If He's Noble (Wherlocke Book 7) (Paranormal Historical Romance) by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online

three people who would benefit if your brother was gone and at least one who would benefit if you were both gone.”
    “Three?”
    “Your betrothed. He is out the payment of a debt and a young bride.”
    She slumped back in her seat and rubbed her hands over her face. “And it is my aunt who would benefit from both Simeon and me out of her way.”
    “Exactly.”
    “Do you think the men you took the horses back from are still going to be a problem?”
    “I have no idea, but, if not them, someone else will be. Sadly, there are many more rogues to hire if she dismisses them for failing her.”
    “Oh, dear. Augusta hates being failed, detests any failure at all. It is the one thing that reveals that ugly side of her she usually keeps so well hidden. It enrages her. Once I saw that I began to wonder how my uncle had survived being married to her for so long. He fails her all the time.”
    “She needs him for some reason. Maybe to hold her place in that society that is so important to her. Maybe she likes the fact that she is the power in her marriage and knows she would not find that anywhere else.”
    “You clearly do not even consider the fact that she might actually love the fool, do you?”
    “Not for a moment but I could be wrong. Yet I find it difficult to believe a woman who does what I think she is doing is capable of such an emotion.”
    Suddenly Primrose felt exhausted. It was all too much. The worry she had suffered while he had been chasing horse thieves combined with the knowledge about her aunt bled all her strength away. It was weak and cowardly but she had no wish to talk of it, or even think of it anymore for now. She forced herself to her feet and brushed down her skirts.
    “I thank you for getting Smudge back. I would have been heartbroken to have lost her. I am also very glad you were able to do so without injury. And now, I believe I will retire. Suddenly I am very tired despite the brew I just drank. Good sleep, Sir Bened.”
    “Good sleep, Miss Primrose.”
    Bened watched her leave and sighed. He hated the fact that the hard news he had had to deliver had crushed her so. He knew that was part of the exhaustion she claimed. It bruised the spirit to learn your family wanted to hurt you, would betray you that deeply and completely.
    Deciding he needed to clean up and get some rest himself, he ordered a bath and went to his room. As he passed the door to Primrose’s bedchamber, he heard a sound that made him pause and his hand was on the door latch before he could stop himself. She was crying. He forced his hand away from the latch. She had a right but he did not have the right to intrude. He also knew that, if he went in the room, his plan to comfort her could all too easily turn into so much more.
    Shaking his head and wishing he could strangle Augusta Wootten, he went to his room. The hot bath brought to him calmed him and slowly his need to rush to Primrose’s side faded in strength. It was too soon to push himself into her life in that way.
    There was also the fact that Primrose was not a woman you bedded and walked away from. Bened knew that before he drew too close and gave in to the desire that she could stir in his blood, he had to make up his mind about just what he wanted from her aside from a long night of lovemaking. The Honorable Primrose Wootten was a woman you did not play with. She was well bred, rich, and far above his touch for a start, despite his new honors. If he took her as his lover, he would have to take her as his wife. That was not something a man did without a great deal of thought. Bened could only hope his attraction to her gave him the luxury of having time for such deep thinking.
     
     
    Primrose slowly got off the bed where she had collapsed upon entering the room only to indulge in a long weep. She washed her face and then proceeded to get ready for bed. There was nothing she could do to change her circumstances. Or her family. In truth, the only real family she