The Seduction of His Wife by Tiffany Clare Read Free Book Online Page A

filled with astonishment she hadn’t yet tempered. He was immediately arrested by her presence.
    Strange that he’d been able to stay away from her all these years. Had he known she’d turned into such a lovely woman, he might have come home sooner. Even lower portions of his anatomy were reacting to the sight of her. This reaction was no stranger to him after their run-in a few nights ago. However, this was not a good time to be thinking lascivious thoughts about his wife.
    “Emma.” He tipped the rim of his hat at her, the corner of his mouth kicking up in a pleased grin. “I do believe you were expecting me.”
    The serving staff turned in unison to look at her. Her lush pink lips pursed and her nostrils flared, then quickly relaxed.
    “One can never be sure of these things. I apologize for not having your room prepared in advance.” With a clap of her hands, two chambermaids took their cue and left to prepare his room. “Which wing would you like your guest to reside in?”
    Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Dante resting against the carriage in a carefree, nonchalant stance, completely belying the man’s lethalness. “Next to the master chambers.”
    The thought of the bedchamber made him think about tumbling his wife in the drive. He needed to gather his wits and cool his ardor until a more opportune time arose. He’d definitely been without a woman for too long if this was the only direction his thoughts seemed to lead him in. Though he couldn’t help but wonder what she wore under all those pleated layers of white muslin.
    “My sister—”
    “Is she staying on?” He wondered which one.
    “We all stay in the same wing. We’ve made arrangements for the remainder of the season to find Abby a suitable husband.”
    All three Hallaway sisters. He should have them cleared out. Abby was a wily little thing, while Grace always found trouble for herself. Though he supposed they might have changed over the years.
    “They will be comfortable in other rooms.” Rancor tilted her words. This was not an auspicious start to their reunion if he’d already managed to anger her.
    “I will have tea and a light repast prepared for you in the study. I assume you remember the way?”
    “I do,” he answered.
    She’d grown more confident over the years. Or maybe it was the fact that she could look him in the eye without blushing and stammering childish nonsense. Time changed a lot of things. She was no longer the child bride he’d married but a full-fledged woman. A woman he could appreciate like a finely aged wine.
    Had he been a different kind of man, he might have stayed on and lived up to his father’s every expectation all those years ago. Maybe even made a good husband. The fact of the matter remained—he had not been a different man. Nor a good one, for that matter.
    She looked at him for a long moment, as though undressing him where he stood. Richard crossed his arms over his chest and studied her in kind. Fascinating that his wife would assess him so blatantly. Before he could comment on her regard, she spun on her heel, her skirts twirling like a ballerina’s before the heavy pleats settled around her legs.
    Nothing more could be said between them. Not with all the servants standing on the limestone drive, curiosity and confusion coloring their expressions.
    “Back to work,” he ordered. Everyone took his cue and scurried off.
    “You’ll have to tell me why you’ve avoided that fine woman all these years.”
    He stared at Dante. “None of your business, my friend. I’ll worry about my wife. You worry about watching my back until the ugly mess we left behind stays behind.”
    “I’ve known you for eight years, and you’ve never mentioned her.”
    “We’ve been married for more years than you’ve known me.”
    “Long time to stay away from a wife.” Dante rubbed at his jaw. “Is she a veritable shrew?”
    “More like a child I had nothing in common with.” He shook his head, not wishing