The Seduction of His Wife Read Online Free PDF Page B

past.
    There was one important fact that remained: He wasn’t a young man anymore. While his father had been alive, it hadn’t much mattered whether or not Richard had stuck around. The title, the estate, all the entailments had been his for three years now, and he’d done nothing with them.
    He’d meant to come home to England after his father’s death, but he’d been caught up in the politics of his trade. Once his business was sold, he’d have a great deal more time to do his title justice, and fill the role properly as the Earl of Asbury. Part of that meant making peace with his wife and securing the family seat for future generations of Mansfields. And in securing his seat, he’d not be cuckolded by one of her lovers. Seeing her last night had proved that he couldn’t leave her to her own devices any longer.
    He’d not been completely deaf to the gossip surrounding her over the years. There were rumored affairs. Actually, one rumored affair, with a man known for his proclivities where the fairer sex was concerned.
    Richard had settled into a wingback chair, a glass of lemonade in his hand to stave off the heat of midday, when he heard the commotion from the hallway. His wife rushed into the parlor with her hat in hand, gloves still on from her walk.
    Emma tipped her head down in a curtsy. Her blonde curls were loose and spilled around her heart-shaped face. When she looked back at him, he was stunned to silence by her appearance.
    He hadn’t gotten a good impression of her in the dimly lit room last night. Under the full brunt of the sunlight coming in through the open windows, she was a remarkable woman. Her skin was speckled with the lightest of freckles over her thin nose and high cheekbones, which were rosy from her exertions outdoors. Wide, round eyes that were as green as raw jade stared back at him in silent astonishment.
    Had he struck his wife speechless? She’d rendered him quite unable to find his tongue.
    Her height lent her a litheness and agility that made him want to caress her as he would absently stroke a cat. Even her form was pleasing with its curves at the bosom and hips. She was more beautiful than any of the more exotic women he’d spent company with. More striking than he ever remembered or imagined possible.
    He stood, remembering his manners too late. Damn her ability to make him speechless.
    “Emma.”
    “What are you doing here?” she said in a rush, nibbling at her lower lip.
    “This is my house.” He didn’t mean to bite out his words so harshly, but must she question his intentions?
    “You never stay here when I’m in Town.”
    “It seems I need to look out for your welfare. Make sure you act as your position dictates.” He meant it teasingly, but the words came out cross.
    The color drained from her face. “What exactly does that mean?”
    Damnation. He was making a bloody mess of this. “It means you are no longer allowed to venture out in the evening without telling me your whereabouts.” There, that was said without an edge of anger.
    “You have no right.”
    There was a fire about her that he hadn’t expected. He was intrigued by this new contrast in her character. It was better than the meek obedient young woman she’d once been. Though that didn’t mean he’d tolerate her traipsing around Town with a string of lovers in her wake.
    “As your husband, I have every right.” And he’d be damned if his wife ran wild, mingling with all sorts of degenerates. She was no longer free to do as she pleased if that was how she planned to go about her evenings.
    “One could argue against the fact that you are any sort of husband. I’ll continue doing as I’ve always done.”
    “No. You won’t.” He set his glass on the tall side table and took a step toward her. “It’s within my rights to lock you in this house if it’ll keep you from attending places not fit for a lady.”
    “I dare you to try.”
    He ignored her boldness. He would not be told no.