The Wagered Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

"He won't be staying,
sweetheart. He has a prior engagement."
    She
turned back to Stephen. "Is that true?"
    Trying
to avoid a confrontation, Stephen took Jane's hands in his and stepped back,
smiling. "But how wonderful you look. You must have taken Paris by
storm."
    Jane's
blue eyes danced. "You are ever the flatterer, Stephen. Now, please, say
you are staying."
    Stephen
saw the curl of his brother's lip and released Jane's hands. "Forgive me,
Duchess. But I have already made plans. I will be taking my leave within the
hour."
    Jane
frowned. "But you will visit us in Town? Soon?"
    "Of
course. Must greet Mother before I depart, so if you will excuse me." He
brought her hands to his lips, kissed them, bowed, and started for the door.
    "Stephen,"
the duke ground out.
    Stephen
glanced up. He had asked Roderick for a favor, but by heaven, he would not beg.
"What is it, your mighty dukeness?"
    As the
youngest of the four brothers, Stephen seemed to annoy Roderick the most,
especially with his dry humor.
    Roderick
regarded his wife. "We have unfinished business, sweetheart. If you would
please close the door on your way out."
    Blue
eyes snapped. "Are you dismissing me, Your Grace?"
    Roderick
raised his right brow at his wife's defiance, a gesture Stephen was all too
familiar with. He had always wondered how the new duchess would take Roderick's
overbearing, self-righteous attitude after she had lived with him for a while.
    Stephen
turned around, taking Jane's hand back in his, using his utmost charm.
"You'd best leave, Duchess. It seems Roderick has a few choice words he
would like to say to me."
    Jane's
bosom swelled as she glared at her husband. "Well, I believe I heard a few
of those words, and I am ashamed of you."
    Roderick's
eyes rounded. "This is between Stephen and me. It is not for a lady's
ears."
    "How
dare you speak to me as if I were a ... a peabrain."
    "I
am your husband, a fact perchance you have forgotten."
    "And
I thought I was your wife, a fact you seemed to have forgotten entirely."
    "Not
entirely," he drawled, his gaze moving lazily over her person, "but
as my wife you will do as I say."
    "Whatever
gave you that silly notion?" Jane uttered.
    Stephen
thought the entire scenario hilarious until Jane took a menacing step toward
Roderick, blocking Stephen from the duke's glare. Stephen frowned. Shame heated
his blood as he realized that he had sunk very low indeed if he needed to have
a lady defend his honor, and his brother's wife at that.
    "Jane,"
Stephen said hoarsely, "please leave, dearest. I know you mean well, but
this is truly between Roderick and me.
    The lady
gave Stephen a tremulous smile. "If you wish. But please promise me you
will not be a stranger. You must stay with us in London when you come to Town.
Those apartments you have are not quite the thing. The food is no good at
all."
    Stephen
kissed her hand. "Your servant, madam."
    Roderick
let out a low growl as soon as his wife departed. "How dare you use Jane
for your own interests."
    Stephen's
jaw hardened as he turned toward his brother.  "I would never use a woman
to defend me, and you know it."
    Roderick's
eyes challenged him. "Do I?"
    "There
is nothing more to be said. Good day, Your Grace."
    "I
will never give you another guinea to be thrown away on gaming. Do you
understand me? Your gambling and drinking have gone far enough. You are a
disgrace to the Elbourne name."
    A muscle
ticked in Stephen's jaw. "Devil take it, if you were not my brother, I
would call you out."
    "Do
not let that stop you. But pray, have you considered Lady Odette's reaction to
your loss of Creighton Hall? If you think she will marry you now, you are very
much mistaken. That prime piece of land backs up to her father's. To whom did
you lose it? Tell me, so I may buy it back. Mother need never know."
    Stephen's
expression grew dark as the memory of the card game drummed in his brain.
"I am only telling you because I know you will find out by other means.
Shelby holds the