416537317.