Wicked Read Online Free Page B

pretended he was glad he’d picked her?
    He studied her face and grimaced. “I’ve upset you.”
    “I wasn’t aware that you’d been married so many times. It’s a shock to me.”
    “If I’d told you the truth, I wasn’t sure you’d have come.”
    “What became of all your wives?”
    “They died. What would you suppose?”
    “Well, of course, they died.” She was struggling for calm, for levity. “How silly of me to wonder.”
    “I’ve been blessed with longevity, Miss Ralston, and I’ve been cursed with brides who had frail constitutions. I outlived them all, so on this occasion, I’m determined to settle on someone who is healthy and strong. Miss Peabody swore you had the stamina of a plow horse.”
    “How flattering.” There was more aggravation in her tone than she’d intended.
    “Don’t mock your youth or vigor. They are precisely why I selected you. It’s too late for me to fool with weaklings or ninnies. Miss Peabody promised you would surprise me on both counts.”
    “I hope I can live up to her high opinion.”
    “I hope you can too.” He clasped her hand and patted it. “In all my marriages, I’ve only ever sired one child, and he passed away years ago.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “So that is why you’ve been summoned. I have no time to waste and need an heir—as quickly as it can be managed. In exchange, I will give you all this.” He gestured at the manicured grounds, the grand manor. “It’s a fair bargain, don’t you think?”
    “Yes,” she hesitantly concurred, not knowing what else to say.
    “Heed me, Miss Ralston. I’m older than you and more experienced in these sorts of affairs. This is the best conclusion for you. After you’ve reflected on it, you’ll see that I’m right.”
    “I’m sure I will.”
    They’d arrived at the house, at the steps that led up onto the rear verandah. It was a beautiful day in early summer, and the drawing room windows were open. Male laughter drifted out, and a merry tune was being played on the pianoforte.
    Mr. Oswald frowned and muttered, “Those scalawags. They’re home from the army and at loose ends. No doubt they’re drinking all my liquor and smoking all my cigars.”
    “Who is visiting?”
    “Two of the most disreputable scapegraces who were ever born. You’ll meet them soon enough. Unfortunately.” He guided her up the stairs. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better chase them off.”
    Just that abruptly, he walked away, leaving her alone.
    He stomped inside. She wanted to tag along, wanted to ascertain who was home from the army, but she’d definitely been dismissed, so she didn’t dare follow.
    Yet she was dreadfully curious.
    She’d spent an hour with Mr. Oswald and hadn’t gleaned any information of value. If she’d been a weepy type, tears might have flowed. But she wasn’t weepy. Nor was she prone to melancholy.
    When she’d agreed to Miss Peabody’s scheme, there had been no guarantees of love or affection. There had only been the prospect of marriage and fiscal security, and they were boons that couldn’t be discounted.
    Eager to wash and rest a bit, she started across the verandah, but she couldn’t resist peeking in the window to the drawing room as she passed. There were two men present. Why was she not surprised to discover that one of them was James Talbot?
    He slouched on a sofa, drinking hard spirits. A handsome blond man who was probably his same age was seated at the pianoforte. They looked lazy and bored.
    Since his unexpected appearance in her bedchamber the prior evening, she’d tried to pretend he hadn’t been there. She’d been dying to ask someone about him, but couldn’t figure out how to innocently inquire.
    He’d studied her as if he knew things about her she didn’t know. He’d alluded to Mr. Oswald with a derogatory comment about his being a seducing libertine. Yet she couldn’t envision Mr. Oswald as a roué. He hadn’t seemed flirtatious in the least, and Rose