The Perfect Wife by Victoria Alexander Read Free Book Online

exceptional wife. But the more he pondered her unusual behavior, the more he wondered if indeed she was quite what she appeared to be.
    What did he really know about her anyway? Certainly her widowed years here in London had been quiet and discreet. Before then, of course, was a different story. A story familiar to most in the ton.
    She and Jack Winfield had run off to Gretna Green a scant week after her come-out. Nicholas believed she was seventeen at the time. Their six-year marriage was fraught with wild living and the flouting of convention. Gossip branded the marquess and marchioness of Stanford outrageous and extravagant. No one was surprised when Stanford died in a carriage accident during an extremely high-stakes race.
    The ton generally agreed that her husband’s death had changed Sabrina. She’d apparently mourned deeply, secluding herself in the country for a full three years. She and her daughter eventually returned to London, but she did not resume her reckless, fast-paced life, living instead in relative quiet.
    Nicholas’s carriage pulled up to her town house, and he jumped down. He cast a critical eye on the structure, then blessed it with a nod of approval. It was as acceptable and proper as he’d been led to expect, pleasant enough in a fashionable neighborhood, nothing out of the ordinary.
    He climbed the steps and rapped sharply on the door. Within seconds it opened, and a tail, powerfully built man towered before him. A spark of surprise flickered in the man’s eyes so briefly, Nicholas assumed he was mistaken.
    “May I help you, milord?” The man’s deferential tones at once marked him as a servant, no doubt a butler.
    “Yes. I’m here to see Lady Stanford.”
    “And whom shall I say is calling?”
    “Lord Wyldewood.”
    The butler ushered him into the house and escorted him to a small salon. “I shall inform milady you’re here.”
    “Thank you.”
    The butler nodded and left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.
    Odd. The man certainly did not look like a servant. He was built more in the style of a dock worker than a household retainer. Oh, his manner could not be faulted, and his apparel was impeccable, but there was something about him ... Nicholas frowned in puzzled concentration. Somehow, he suspected there was more to this butler than his composed expression would have one believe. Nicholas tried to dismiss the thought, but it nagged at him. The man was simply not the sort of servant he envisioned the serene, reserved Lady Stanford to have.

    Wills did his job well. Sabrina’s jewels fetched more than enough to finance her quest. And even better, he’d found her old partner as well, or at least her partner’s ship. It was set to sail this afternoon, and she was determined to be on it.
    Sabrina’s small, serviceable portmanteau lay open on her bed. She would not be accompanied by servants and planned to travel as light and as fast as possible. She ran a hand lovingly over the two pairs of breeches and several loose men’s shirts already folded in the case. Beside them lay a pair of men’s leather boots, butter soft and well worn. Even the look of them gave a promise of adventure, and delicious anticipation shivered through her.
    The clothing had been stored untouched for nearly a decade and remained serviceable. She intended to wear men’s clothing as much as possible on this trip, for safety and for comfort. As for servants, she would hire what she needed in Egypt.
    Sabrina tossed a few day dresses into the case, some undergarments and, as an afterthought, grabbed a shimmering, emerald evening gown from the wardrobe. Extremely daring and the height of fashion, it was her favorite, and brought out the sparkle in her eyes. She couldn’t foresee the need for such a dress on this trip; still, it would do no harm to take it along.
    Sabrina snapped the case closed and moved to her dressing table. Her gaze skimmed the note she had written to her incompetent solicitor,