Read Online My Naughty Minette by Annabel Joseph - Free Book Online

Warren and Josephine and Mrs. Everly afterward. Even worse, she had to share the coach to Barrymore Park with her new mother-in-law, who frowned at her the entire way.
    Oh, there was nothing for it. Her wedding day had been a disaster, nothing like the sort of day she’d hoped.
    Now she was Wilhelmina Anne Randolph, the Countess of Augustine, married to Method Edwin Randolph, which was such a strange name for a person they’d always called August. Method? A method for what? Who would name their child such a thing? At least she knew Barrymore Park well, having been there on more than a few occasions with her brother. It wasn’t really August’s house, but his parents’. Lady Barrymore introduced her to the housekeeper as Lady Augustine and both the women’s noses seemed to pinch in distaste. Minette was then ensconced in a rather distant wing, pending refurbishments, Lady Barrymore said. When they nearly “forgot” to fetch her for dinner, Minette had the lowering suspicion she’d been placed in the distant wing by design.
    Do not lose your nerve now
, she chided herself.
You must be a pleasant, amiable wife, like Josephine is with Warren, or Aurelia with Townsend. You must smile and bring happiness to your husband’s home and your husband’s world.
    And yes, she would go to bed with him, even if the process puzzled her. Even if it hurt. She waited in her prettiest night dress for him to come to her after dinner, but the hours ticked on into evening and then nighttime, and he didn’t come.
    Perhaps he imagined she wouldn’t welcome him, after their awkward encounter Hallowe’en night. Perhaps he’d gotten lost on the way to her rooms, as she was so far removed from the main areas of the house. Well, she had never been one to shrink about and allow matters to go awry. They were married now. At the very least they ought to say good night to one another, and if there were other words that must be said, Minette was not afraid to say them.
    She pulled a robe over her night dress and proceeded into the hall. A footman stood just down from her door. “Will you take me to my husband?” she asked. “Lord Augustine,” she clarified hastily, in case the servant was not well informed.
    They began the great trek back toward the main house, and once they arrived, the footman took her downstairs to the library. Why, it was nearly eleven o’clock, but Lord August was there, laboring over correspondence. “Lady Augustine,” the footman announced, before turning on his heel and shutting the door.
    Goodness, these haughty servants. She turned to August with a smile. “Are you working tonight, on your wedding night?”
    “I had a few matters to attend to.” His face revealed new lines in the lamplight. He did not put down his pen.
    Minette tried to think of something to say that might soften the tension around his eyes. She found her voice had left her for the first time in a while.
    “How are your rooms?” he asked.
    Distant
, she thought.
Like your expression.
“They are very well, for temporary rooms,” she said aloud.
    “Yes, temporary. We’ll find you something better. There were plans for refurbishments, but no wedding was expected until next year.”
    “Oh.” She swallowed hard. “I want to thank you for...for your sacrifice today. In marrying me.”
    “Let’s not call it a sacrifice, as that sounds rather grim. I married you out of duty, and respect for your honor. And so your brother wouldn’t kill me,” he added as an afterthought. “We shall attempt to make the best of things.”
    “Yes,” she said, seizing on his words. “I want to make the best of things. I want you to know I’m completely recovered from our... Well. I want you to know that I won’t shrink from my marital duties.”
    A corner of his lip quirked up, not that he looked very mirthful. “Such noble bravery won’t be necessary. You’re doubtless tired after our busy day, and I must finish this correspondence before I leave for