A Deceptive Wager by Ruth Ann Nordin

Author:Ruth Ann Nordin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love, sex, deception, regency romance, virgin heroine, virgin hero, victorian romance, wager, gentlemans bet, reluctant groom
Publisher: Ruth Ann Nordin

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“What do you mean that you have to take a leave of absence?” Aaron asked Miss Britcher the next morning when she came up to him in the drawing room. “And where is my wife? She should be with you.”

Miss Britcher gave a slight shake of her head that reminded him of a mother who had caught her child talking out of turn. “Lord Northton, your wife is currently taking a bath. I made sure she was alone before I left her in her bedchamber.”

He frowned. “But someone could go into the bedchamber while you’re down here talking to me.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Do you hire servants who are likely to take advantage of the mistress of the house?”

“Of course not.”

“Then I don’t see why you worry about her virtue while she’s bathing.”

“Someone could sneak in through a window.”

She let out a sigh so loud that he was sure she intended for him to notice so he’d know she was growing frustrated with him, but he chose to ignore it.

She turned toward Mr. Stonewall. “Would you go outside and stop anyone who tries to climb the walls to get to Lady Northton’s window?”

Aaron felt a scowl cross his face. “Do you find that humorous?”

“I find nothing about this situation with your wife humorous,” she replied.

As Mr. Stonewall made his way to the door, Aaron called out, “There’s no need to go out there. This conversation won’t take long.” He turned his gaze back to Miss Britcher. “When will you return today?”

“I won’t return today,” she replied.

“Why not?” he asked, not hiding his surprise.

“The matter with my nephew is a serious one,” she said. “The poor boy has been terrified by nightmares all through the night. It’ll take at least a few days to calm him,” she said.

“A few days?”

“At least. You haven’t met my nephew, but he requires more attention than most children. This isn’t something I have any control over. If he doesn’t have sufficient care around him, there’s no telling what will happen.”

“I thought you had a sister. You said you’re the one who works.”

“Yes, but even she can only do so much. In this instance, I must be with her.” She shot him a pointed look. “You wouldn’t want me to neglect my duties as his aunt in his time of need, would you?”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

He’d never ask an aunt, or any caregiver, to neglect a child. How often had he resented the fact that his mother had cared more about her pleasures than him? It was commendable that Miss Britcher was so attentive to her nephew. He didn’t know anything about the lad, but he figured the lad was probably ten or younger, judging by the books she and Kitty had taken from his library.

“Who will be chaperoning my wife while you are gone?” he asked.

“You will, my lord.”

“Me?”

She nodded in a way that let him know she was determined it be this way.

“But I hired you to do it,” Aaron argued. “The least you can do is find someone to fill in for you.

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