The Noble's Regret, Too Late For Love

Synopsis

Plainness had been my lot in life. With no beauty to recommend me, I'd done the practical thing: bought myself a handsome convict for a husband. The man, however, had always thought himself above his station. He'd found me coarse and unrefined, preferring the backbreaking work of a farmhand to the comforts of being a spouse. When his name was suddenly cleared, he didn't hesitate for a moment. He climbed onto the carriage bound for the capital without so much as a backward glance. Before leaving, though, he'd turned to offer a final, cutting piece of advice. "Mary Rivers, a butcher would be your proper match. Someone more suited to your lowly status." I'd always believed educated men knew best. Taking his words to heart, I accepted the butcher's proposal. As a bridal gift, he gave me a generous half-side of beef. But on our wedding night, as the candles burned low, it was not the butcher who lifted my veil. A familiar face stared back at me, twisted with rage. "Who in heaven's name told you to marry?" he snarled.