The Wicked Husband by Mary Lancaster

Author:Mary Lancaster
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-01-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

ALTHOUGH WILLA DIDN’T quite understand why Dax had left her, by the following morning, she had decided that it was a good thing. He was holding back out of gentlemanly respect for her position. He would not take advantage until he was sure it was what she wanted. She was sure now that he cared a little, that in spite of everything, he’d wanted her as Willa, not just a conveniently available female.

Her heart sang as she rose and breakfasted in the sitting room, for at last, she truly believed that a lasting happiness was possible for them.

“Is his lordship here?” she inquired of Carson, as he emerged from Dax’s bedchamber with a bag of laundry.

“Sleeping it off, m’lady,” Carson said cheerfully.

“Oh.”

It was a little thing. Gentlemen overindulged, and Dax was…well, he was Dax and she’d never wanted to change him. And so, she dressed for the day, with Clara’s help, and sallied forth to meet Kate and some other ladies of the parish who were raising funds to help injured soldiers returning from the war.

When she came back to the hotel after luncheon, there was no sign of Dax or Carson. Clara told her they’d gone out, though she didn’t know where. Willa hid her disappointment—she’d been looking forward with new excitement to seeing Dax again—and settled down to read her new book from the circulating library.

Clara blurted, “I saw Jem in town, m’lady.”

Willa dropped her book into her lap. “Did he threaten you? Try to abduct you again?”

“Well, no, he didn’t even see me. I ducked into the draper’s shop until he was past.”

Willa nodded approval. “Maybe you shouldn’t go out without Carson, for now. Or Dan if he’s still here.”

“He is. He seems to think he has to serve his lordship until his wound is better.”

“I don’t think that can be his reason,” Willa argued. “No one would know his lordship had ever been wounded, he pays so little attention to it. I suspect Dan stays because of you.”

“It’ll do him no good,” Clara said stubbornly. “It’s over between us and so I’ve told him.”

“Very well,” Willa said peaceably, picking up her book again. “Just be careful when you go out, and if Jem gives you any trouble, we’ll set the magistrate on him.”

Half an hour later, a knock sounded at the outer door. Clara went to open it and admitted a young woman who moved with such languid elegance Willa was surprised she didn’t fall down.

Willa rose, accepting the card Clara conveyed from her visitor. Mrs. Helena Holt. Never having heard of her, Willa walked forward with her usual friendliness.

“Mrs. Holt,” she greeted her. “How do you do?”

“How do you do, Lady Daxton,” the visitor replied, smiling. Truly, she was dazzling—a little like Kate was, only fair where Kate was dark. And her eyes, although warm and curious, gave little away. “Forgive the intrusion, but when I heard about your marriage, I just had to come and congratulate Dax. We have known each other forever.”

“You are very welcome, ma’am, only I’m afraid Dax isn’t here.

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