Bride for a Night by Rosemary Rogers Read Free Book Online

windows overlooked the formal gardens and the distant mews, while through the doorway she could catch sight of an equally luxurious bedroom.
    “It is not the largest apartment,” Mrs. Manning saidkindly, “but I thought you might prefer a view of the garden.”
    “It is lovely,” Talia murmured, her breath catching at the sight of the exquisite bouquets of roses that were set on the carved marble chimneypiece. Turning, she laid a hand on her companion’s arm, well aware that her husband was not responsible for the considerate gesture. “I adore fresh flowers. Thank you.”
    The housekeeper cleared her throat, as if embarrassed by Talia’s display of gratitude.
    “It seemed appropriate for your wedding day.”
    Talia strolled toward the lovely view of the gardens, not surprised by the marble grotto that was larger than her aunt’s cottage in Yorkshire.
    “I am certain you are aware that I am not a typical bride. The earl has hardly made an effort to disguise the fact I am an unwanted intruder.”
    “It is no fault of your own, my lady,” the servant surprisingly claimed. Was it possible Mrs. Manning felt a measure of sympathy for the earl’s discarded bride? “His lordship is merely disappointed in Master Harry and his behavior toward you.”
    Talia was not so easily fooled, but she appreciated the woman’s kind attempt.
    “I was under the impression that Lord Ashcombe was equally averse to having me as a sister-in-law. I would have assumed that he was pleased to have me jilted.” She grimaced. “At least until my father coerced him into honoring Mr. Richardson’s promise.”
    “As to that, I suppose you shall soon enough discover that his lordship and Master Harry have a…” The housekeeper paused, searching for the appropriate word. “Thorny relationship.”
    Despite her earlier promise to treat her husband withthe same disdainful lack of interest as he had displayed toward her, Talia couldn’t prevent her curiosity.
    “I did suspect as much.” She turned, watching as the servant fussed with the silver teapot set on a pier table. “It would not be easy to be a younger son.”
    “A good sight too easy, if you ask me,” the woman muttered.
    “I beg your pardon?”
    For a moment the woman hesitated. Was she debating the wisdom of sharing family gossip? Then, obviously deciding that Talia was destined to discover the Ashcombe secrets, she straightened and squarely met Talia’s curious gaze.
    “The previous earl died near ten years ago, leaving his lordship to assume the title, as well as to take responsibility for his grieving mother and younger brother.”
    Ten years ago? Talia blinked in astonishment. She had no idea.
    “He must have been very young.”
    “A week past his eighteenth birthday. Just a lad.”
    “Good heavens.”
    “Not that his lordship ever complained.” Mrs. Manning heaved a sigh. “He returned from school and shouldered his father’s duties while his mother remained in mourning and Master Harry began to fall into one scrape after another.”
    Against her will, Talia felt a stab of sympathy for the arrogant brute.
    “There was no one to assist him?”
    “The earl is not one to share his responsibility.”
    “Not particularly surprising,” Talia said in dry tones.
    Even before their farce of a wedding, Talia had sensed Gabriel’s air of isolation.
    At the time, she had imagined that his seeming needto distance himself from others had given them something in common. Now, of course, she knew that it was merely an arrogant need to control those around him.
    Just like her father.
    Mrs. Manning heaved another soulful sigh. “A pity really.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “Perhaps if Master Harry had been expected to take his fair share of duties he would not have…”
    “Left me at the altar?”
    “Yes.” The housekeeper’s plump lips tightened with disapproval. “His lordship did attempt to put a halt to his brother’s excesses, but Lady Ashcombe always was one