Keepsake (The Distinguished Rogues Book 5) by Heather Boyd

Author:Heather Boyd [Boyd, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: LLD Press
Published: 2014-09-07T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Miranda hated her husband with a renewed passion that eclipsed her previous ill feeling toward him. He’d stolen her possessions from Mivart’s Hotel and brought them here of all places. He had every keepsake of Christopher’s childhood beneath his roof. He’d suspect Christopher’s existence if he looked through her trunks. He would ask questions. If she couldn’t distract him and he learned she’d borne him a son, he would demand to see him immediately.

She stared up bitterly at the façade of Taverham’s London residence. Martin led the way, helping her out of the carriage and uttering soothing words of encouragement and cautioning her not to worry too much. He’d endured without complaint the brunt of her temper and despair that afternoon since the discovery of Christopher’s disappearance and the shock of Taverham’s theft, only muttering an occasional reminder that she needed to calm herself.

“Remember what I said.” Martin drew closer so his words would not carry. “If you feel threatened in any way, you may come to me no matter the hour. I’ll alert my staff to shelter you should I be away from home.”

Miranda gripped Martin’s hand tightly. “I will. Thank you. I will endure the first night.”

Martin snorted. “Hardly your first night in Taverham’s bed, is it?”

She smacked his chest as she saw the humor lighting his eyes. She had confided in him about sharing a bed with the marquess before marriage, and when Christopher had come along he’d never judged her for being a silly fool. “Mind your manners. That was the past, not the future.”

He shook his head. “My dear, you are the most confusing woman I’ve ever met. Behave and all will be well.”

“Am I not always a proper lady?”

“Always, and I will challenge any man who dares besmirch your character by saying otherwise.” He let her go. “I will send out discreet inquiries tonight and I will call on you tomorrow to strategize our next step. Now go in, smile at your husband, and don’t let him see how upset you are unless you plan to be truthful at last.”

Miranda drew in a deep breath. “He won’t fool me into confiding in him. He’ll never even notice my distress.”

Martin shooed her inside without another word.

Miranda climbed the stairs to Taverham’s house, Peter Landry trailing behind, and before she could even knock the door was flung open. Beyond the butler, Taverham stood waiting. She crossed the threshold and let out a breath, surprised to find herself relieved.

She handed her bonnet and gloves and reticule to the butler. He was familiar to her—Addison, she thought his name was, but couldn’t be sure. “Thank you.”

When she raised her eyes and met Taverham’s, her world tilted just the slightest amount. Last night she’d made him wild for her and retreated before he could claim more intimacies. Tonight? Miranda didn’t think he’d let her escape him twice. She was too tired, too upset, to worry about what he might do next.

A growled wife was all the greeting she received.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.