A Husband's Wicked Ways by Jane Feather Read Free Book Online Page A

themselves warm. Aurelia offered an occasional comment, an encouraging murmur now and again, and it seemed all that Franny needed to keep up her monologue. They reached Mount Street and the Bonhams’ establishment just as Harry descended from a hackney carriage at the door.
    “Good morning, Harry.” Aurelia greeted his disheveled and weary appearance without surprise. “You don’t look as if you’ve been home in a day or two.”
    “And so I haven’t,” he said with tired sigh. “Goodmorning, Franny.” He dropped a kiss on the child’s upturned brow as she launched into a minute description of a goldfish she and Stevie were keeping in a bowl in the schoolroom.
    He accompanied them into the house, producing all the right sounds of astonishment and appreciation at the antics of the goldfish.
    “Run along upstairs, Franny,” Aurelia said, mercifully interrupting the flow. “Stevie and Miss Alison will be waiting for you.” She bent to kiss her, unbuttoning the child’s coat as she did so. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
    Franny scampered off and Aurelia shook her head with a resigned smile. “She never stops talking.”
    “She’s a bright little thing,” Harry responded with a chuckle, turning to his butler, who stood waiting to be noticed. “Hector, is Lady Bonham down yet?”
    “Yes, of course I am.” Cornelia’s light tones sounded on the stairs. She descended with a quick step, both hands extended to her husband. “Oh, you poor dear. You look exhausted. Have you slept at all since you left three days ago?”
    “I don’t think so,” he said, taking her hands in his and kissing her mouth. “You look as fresh as a daisy, wife of mine, and I am rank and as prickly as a cactus.” He passed a hand over his stubbly chin. “I’m going to make myself presentable and leave you to enjoy Aurelia’s company.” He stepped aside to reveal Aurelia, who’d been standing quietly behind him, waiting for the couple to complete their greeting.
    “Ellie, how lovely!” Cornelia exclaimed. “What brings you here so early?”
    “I thought I’d bring Franny myself this morning…I felt like an early walk,” Aurelia said. “But I’ve no need to stay. I don’t want to intrude.”
    “As if you ever could,” Cornelia scoffed. “Harry is going upstairs to repair himself and he’ll probably sleep until this afternoon. So let’s go and have coffee in the morning room. Have you had breakfast?” She linked arms with Aurelia and urged her towards the morning room.
    Aurelia went willingly enough, but she was beginning to question the wisdom of this impulsive visit so soon after yesterday’s revelations. The urge to pour out to her friend what was uppermost in her mind threatened to become irresistible, and she must resist it. She could think of little else and was afraid that Cornelia would sense her distraction immediately.
    But fortunately Cornelia had her own preoccupations that morning. She poured coffee for them both before sinking gracefully onto a chaise. “What do you think of a black-and-white theme, Ellie?”
    Aurelia blinked at this seeming non sequitur. “For what?”
    “The ball, of course.” Cornelia looked astonished that anyone could have forgotten this issue that occupied most of her waking hours at present.
    “Oh, of course.” Aurelia sipped her coffee and tried to give the question her full attention. “You mean the decor, or must the guests comply with the color code, too?”
    “I thought it might make it a little more interesting. Everyone gets so tired of the endless round of balls and galas, something a little different might be appreciated.”
    “Absolutely,” Aurelia agreed. “And after the success of your gala last April, you’ve a lot to live up to.” She regarded her friend with a gleam in her eyes. “I believe you intend to stun the ton with a squeeze every year, Nell.”
    A faint pink blossomed on her friend’s fashionably pale cheeks as she laughingly confessed,