The Duke Wins a Bride: A Regency Marriage of Convenience Romance (Inconvenient Brides Book 1) by Nina Jarrett

Author:Nina Jarrett [Jarrett, Nina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781957185002
Publisher: Babooks Publishing
Published: 2022-05-29T23:00:00+00:00

The afternoon light shifted slowly across the room as Annabel rolled on her back and rubbed her eyes, groggy from the long hours of lovemaking in Philip’s arms. She stretched her body and felt the evidence of unused muscles fluttering in protest. Philip’s spot on the bed was still warm, indicating she had just missed him arising. She smiled in sated pleasure. Her husband was a delightfully carnal lover. He had shown her many patient lovemaking techniques, to her delight.

She started when she heard a knock on the door. Then gasped in surprise when the door opened to reveal a familiar, cheeky face peeking around it. Annabel grasped the counterpane and pulled it up to her chin.

“Mrs. Harris!”

“Aye, child. It is me.”

“How are you here?”

“Your new husband had a word with Lord Filminster before the two of you left yesterday. The baron was in the pouts. Apparently, my change in position is most inconvenient to him, but he released me last night and I arrived in the second carriage with your trunks. The baron said your husband will pay me an entire quarter’s wages on behalf of his lordship for letting me go without notice. And pay me for the quarter I am to work here. I’m to be rich with two quarters’ worth of wages!”

The housekeeper made her way into the room bearing a laden tray, which she balanced on the end of the bed.

“His Grace organized this before we even left yesterday?”

“Aye, something about his new bride getting her heart’s desire for her wedding day. His lordship complained at length about the duke’s ux—uxo—uxorious nature, whatever that means. I am sorry to say that I believe His Grace had to promise the two of you would visit soon to make it up to the baron for my leaving with no notice or replacement to take over my duties.”

Annabel winced at the idea of one of the baron’s infamous dinners, but quickly brightened and clapped her hands in delight. “I am so happy to see you, Mrs. Harris!” She grew embarrassed a moment later as she realized she was lying under her counterpane and sheets without a stitch of clothing to cover her bare, well-loved form.

“My girl, the duke’s home is quite impressive. My new room is larger than I am used to, and there is a beautiful selection of fine silver to care for. I think I shall like it here. Although there is an ill-tempered butler I need to tame downstairs. He seems to think he knows more than me, but I will set him straight directly!”

“Clinton? He seemed most proper to me.”

Mrs. Harris snorted in dissent. “More like a proper stick up his bum.”

Annabel chuckled at her convivial attendant’s unusual display of ill humor. “Mrs. Harris, I don’t think you can say that. Besides, I thought he was a discreet man with exemplary composure. What did you do to cause his ire?”

Unexpectedly, the older woman colored with a ruddy blush. “Never you mind, duchess, never you mind.

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