Make-Believe Wife Read Online Free Page A

another.’
    â€˜Will you please leave us.’ Roxanne’s manner was haughty, more the great lady than a governess. ‘After the doctor has been we shall want food—perhaps some good chicken broth and fresh bread.’
    He inclined his head, but made no other answer. Leaving the room, he paused to look back as Roxanne bent over the bed.
    â€˜Mr Clarendon,’ she said, placing a hand to Luke’s forehead. He was feeling warm and a little damp. She thought perhaps he had started a fever. ‘Do not worry. I am here. I shall not leave you.’
    The sound of the door shutting soundly made Roxanne look round. The landlord had gone and when she turned back, her patient’s eyelids fluttered and then opened.
    â€˜Has he gone?’ he muttered. ‘The place looks decentenough, but that fellow is a rascal. I don’t trust him. You won’t leave me, Roxanne?’
    â€˜Miss Peters. I am your employee, remember?’
    A wry laugh was wrung from his lips. ‘You will make a damned fine actress, Roxanne. You reminded me of a strict governess I once had—she frightened the life out of us all, except the earl.’
    â€˜The earl? Who is he?’
    â€˜Oh, just someone we lived with when I was young. He isn’t important.’ Luke moaned and beads of sweat appeared on his brow. ‘I am sorry to make so much fuss. I wouldn’t have thought a broken bone could be so painful. I do not recall it hurting this much when I broke my arm as a youngster.’
    â€˜You had to ride here and be manhandled up the stairs. I have not been trained to set broken bones and the bandage I applied may have made the pain worse. When the doctor comes he will rebind it and give you something to help you sleep.’
    â€˜Will you sit with me while I sleep? Or perhaps you should keep the money with you? I do not trust him.’
    â€˜Nor I,’ she admitted. ‘Do you trust me with your gold?’
    â€˜What choice have I?’ Luke reached out to touch her hand as she frowned. ‘No, that was badly put. Yes, I trust you, Roxanne. It is odd, but I feel I have known you for ever. I know you will not desert me, for you have given your word.’
    â€˜Then I shall put the money somewhere safe.’
    â€˜It is in my coat pocket, in a leather purse. I do notknow exactly what is there but it should be enough to see us safely back to London.’
    Roxanne examined his coat and found the purse. She opened the strings and counted the gold, holding it out on her hand so that he could see.
    â€˜You have ten gold sovereigns, sir. I think it should be adequate for the journey, don’t you?’
    â€˜You did not need to show me. I told you, I trust you. Now put them somewhere safe.’
    â€˜Yes, I shall.’
    Roxanne turned her back on him. Lifting her skirts, she located the secret pocket sewn into her petticoats and added the gold to her secret treasure. It felt heavy, making her very conscious of its presence, but she would become accustomed to the extra weight.
    She turned back and saw Luke staring at her.
    â€˜It is the safest place I know. My bundles could be searched or snatched.’
    Luke nodded, his eyes narrowed and thoughtful. ‘You are a resourceful woman, Roxanne. I wonder what your secret is—what you are not telling me?’
    â€˜Why should you think I have a secret?’
    How could he know? No, he could not. He was just testing her.
    â€˜I shall not pry,’ Luke said and yawned, closing his eyes. ‘You keep your secrets, Roxanne—and I shall keep mine.’
    Roxanne turned her head. How had he sensed that she was hiding her secret? She had not told him about the day Sofia found her wandering, all memory of her previous life gone. Nor had she told him about thejewel she carried in her secret pocket. Sofia had told her she had been clutching it tightly in her right hand when she was found and refused to let go for days. She also