The Earl's Scandalous Wife Read Online Free Page A

lot more than you’re doing for him,” Mister Robinson replied with a huff.
    “That’s enough,” Lord Clement said before Lord Roderick could respond.  “Miss Leighton, I’d be happy to talk to you.  Where’s your chaperone so we can do so?”
    Her chaperone?  She scanned the ballroom and saw her brother who was dancing with a lady.  Turning to Mister Robinson, she asked, “I don’t suppose your wife would care to chaperone?”
    “I suppose I can track her down.  I’ll return shortly.”
    As he stepped away, she excused herself from Lord Clement and hurried after Mister Robinson and stopped him.  “You’ll think my request an odd one,” she said in a low voice so no one could overhear her, “but I am in dire need of a husband.  Can you send your cousin outside where I’ll be waiting for him?”
    His eyebrows rose in interest.  “Do you mean to create a scandal?”
    “Well…” How much did she dare tell him?  Would he even agree?
    “ Why Miss Leighton,” he grinned, “I think you’re just the kind of lady my stuffy cousin needs.  Find your way to the veranda, and I’ll have my cousin go out there alone.  Then my wife and I will stumble upon you two.  Does that work?”
    Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, she nodded.  “Thank you.”
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Three

     
    Paula couldn’t believe she was doing this.  She swallowed and took a deep breath to help calm her pounding heart.  The veranda was blessedly quiet since everyone was in the ballroom.  It gave her a moment to compose herself.  She had to create a scandal.  Lord Clement might not be happy about it. All right, he definitely wouldn’t be happy about it.  If she was lucky, he wouldn’t scream at her.  Well, he wouldn’t scream, at least not in front of all the people.  And maybe by the time they got married, he would calm down to the point where he wouldn’t scream when they were alone.
    She closed her eyes and steeled her resolve.  She could do this.  All she needed to do was kiss him when Mister Robinson and his wife came out onto the veranda.  That was simple enough.  Releasing her breath, she opened her eyes and looked up at the evening sky.  She always enjoyed watching the twinkling stars and seeing the way the moon changed each night.
    But tonight, she had more pressing matters to tend to.  Once her nerves were settled enough, she edged behind a thick column and peered around it.
    A minute later, Mister Robinson opened the door and gestured for Lord Clement to step outsi de.  “I told you no one is out here,” Mister Robinson said.  “I will go inside and my wife and I will find Miss Leighton.  Then we can all talk.”
    Lord Clement hesitated on the threshold of the doorway.  “I don’t know.  Maybe we should all come out here together.”
    “What’s the need? As you can see, no one is out here.”
    He tapped the golden tip of his cane and sighed.  “I suppose you’re ri ght.  What’s the worst that can happen?”
    “Miss Leighton won’t show up,” Mister Robinson replied, chuckling at his joke.
    “I’m not amused.”
    He cleared his throat.  “Of course not.  Nothing amuses you.” As Lord Clement stepped onto the verand a, Mister Robinson added, “If anyone needs a lady who doesn’t take life so seriously, it’s you.  It’s the only way you’ll learn to enjoy life.”
    “I enjoy life just fine.”
    “Playing chess and discussing politics aren’t enjoyable.”
    “That depends on who you ask.”
    Rolling his eyes, Mister Robinson shut the door, leaving Lord Clement alone.  Paula gripped the column and watched as Lord Clement settled onto a bench just mere feet from her.  If she was going to do this, it was best to do it now.
    Lord Clement jerked and turned toward her as she approached him.  “Miss Leighton?  I didn’t see you out here.” He rose to his feet.  “We must get back inside before someone sees us.”
    Her heartbeat picked up as she closed