Rule's Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

morning.”
    â€œYes, of course.” His gaze ran over her. In the yellow glow of the lamp on the table, he saw that in the past three years her features had softened, the sharp angles smoothed into feminine lines and curves. Her cheeks were as pale as cream and heightened by a touch of rose. A full bosom swelled above her tiny waist, her neck was slender and as graceful as her hands. Her lips were fuller than he recalled, beautifully curved and a lush shade of pink.
    No longer the boyish young girl she had been at sixteen, Violet had matured into a woman. She was everything her father had predicted and more, the sort of female any red-blooded male would want in his bed.
    And she was his wife.
    A trickle of desire filtered through him, tightening hisgroin. He cleared his throat, ignored the thickening in his loins. It was merely that the hour was late and he hadn’t had a woman in weeks.
    â€œMy condolences on the loss of your father. He was a very great man.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œI am truly sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. If only you had sent word ahead—”
    â€œMy decision was made somewhat quickly. Any letter would have arrived at the same time I did.” She gave him a sharp-edged smile. “Besides, I thought it would be nice to surprise you.”
    His return smile was weak. “Well, you certainly accomplished that.” He should have left for Boston months ago. He hadn’t considered it a breach of his word until that very moment. The notion did not sit well.
    Violet lifted her chin. “I shall see you in the morning, then.”
    Rule nodded. “I’ll have Hat rouse one of the chambermaids and send her in to help you undress.”
    â€œHat, I presume, is your butler?”
    â€œIt’s Hatfield, actually. I’ve always called him Hat.”
    â€œOf course.”
    Rule stood by as she collected her skirts and swept gracefully from the drawing room. As she disappeared through the door, a rush of air escaped his lungs.
    God’s blood, his wife had come to London! He still couldn’t believe it. He would have to tell his family, try to explain why he had kept his marriage a secret.
    Rule thought of facing his two brothers and their wives—worse yet, his aunt Agatha, the matriarch of the family—and inwardly he groaned.
    Â 
    Violet pushed through the door of her bedroom to find Caroline still fully dressed and asleep on top of the bed. Her cousin jerked awake as Violet stepped into the room and quietly closed the door.
    Caroline blinked owlishly then grinned. “Tell me what happened. I won’t be able to sleep a wink until I know.”
    Violet released a weary breath. She had only slept in fits and starts on the sofa and jousting with Rule had left her edgy and drained.
    â€œHe was quite the gentleman. But then he always was.”
    Rule had accepted her arrival more graciously than she had expected. Oh, he had been surprised to see her—wildly so. But he had recovered his composure quickly and played the willing host.
    Which perhaps she should have expected. His smooth, sophisticated manner had been one of the things her father had admired.
    â€œWhat does he look like? Is he still so very handsome?”
    Handsome was a very pale word to describe a man who looked like Rule. “He is handsome. Beyond handsome, to be truthful. He is even taller than I remember.”
    â€œWith those lovely blue eyes and those wonderful dimples?”
    â€œThat would be him—though I didn’t see the dimples tonight. I don’t think he found anything the least bit humorous about my unexpected arrival.”
    Caroline grinned. “Well, then, if you are still set on tossing him over, maybe you should give him to me.”
    Violet laughed. “Once I am rid of him, I don’t care what he does.”
    Caroline arched a golden eyebrow. “On second thought,I don’t want your leftovers. I think I shall