Read Anne Ashley for Free Online Page B

well-muscled frame of his.
    Whenever he was in company he resembled nothing so much as the
light-minded profligate the gossips had painted him since his return from the
Peninsula. Yet, on other occasions, when they had chanced to be alone, she had
thought she had detected a look in those attractive grey eyes of his that had
betrayed innate wisdom, an expression flickering over those distinctly
aristocratic features that had strongly suggested the shallow care-for-nobody
attitude might well be assumed. But if so, why on earth should he wish the world
to think so poorly of him? There must be some reason behind the feigned
triviality, surely? Or was he merely putting on an act for his own
amusement?
    ‘Something appears to be troubling you, m’dear? I sincerely
trust you are not regretting so soon the vows you made? That would be
unfortunate indeed.’
    So, the drawl, too, had returned, had it? That most certainly
was assumed for her benefit, and the benefit of others, of course, Briony
decided, favouring him with her full attention. ‘And I sincerely trust you do
not give me cause to regret having uttered them,’ she parried, never having been
afraid to speak her mind, at least where he was concerned. Which was most
strange, now that she came to consider the matter.
    She could hardly admit to their having become friends during
the past month. Perhaps the most she could own to was that, over certain
matters, they were well on the way to achieving a better understanding and
drawing up boundaries beyond which the other was prepared not to tread. For
instance, he had made it perfectly plain that he had no intention of completely
changing his lifestyle, merely because he had been prepared to relinquish his
bachelor state; he had every intention of making visits to the capital during
the next six months. For her part Briony didn’t object to this in the least. Not
only would it offer her the golden opportunity to come and go as she pleased,
without having to respect another’s wishes, but it would no doubt make him
easier to live with if he was able to visit his present mistress whenever the
inclination happened to take him.
    In fact, he had travelled to London on one occasion already
during the past month. Although she wouldn’t have gone so far as to say she had
been glad to see the back of him, it certainly hadn’t aroused the least
resentment or jealousy in her breast to see him go. Whether he had taken the
opportunity to visit his mistress or not she had no way of knowing, but he most
definitely hadn’t been idle during his time away. He had arranged for several of
his personal belongings to be brought down to Dorsetshire and had installed two
of his own servants at the Manor.
    ‘No, nothing is troubling me,’ she assured him cordially,
determined to do her part to keep their relationship as affable as possible,
‘except, perhaps, trifling domestic concerns. I trust you’ll find the master
bedchamber to your liking. I hope you approve the colour scheme.’
    ‘I’m sure I shall. And so long as my own bed has been installed
in there I’m certain I’ll be comfortable.’
    ‘It arrived earlier in the week,’ she was able to assure him,
‘and has been made up with fresh linen and merely awaits its master.’
    All at once there was a hint of an unnerving sparkle in those
grey eyes of his. ‘All this talk of bed, madam wife, might give me every reason
to suppose you’re eager to get me in there.’
    Now, how was she supposed to react to that piece of deliberate
provocation? Briony wondered, deciding to nip such foolishness on his part in
the bud. ‘What time you choose to retire, sir, is entirely your own concern.’
She rose to her feet. ‘But I have eaten my fill and so shall bid you good
evening and leave you to your port.’
    ‘There’s no need for you to scurry away like a frightened
rabbit.’ Although the drawl had disappeared completely, his eyes retained a
glimmer of something, possibly a challenge