Wife Errant Read Online Free PDF

last century. I should very much like to show them to you.”
    Tess’s besetting fault was that she found it hard to say no. Before she knew what was happening, Lord James had pulled the check string and directed the groom to Sydney Gardens. He beguiled the trip with a deal of flirtatious nonsense that set her teeth on edge. She reminded him of that famous beauty, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire; something about the way she spoke, and those killing eyes. Did she ride? Ah, she had not brought her mount, but he was sure a friend of his could provide one.
    Eventually the carriage drove into the shady gardens, where more Bath chairs than pedestrians were to be seen at this haunt of the valetudinarian. Lord James’s power of invention was hard-pressed to find compliments on a winter garden bereft of blooms, but heavily littered with dank yews. They descended and strolled among the yews, until Tess said she found the wind chilly, and she really must be going.
    “I have frozen you to the bone with my selfishness. You must let me give you a tea, Miss Marchant.”
    “That is not necessary, Lord James. I can have tea at home.”
    “But it is past teatime. There is a quaint little tea shop just south of the garden, on New Sydney Place. No argument. You would not make an old bachelor take his tea alone,”he said, making a long face.
    She was rushed along to a tea shop that purveyed an indifferent tea of Bath cakes and Bath buns, both stale. “Now I really must be going home,”she said. The sun was already sinking low in these short winter days. “Mama will wonder what has happened to me.”
    “Shall I go in and make your apologies?”he suggested.
    “I wish you would not,”she said, her patience straining to remain civil. How could Mama stand the man?
    Lord James would not hear of her dropping him off at his rooms, but sat in the carriage until she reached Bartlett Street. He did not insist on entering the house with her , however.
    Tess was in a thoroughly cross mood by the time she got home. Crimshaw gave a shake of his bald head and said, “The mistress is waiting for you in the saloon, Miss Marchant. In a bit of a pelter,”he added, to warn her.
    “She is not the only one!”Tess said angrily, and handed Crimshaw her bonnet.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Tess stopped to tidy her hair at the mirror before entering the saloon, she was confronted by the familiar expression of Saint Jerome. She adjusted her frown to a smile, for her new role of flirt. This incident must be handled carefully. She would not say Lord James had kidnapped her; that might very well incite Mama to competition for the eel. Lord James was not the issue; Revel would handle him. The idea Tess hoped to convey was that she had lost track of time while out with a fairly amusing gentleman. Surely that would nudge Mama into a fit of propriety.
    “Mama, you’ll never guess what!”Tess said, entering the saloon with a smile. “I met your beau at Lady Revel’s, and we went for a drive.”
    “Lord James!”Mrs. Marchant exclaimed. She was completely floored at this unexpected piece of news, and hardly knew what tack to take. “What the devil did he want with you? Where were you till such an hour? It is long past teatime.”
    “We were here, there, and everywhere. We drove to Sydney Gardens and had tea at a little shop there. I had no idea he was so amusing.”
    “I hope you did not think I have been stepping out with a flat. Of course he is amusing.”
    “Amusing, but somewhat tiresome,”Tess said, stifling an imaginary yawn.
    “What did he say about me?”
    “We did not discuss you much,”Tess said, as if to try to remember a single speech. “He thinks I look like the Duchess of Devonshire.”
    “Idiot! You look nothing whatsoever like the late duchess. I am the one who resembles Georgiana. Everyone says so. James himself has mentioned the likeness a dozen times. He was merely buttering you up to get on my good side.”
    Tess gave a bored look and