The Hired Wife Read Online Free Page B

sisters was saying. She suddenly
turned to look in his direction and smiled. The bobbins clacked as
she set them aside and rushed to his side. “Did you have dinner? Do
you need a drink?”

    “Tell him to
come over here and sit with us.”

    “I’ve eaten.
What are those two hussies chattering?” Her touch resurrected
memories of his father greeting his mother with a kiss. Marshall
barely resisted the impulse to follow suit.

    “They want you
to join them.”

    “Alright, move
over Alyce and one at a time. I refuse to be driven mad for your
evening’s amusement.” Mary watched her husband sit down in between
his pretty sisters and fold his arms in contentment as they each
claimed an ear. She returned to her seat and pretended to work on
her lace as she listened.

    Emily Godfrey
wrapped her hands around her brother’s arm. “We had the most
fantastic day. Auntie Bea took us to a breakfast party that lasted
forever and we met the most amusing man. I think I’m in love…”

    Alyce pulled on
Marshall’s other arm for attention. “He’s ugly, but he’s so rich it
doesn’t matter…”

    Emily scowled
at her sister before continuing. “He’s adorable! He looks just like
a bunny rabbit and he has the most charming personality. You’d like
him Marshall, he’s very kind…”

    “Yes, he
reminds us of you…”

    Marshall met
his wife’s laughing eyes and raised an eyebrow. “Wife, do I look
like a rabbit?” He twitched his lips up and down over his front
teeth and was rewarded by silent laughter as she shook her head.
“My wife doesn’t think I look like a rabbit.”

    Emily pinched
his cheek. “We like your face, you look like Papa.”

    “I’m glad
someone likes my face. So who is this paragon of rabbithood?”

    Alyce pulled on
Marshall’s ear dragging his attention back to her. “Lord
Buckingham; he says the funniest things. We nearly wet ourselves
laughing.”

    Emily scowled
at her mirror image, “I saw him first!”

    “What does it
matter which of us saw him first? The man can’t tell us apart.
Besides, you’d spoil him and make him think he’s handsome. I’m more
ruthless. I’ll ensure he makes something of himself. He could be
prime minister…”

    Marshall
scowled at Alyce. “Don’t be a hussy! A man doesn’t marry so he can
be mauled into political office. You’ll choose a husband and then
leave him well alone. I don’t want him knocking on my door
complaining he can’t sleep or eat for your nagging.”

    Alyce rolled
her eyes. “I won’t need to nag Lord Buckingham. He thinks I’m
beautiful; he’ll worship me with his twenty thousand pounds a year.
And when he inherits his grandfather’s Earldom he’ll have another
ten thousand. I’ll have more money every year than you could save
in five! I’ll have rooms of red dresses…”

    Marshall
growled in anger before shouting, “I don’t care what Lord Rabbit is
worth. Unless it’s a love match you won’t have my blessing.”

    Alyce pouted as
her eyes filled with resentment. “You didn’t marry for love. Why
should we?”

    Marshall’s eyes
narrowed in unhappiness. “Ugly deaf men have to settle for the best
they can buy and hope to find some small pinch of happiness, but I
won’t allow you to marry a rabbit just because his pockets are well
lined. You’ll marry for love or you won’t receive a penny of your
dowry.”

    The kind Emily
looked at her twin in horror as Marshall jumped up off the sofa and
marched out of the room and up the stairs to his bedchamber. All
three women started as a distant door slammed shut. “Shame on you
Alyce Godfrey; you know he’s sensitive. How could you?”

    “He’s being a
hypocrite. He can’t hire a wife from an ad in the paper and not
allow me to marry whoever I please.”

    “Oh Alyce,
don’t be a cow. He’s just trying to protect us because he loves
us.”

    “Well maybe I
don’t want to be protected? I’m nineteen not nine. I don’t need a
governess