The Perfect Wife by Victoria Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

daughter like this. And it’s such a relief to know her future father-in-law will be there when she needs him. However, my plans are personal, relating to private business, and I am not at liberty to discuss them.” Sabrina stood, prompting Wyldewood to rise to his feet. “So, I’m afraid your purpose in coming, while thoughtful, is unnecessary.”
    She beamed up at him, hoping to disarm him with her talk of privacy. Indeed, what well-bred Englishman would dare intrude in a private matter?
    “Lady Stanford,” Wyldewood’s dark brows drew together in a forbidding frown, “if you were a man I would not dream of pushing this matter any farther, but as you are a lady, and one without benefit of male guidance, I feel it is my duty to pursue this.”
    Sabrina struggled to keep her smile plastered firmly on her face. Struggled not to clench her teeth and ball her fists in tight little knots. Struggled not to tell this pompous, arrogant, sanctimonious ass exactly what he could do with his male guidance.
    He bestowed upon her what could only be called a condescending smirk. “As your daughter is about to marry my son, I consider that you as well are becoming a member of my family. And as the head of the family, I’m afraid I simply cannot permit you to depart London with only your vague assertion that your purpose is private.”
    His words did not completely shatter her self-control. Sabrina was well used to restraint, well used to dealing with the inherent arrogance of the male of the species and well used to doing just as she wished. She had hidden her emotions behind a composed facade for years, polishing that skill to a high gloss finish. A finish Wyldewood’s comments had marred with only a small nick, the merest scratch, a tiny crack, nothing Sabrina could not handle. She drew a deep breath.
    “Lord Wyldewood, while I am truly grateful for your consideration, you must understand, I have been without my late husband for thirteen years. In that time, I have lived an independent life without benefit of... what was the term you used? Oh, yes—male guidance.” She flashed him yet another practiced smile. “And even you must admit, I have succeeded in handling my affairs quite successfully. So, while your concern is appreciated, it is also misplaced.”
    She took his elbow and escorted him toward the door. “I fear my time is extremely limited today. I am set to sail within the hour, so—”
    “No!” Wyldewood interrupted, halting their forward progress, and glared at her with annoyance. “I am afraid you do not understand. I have no intention of allowing you to sail with or without an appropriate explanation.”
    “Really?” Sabrina stared at him pleasantly. “I believe you have very little choice in the matter.”
    A myriad of expressions played across his face, and Sabrina’s irritation turned to smug satisfaction. He had no legitimate control over her actions, no legal rights, and his moral obligation was vague to say the least. Whether he liked it or not, there was nothing he could do to stop her.
    “In that case ...” his dark eyes smoldered and a trickle of delicious fear shivered through Sabrina, “... I shall simply have to accompany you.”
    “What?” Sabrina blurted. “I hardly think—I can’t believe—” What on earth was he proposing? She couldn’t possibly take him along. It simply would not work. This trip would take months. Months of being together every day, on board ship and in the desert. Could she possibly be around him day after day without revealing her true self, her real feelings? More to the point, could she resist the unexpected temptation this man presented?
    Her eyes widened with the impact of the questions hurtling through her head and she stared. Wyldewood looked for all the world like a fox who’d successfully raided the hen house, confident, satisfied and, God help her, triumphant. Few people knew Sabrina well enough to know this was not a wise attitude for him to