1 Chapter 1

" You may now kiss the bride" the priest said. Eleanor and Malcolm stood face to face, in a hall they didn't want to be and in a situation they didn't want either.

Eleanor saw her life flash before her eyes. Two weeks ago it was her sister, Adelaide, who was supposed to be in this mess not her! How did her life turn out like this? Two weeks ago she sat at the dining table, glaring daggers at the asshole sitting across from her, and thanking the lord that she wasn't the one stuck with him.

Then her sister just had to run away the morning of the wedding, and she, poor soul, was made to wear the dress to save the face of the Wright family and hers.

A few hours ago, when her sister didn't show up and instead left a note saying that 'she would rather die than to give her freedom to love away', Eleanor was sure that their mother would find a way to solve the problem. After all, their mother was one to stay calm and think of a solution, whereas their father was one to panic and run. Her mother was the smart one in the relationship, and she looked up to her for that.

What she didn't expect however, was for her mother to grab the dress and toss it at her. She looked between the dress and her mother, dreading what she would tell her, " Mother? What is this?" She asked quietly.

Mrs Moore gave her a hard look, " I believe you're smarter than that question, Eleanora" the older woman had said and gave her a silent pleading look before exiting the room.

Eleanor looked towards the crowd, to the place where her mother sat, the older woman stared deeply in her eyes. A look that told her to just grit her teeth and get it over with.

Malcolm turned her face towards his and raised the veil over her face, then he leaned in a little and whispered to her, " bare with me M'lady", and kissed her.

Eleanor had the urge to kick him in the shin, but held back and pulled away quickly. The crowd below them erupted in cheers and applause. Malcolm licked his lips and smiled mockingly in her face.

She wanted to scream bloody murder and push him down the altar stairs, but instead she pulled on her professional smile, facing the crowd.

After the wedding was the reception, which was more of an event for the rich to gain connections than a wedding reception.

Eleanor's feet burned from walking around. She was wearing a dress and shoes that were a little small for her, and in a hall filled with people she didn't even know. She just wanted to find somewhere quiet to sit, and maybe cry.

Surprisingly, her in-laws were more accepting than she thought. Mrs Wright was just as excited about their joining as she was about her sister. ' I guess nothing fazes rich people' Eleanor thought as her mother-in-law dragged her around to greet all these people she could care less about.

Malcolm walked slowly behind them, looking all beautiful, elegant and what not, but Eleanor knew his true colors. He was a wolf in sheepskin, and with the way his eyes roamed the large hall, she could bet at that moment he was looking for his next target.

But when she actually looked at him again, she met his sharp gray eyes. Eleanor was taken aback by the stare so she looked away quickly.

Badum…'Eh? What the hell do you think you're doing?!' Eleanor thought when her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe her stupid heart would skip because of this..this asshole!

A gentle hand touched her shoulder, " Eleanor dear, are you alright?" Mrs Wright asked with a worried look on her beautifully ageing face, ' Malcolm definitely got his looks from her' Eleanor thought and answered at the same time, " I'm fine. Just a bit tired" she said.

" Oh dear! I didn't realize. I didn't mean to drag you around. I just wanted to show you off" the woman panicked a bit. Eleanor felt bad, ' I should have shut my mouth' she cursed inwardly.

She was about to ease the woman, when her husband came to her rescue, " Of course she'd be tired. Poor girl was dragged into a marriage that wasn't meant for her, and everyone's suddenly expecting her to be social" Malcolm said in a very calm manner.

Eleanor wanted to pull his ear, how could he just say that to his mother?!

But Mrs Wright just scowled at him, " This rude boy, instead of running your mouth why don't you take her somewhere to rest" she told him and Malcolm scowled, " Why me? She can go by herself" he mumbled.

Eleanor glared at him, "You're leaving your poor wife to walk in pain, how gentlemanly of you" she scowled. Malcolm smiled in a very suspicious manner, " Alright then, you don't have to walk" he said, and before Eleanor could register what was happening, Malcolm had scooped her in his arms, bridal style.

Eleanor wrapped her arms around his neck, " what are you doing?!" She squeaked and tried to hide her face from the attention they were receiving.

Malcolm snorted, " What else? I'm being a gentleman. I won't let you walk in pain" he said. Eleanor felt so embarrassed and hid her face till they were out of the hall and in the hotel room he stayed to get ready.

He dumped her on the bed and helped her take off her shoes, " There. All better" he said and grinned down at her. Eleanor felt anger boiling in her blood, " You…you bastard!" She cursed at him, her face red from previous embarrassment.

Malcolm smiled in amusement, " Why are you so mad? You didn't want to walk so I carried you. How ungrateful" he joked. Eleanor grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, " Get out. Go away!" She yelled and he left still laughing.

As Malcolm walked back to the reception hall in the hotel, he thought to himself, ' This is going to be interesting'.