An Inconvenient Wife by Constance Hussey Read Free Book Online

don’t
think you will, but since this street is not unpopulated…. Give me a few
minutes of your time and I’ll bother you no more.”
    “Are you all right, Miss
McKenzie?” Red-faced and panting, Bill hurried up and planted himself in front
of Anne. “I don’t know what your game is, Mister, but you’ve no business
accosting women like that!”
    The Englishman looked at
them both for a moment, his mouth pulled into a thin-lipped smile, and he let
out a loud, harsh breath. “No, I do not. My apologies, Miss McKenzie, but it is
urgent that I speak privately with you.”
    Whatever secrets the man hid
behind that now bland expression, there was enough sincerity in his unusually
clear hazel eyes to give Anne pause. She did not like his high-handedness in
the least, or the inherent arrogance lurking under the now polite surface, but
she was curious about him and his interest in the children. In fact, she
strongly suspected his only interest was Danielle and Guy.
    Anne touched Bill on the
forearm. “I’m fine, Mr. Fenton. While I can hardly approve of Mr…?” She tipped
her head in question.
    “Blackwell.”
    “…Mr.  Blackwell’s manners,
I have no objection to speaking with him.” Anne lifted Bonnie, who was watching
the proceedings with great interest, into her arms. She raised her chin and
looked pointedly at him. “Not here, however. If you will accompany us to our
residence, Mr. Blackwell? You know the way.”
    His mouth twitched at this
sarcastic reference to his spying, but he refrained from comment and followed
Anne and her companion along the street.
    “Come in, sir.” Pleased that
her cool, calm voice displayed no inkling of the way her heart banged heavily
in her chest, Anne preceded the two men through the gate and into the
courtyard. “If you will wait here, I will join you shortly.”
    The thought of inviting him
into the house was fleeting. He was not a guest, but a man who had spied on them! Besides, the rooms were too small and he was too big. Not burly
big, but tall and muscular for all his whip-chord thin build. He is nothing
like the Major, Anne. You must not allow him to intimidate you. She
splashed some water on her flushed face, pushed the hair escaping from beneath
her headscarf back in place, and called to Maggie to join them before hurrying
outside.
    He stood in the center of
the courtyard staring at the villa, hands clasped behind his back and Anne
hesitated in the doorway, but it seemed his hearing was acute, and he swung
around to face her.
    “Why aren’t you living in
the main residence? I cannot believe the Condessa was so inhospitable. From
what I have heard of her, she is a very kind woman.”
    Anne felt her face harden
with irritation. “I don’t see that it is any of your concern, Mr. Blackwell,
but I will certainly not refute her reputation. She is a kind and generous
woman and welcomed us to her home. I chose to stay in the gatehouse.”
Despite the note of finality in her voice, he looked as if he wanted to say
more on the subject, but Anne stepped out and indicated one of the chairs Bill
was placing near the bench.
    “If you will have a seat?”
She sank down onto the bench beside the door, leaving the other chair for
Maggie. Bill preferred to stand, unless he chose to disappear altogether. He
was not much of a talker, and as she expected, went off when his wife appeared
in the doorway. “Mr. Blackwell, this is Mrs. Fenton, my companion.”
    “Mrs. Fenton.”
    Blackwell returned Maggie’s
curt nod and took the seat indicated. Well, that did not bode well
for a friendly conversation . Maggie’s colour was as high as Bill’s, without
the excuse of rapid walking, and her black eyes snapped with distrust. Anne
leaned wearily against the wall of the house. Now that the mingled feelings of
indignation and anger had subsided, she felt exhausted and wanted nothing more
than to drink something cool and lie down on her bed.
    “If you have something you
wish to discuss,