A Season for Love (Completed)

Chapter 2. 1812

James dismounted his horse after taking him for a ride into London, gave him to the groom, and walked into his home. Norfolk Manor was quiet, a little too quiet for his taste. Usually Melinda would be wanting to see him, waiting for him in the parlor. But of course, that had been in the first three months of their marriage. The first three months of which he thought she loved him as he loved her. But over the last five months, he noticed she had become distant, not showing him any affection.

Loud moaning suddenly came to his ears, and James felt his heart sank. Moving quickly up the stairs, he rushed to his chamber that he shared with his wife, opened the door, and froze. He felt his eyes go wide, his mouth drop to the floor as he saw what was before him.

Melinda was lying on her back, naked, her dark brown curls cascading along the pillow. She was smiling up at the man who was making love to her. And that man was none other than George Churchhill, the Duke of Cornwall.

James stood frozen for what seemed like an eternity, before he snapped. He threw himself at George, knocking him to the floor and pinning him down. "What the bloody hell are you doing in here?"

George growled, pushing James away. "For your information Norfolk, I have just come back from ruining the young lady who was going to be my bride, or who could have been my bride, but now she's not. Besides, your wife is the one I love and want her to be mine."

James turned his flashing dark green eyes on Melinda. "So this is the man you've been sleeping with behind my back for the last eight months?"

Melinda rolled her hazel eyes. "Yes, George is the man I've been sleeping with. He is much better of a lover compared to you James. He is passionate and wild and rough, just how I like it. You on the other hand want to make love with your heart and your body, which I find rather boring."

James felt as if he had been punched in the gut and the heart. Melinda didn't love him as he suspected. Straightening his shoulders, he glared at the two of them. "I want you both out of this house immediately. Melinda, I want an annulment."

Melinda. "I was going to ask you for one anyway, I don't love you and it's obvious you don't love me. We don't have any children together, so what's the point of still being married?"

James growled viciously. "Then get dressed and get the hell out of my house! Both of you!"

George and Melinda quickly got dressed and left Norfolk Manor. They smiled at each other as they climbed into the waiting carriage that George had brought with him, settling inside and driving away. Finally, they could be together and have as many children as they desired. And as much wild and passionate lovemaking as they wished.

James went into his office, slamming the door shut and leaning against it. Sinking  down to the floor, he buried his face into his hands and  began to cry. Here he believed he was going to be loved by Melinda, to have a family with her. But he had been used, his heart torn into pieces by this terrible and unthinkable act of betrayal. He had no idea whether he was going to be loved by anyone. He wasn't sure if he could love anyone else because of that broken trust. Collecting his emotions after a few minutes, he stood up and walked over to the decanter by the window, pouring himself a glass of port. He was hoping and praying that the following social season was going to be much more promising.

After he finished his drink, and his nerves went back to normal, James decided it was time to go to bed. But instead of going to his chambers, he went into an empty guest chamber, not wanting to sleep in the same bed that he had shared with his wife. The same wife that had shared the same bed with the Duke of Cornwall. Shaking his head and removing his clothing until he was only wearing his briefs, he climbed into bed and snuggled beneath the covers. Closing his eyes, he fell into a restless sleep.