Libertine's Wife Read Online Free PDF Page A

humor. “For
one, you might have gotten my name, my lady, but that is all you
will get! You’re to be packed off to one of my estates. How does
that sound? It’s far better than you deserve!”
    Arianne was pleased. She wouldn’t have
to endure his company for long at all. It was obvious the man hated
her. She stayed silent, seeing the rage in his eyes. His lips were
compressed in fury, his emerald eyes like chips of ice.
    “ Can I assume by your
refusal to speak up in my defense that you’re also no virgin?” He
smiled smugly at her flaming features. “Ah, so I’m the one to pay
for you raising your skirts for another, am I? Why is the husband
always the bloody last to know?”
    Arianne stayed silent, refusing to
engage his anger. He strode forward, his gaze sliding over her
paling features with contempt. She nearly shrank away from the
anger she sensed in him.
    “ Had I know you were so free
with your favors that night; I might have paid more attention to
you, my sweet.” His eyes slid lower to her bosom, leering in
obvious admiration. “A great deal more attention.”
    Arianne endured his mocking laughter
then, knowing she deserved every bit of it for what she did. She
looked down, unable to bear his scorn any longer. He reached out
and grabbed her chin in a vice grip, forcing her to look up at
him.
    “ Oh no, don’t you look away
from me now, my sweet little wife,” her husband whispered harshly.
“Your performance as the despoiled virgin is over. Well done. I
commend you for maintaining such a martyred stance throughout this
farce. I seemed to have forced myself on you in a drunken fit, did
I? And you allowed me my way and endured me, did you? We both know
you’re no damned innocent! I’d put money on that if I wasn’t so
light in the pockets after dealing with your damned
brother!”
    “ Stop it! Please, my lord.”
Arianne skittered away from him, putting the bureau between them,
trembling from his anger.
    “ Stop what? Stop speaking
the truth?” He regarded her with a black scowl. “We both know the
real game here, girl! I am no fool! Your brother has bled me for a
damned fortune! And you stand by and do nothing!”
    “ Please keep your voice
down, my lord,” Arianne implored, reddening at his insulting words.
“The reverend may still be here.”
    Ravensford chuckled at that. “Worried
you might shock him? It might surprise that good man to know how
low you would go to get a husband to cover your shame.”
    “ I refuse to discuss this
with you while you’re in a bad temper,” Arianne snapped, angry now
at his continued baiting of her. “You’re unable to see reason right
now. When you calm down—”
    “ You have no bloody idea how
I feel or care! Don’t tell me to calm down,” he shot back harshly,
his handsome face flushed with rage. “You will regret forcing me to
this, that I can promise you.”
    “ I am so very sorry this has
happened, my lord.” She stared at his angry features, her fear
growing with his rage. “You have no idea how much I regret
it.”
    “ I will give you ample
reflection for your actions. We will see how I compare with the one
who ruined you. It may prove entertaining.” Arianne stared at him,
the blood draining from her features. “I might as well have what I
was blamed for taking before I leave you to rot at my estate, Lady
Ravensford. Ready yourself to leave within the hour! If I stay here
much longer, I will choke the life out of both you and your damned
brother!”
    With that, the man spun upon
his heel and stalked from the salon. She heard the front door open
and slam behind him. Arianne collapsed against the bureau, her
heart hammering in her breast. He knew they
deceived him!
    Just his contemptuous words alone
assured her he had no doubt of why he was forced to marry her, for
that, and her brother’s desperate need for funds.
    The thought of Lord Ravensford coming
to her bed made her shudder in revulsion, anticipating he would
enjoy hurting