Anne Ashley by His Makeshift Wife Read Free Book Online

this time. ‘It isn’t late and we must
both accustom ourselves to being in each other’s company for at least part of
most days. Besides which, I cannot imagine you’ve found the day such an ordeal
that you must retire so early. Considering everything had to be arranged in such
a short space of time, I thought things went rather well.’
    While speaking, he had risen to his feet and had come slowly
down the length of the table towards her, bringing the port decanter with him.
He was undeniably continuing to be deliberately provocative. Yet, behind the
gentle goading, she sensed there was a genuine desire for her to remain. She
hovered for a moment, undecided, then, against her better judgement, resumed her
seat, curiosity having got the better of her.
    ‘No, I haven’t found the day an ordeal in the least, sir.’ She
shrugged, attempting to appear more at ease than she in fact was, now that he
had positioned a chair so close to her own that she could almost detect the
warmth his body exuded. She watched the strong yet shapely hand tilt the
decanter and fill a glass. ‘As—as weddings go, I suppose it did go rather well,
even though it was perhaps unusually private,’ she added tentatively, feeling a
little more comment was expected of her.
    He regarded her in silence for a moment. ‘Since the marriage
was, to all intents and purposes, forced upon us, it would have been somewhat
hypocritical to have had a grand affair to celebrate the union, attended by all
our relations and friends,’ he pointed out. ‘Those who needed to be there to
witness the event were present—Mr Pettigrew and…your Janet.’
    Was that a note of disapproval in his voice? ‘My Janet?’ she
echoed.
    ‘She’s quite evidently become devoted to you.’
    Briony saw no reason to deny it. ‘Yes, I suppose we have become
very close over the years. You don’t object, surely?’
    ‘No, not at all…’ his regard all at once became more intense
‘…providing, of course, your obvious affection for the housekeeper doesn’t
induce you to confide in her more than is wise. The result might be unfortunate
for you if you do.’
    Very much resenting the evident threat, she made no attempt to
disguise the fact. ‘I have confided in no one, sir. You above anyone should
realise how far I’ve been prepared to go to make this farcical union of ours
appear real. Was it not I who suggested you should occupy your late aunt’s
bedchamber so that we might be as close as possible in order to allay any
suspicions with the household staff, which might ultimately result in gossip
spreading throughout the locale? I assure you your mistrust is quite without
foundation. I have every intention of keeping to my part of the bargain,
providing you keep to yours.’
    ‘Come down off the boughs, girl!’ he ordered gently. ‘Here,
drink this,’ he continued in the same mildly authoritative way, after filling
another glass and steering it across the table towards her. ‘It might help calm
you. We must at least attempt to appear perfectly at ease with each other, even
if we are not. And six months is a very long time to maintain the pretence.’
    She couldn’t argue with that and meekly took the glass of port
he had offered, which obviously pleased him, for his smile was clearly one of
approval.
    Undoubtedly, he was going out of his way to be amiable in an
attempt to maintain cordial relations between them. Yet, she wasn’t so foolish
as to suppose there mightn’t be a darker side to his nature, which might so
easily surface if she was to prove an annoyance. At the moment, though, he
seemed intent on remaining in an affable mood, so she decided to take advantage
of the fact by attempting to discover what had really induced him to relinquish
his bachelor state, if only for six months. After all, everything was for her
benefit. She couldn’t for the life of her see where he profited at all!
    The instant the question had been voiced, he lowered his eyes
and