The Earl's Inconvenient Wife (Regency Collection Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

life.”
    She shouldn’t be surprised.  Her sister’s goal w as to marry someone with a title.  To her, this was the best thing that could happen to a lady.
    “Stop being so glum,” Lilly playfully admonished.  “Think of all the nice clothes and jewelry you can have.  Think of all the servants who’ll do your bidding.  Think of all the places you can go for entertainment.”
    She shook her head.  Lilly had no idea what she’d just got ten herself into.  “He’s going to resent me.”
    Lilly slipped her arm around Claire’s and helped her move forward.  “Give him an heir and all will be forgiven,” she whispered.
    She rolled her eyes and ignored her sister’s last statement.  It was going to take more than an heir to make him understand that she didn’t trick him into marriage.  What that something was, she didn’t know, and truth be told, she didn’t even know how to find out.

Chapter Three
     
    C laire gripped the brush in her hands.  The previous night had been a disaster.  In a week, she was going to be Roderick’s wife, and God help her but she couldn’t think of a worse fate.
    Marion, her maid, entered her small bedroom and offered her a smile.  “Would you like me to brush your hair this morn ing?”
    Claire shook her head and absentmindedly ran the brush through it.  What did it matter how her hair looked?  She’d already found a husband, even if it was due to the manipulations of her family.  She never should have left the ballroom without her mother.  This was her fault.  What she didn’t understand was the enthusiasm her father and Lilly had for making it seem as if she’d been in a scandalous situation.  Didn’t they worry about the family’s reputation?
    “I think I should brush your hair,” Marion told her in a soft voice.
    Claire blinked in surprise, not realizing she’d stopped brushing her hair.  With a sigh, she handed the brush to Marion and stared off into the distance, not seeing anything in particular.  Marion brushed her hair in gentle strokes, something that had a calming effect on her swirling emotions.  Claire didn’t know how Marion knew what she needed to feel better, but somehow, she did.
    Someone gave a tap on her open door.  Turning her gaze in the direction of the sound, Claire wasn’t sure if she was happy or not to see her sister.  For the moment, she greeted her, and Lilly returned the greeting before sitting on her bed to wait in silence while Marion finished fixing her hair.  After Marion left the room, Claire faced her sister.
    Lilly grinned.  “I can’t believe your fortune.  Imagine snatching an earl so soon!”
    Claire groaned.  “It won’t be a happy marriage.”
    “Sure, it will.  You shouldn’t be so glum.  I didn’t come in to rehash our talk last night.  Father wishes to speak to you in the drawing room.”
    “I’m not sure I want to talk to him right now.”
    “Oh, do it.  Father’s not upset.”
    “ He’s not upset?” Claire snapped but bit her tongue before she said anything else.  She stood up and put on her slippers.  “Very well.  I’ll see him.”
    To her surprise, Lilly followed her out of the room and whispered, “Just think of how big your new house will be.  This townhouse is cramped.  You’d think Father would rent something better.”
    “I don’t think he could afford to with your new wardrobe.”
    Lilly shot her a hurt look.  “Your wardrobe was expensive, too.  Besides, he has money.”
    “And he’s lavished a lot of it on us.  To rent a more expensive place would be his undoing.” Claire didn’t know why she was defending him when he was willing to make her seem like a loose woman to the Ton.
    “You’re right, of course.  You’ve always been the sensible one of the two of us .” She stopped before they reached the stairs and grabbed Claire’s arm so Claire paused.  She hugged Claire.  “I’m happy for you because you’re marrying an earl, but I’m going to