Married to the Viscount by Jeffries Sabrina

Author:Jeffries, Sabrina [Jeffries, Sabrina]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9780061747342
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2009-10-13T07:00:00+00:00

Every muscle in Spencer’s body stilled. Despite the king’s rumored liaison with the Lady Steward of his household, the man’s eye always roved.

“Some would call her beautiful, yes,” Spencer said noncommittally, though anger knotted in his gut at the very thought of George casting his lecherous gaze on Abby.

“We should like to meet this American beauty.” His Majesty’s smirk showed he was perfectly aware of Spencer’s sudden jealousy. “For May Day we will be attending Throckmorton’s exclusive fête-champêtre. We understand there will be dancing and a maypole and even fireworks. Surely you were invited, so do bring your pretty wife to present to us. We should like to see how an American manages our quaint dances.”

Spencer couldn’t hide his shock. The king had never so much as expressed a desire to drink tea with him, much less required his attendance at a social engagement. Obliging His Majesty would enhance Spencer’s political career immeasurably.

Except that Abby would never agree to it. If she felt uncomfortable at a smallish private ball, he could only imagine how she’d react to meeting royalty at one of Throckmorton’s lavish May Day feasts. “I’m afraid that isn’t possible, Your Majesty.”

“What?” His Majesty’s eyes narrowed. “And why not? Pray explain how appeasing a whim of your lord and king is ‘not possible’?”

Though Spencer felt the noose closing about his throat, he chafed at having to explain himself, even to the king. “My wife still feels uncomfortable in good society. She was raised very differently in America and needs time to learn our English habits. She’s never been around royalty, for one thing, and—”

“Nonsense, she’ll be fine.” The king’s outrage vanished, replaced by a typical nonchalance. “We aren’t entirely unaware of how Americans behave. We shall overlook any errors of propriety. We merely wish to meet the bold American who managed to capture the heart of one of our most haughty subjects.”

Abby had captured something more volatile than Spencer’s heart—she now held his entire future in her hand. The woman whose favorite pastime was teasing him publicly could easily ruin his political career in one fell swoop.

But that wasn’t what annoyed him about this. What annoyed him was the realization that the king himself had an interest in her. Absurd though it seemed, Spencer didn’t want to share his sham wife with anyone. Not even the man who could destroy him politically.

“I’ll have my man mention to Lady Throckmorton that you and your wife will be attending, Ravenswood,” His Majesty said.

It was not a question. “Yes, Your Majesty,” Spencer said through gritted teeth.

A smug smile curved the king’s fleshy lips. “Oh, and tell your wife to bring that treasure Lady Brumley spoke of in her column this morning. We should like to determine for ourselves if it’s as marvelous as that old battle-ax hints at.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” He must get a copy of Lady Brumley’s column at once to find out what the hell the king was talking about.

Because one thing was certain—Abby had unwittingly made a splash in society.

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