A Comfortable Wife Read Online Free PDF

briefly closed his eyes, listening, not to the song, but to the music of her voice. It was not the light voice of the girl he remembered but richer, a warm contralto with an undercurrent of huskiness.
    As Geoffrey’s voice blended once more with hers, Philip opened his eyes. He saw Antonia glance encouragingly upat Geoffrey, then they launched into the last verse. As the final chords died, he, Henrietta and Hugo burst into spontaneous applause.
    Almost squirming, Geoffrey blushed and disclaimed. Her expression one of affectionate exasperation, Antonia turned and deliberately met Philip’s gaze. Lips curving, she arched a delicate brow. “Are you game, my lord?”
    Philip detected at least two meanings in her challenge; he was uncertain if there was a third. Languidly, he inclined his head and straightened, responding to the more obvious of her prompts. Coming around the piano, he dropped a hand on Geoffrey’s shoulder. “After that masterful effort, I fear my poor talents will be a disappointment to you all, but if you can find a simple ballad, I’ll endeavour to do my poor best.” He took up his stance behind Antonia’s shoulder; Hugo took his place by the side of the piano.
    With an approving smile, Antonia obliged with a rolling country ballad; Philip’s strong baritone managed the changing cadences with ease. Unexpectedly caught up in the simple entertainment, Hugo consented to favour them with a rollicking shanty with a repeating refrain; Antonia made the performance even more humourous by consistently lengthening the long note at the end of the second last line of the reprieve. The shanty had a full twenty verses. First Geoffrey, then Philip, joined in, assisting Hugo through the increasingly jocular song. By the end of it, they were all laughing, very much out of breath.
    A smile wreathing her face, Henrietta applauded vigorously, then summoned them to take tea.
    Laughter lighting her eyes, Antonia swivelled on the stool to find Philip beside her. Deliberately, she looked up and met his eyes. Despite his easy expression, the grey orbs were veiled. Calmly, she raised a brow, then watched as the chiselled line of his lips lengthened into a definite smile.
    He held out his hand. “Tea, my dear?”
    “Indeed, my lord.” Tilting her chin, Antonia laid herfingers in his palm and felt his hand close about them. A peculiar shiver shot up her arm, then slithered slowly down her spine. Ignoring it, she rose; side by side, they crossed the room to where Henrietta was dispensing the tea.
    With studied calm, Antonia accepted her cup but made no move to quit her aunt’s side. A host of unfamiliar sensations flickered along her nerves; her heart was thudding distractingly. Such unexpected susceptibility was not, to her mind, a helpful development. She had never before been so afflicted—she hoped the effect would fade quickly.
    To her relief, Henrietta kept up a steady spate of inconsequentialities, abetted by Hugo Satterly. Geoffrey, having gulped his tea, wandered back to the piano. Sipping slowly, Antonia concentrated on settling her nerves.
    From behind his languid mask, Philip watched her.
    “Actually, Ruthven—” Henrietta turned from Hugo “—I had meant to consult you as soon as you appeared about holding some entertainment for the neighbours. We haven’t done anything in years. Now Antonia’s here to help me, I really feel I should grasp the nettle with both hands.”
    Philip raised a brow. “Indeed?” None who heard those two syllables could doubt his reluctance.
    Henrietta nodded imperiously. “It’s one’s duty, after all. I had been thinking of a grand ball—musicians, dancing, all the trimmings.”
    “Oh?” Philip’s tone grew steadily more distant. He exchanged a glance with Hugo.
    “Yes.” Henrietta frowned, then grimaced. “But Antonia pointed out that, after all this time, we should really do something for our tenants as well.”
    Philip glanced at Antonia; she was sipping her tea,