Read Online Pirate's Bride (Liberty's Ladies) by Lynette Vinet - Free Book Online

light. “However if you listen to Aunt Penny, you’d swear I was going to the devil, and Jeremy along with me.” She squeezed Jeremy’s arm affectionately.
    Thomas cocked an eyebrow, wondering if there was something more to this relationship between Bethlyn and young Smithers other than friendship. He’d make a dutiful report to the earl about his daughter because he felt he must, but he felt a bit of surprise at the stab of jealousy coursing through him at the thought that Bethlyn Briston might be Smithers’s mistress. Of course, she was married, but the marriage was in name only. If Briston was fool enough not to care about his wife, Thomas wasn’t. This exquisite creature who casually lounged on the settee and picked up a large Persian cat to fondle filled Thomas with lust. And he hadn’t felt lust in some time. How propitious for him that his wife had died just six months ago. Maybe, just maybe if he could convince Lady Bethlyn of his worth, he might be able to coerce her into his bed. Just to think such a thought caused him to harden instantly and he retook his seat and placed a napkin over the bulge so no one would notice.
    “Our ride this morning was quite invigorating,” Jeremy said and kissed Penelope on the forehead. “You really should have Winston bring round the carriage. The days now are quite lovely and warm.”
    “Posh! I’m an old lady and take delight sitting in my garden. I don’t need a jostling carriage ride through the streets of London for amusement. I get enough of that from you two scamps to last me a lifetime.”
    Bethlyn’s mischievous giggle drifted towards them. “You know you love us, Aunt Penny.”
    The old woman smiled warmly. “I admit it. I do.”
    Thomas glanced at his watch fob and rose from the chair. “I have to get back to the office. Thank you so much for the tea, Lady Penelope.”
    Penelope extended a hand for Thomas to kiss. “My pleasure, sir. Bethlyn, see Mr. Eversley to the door.”
    Moments later, Bethlyn stood by the front door with Thomas. “Has Aunt Penny filled your head with my latest escapade?”
    “She has.”
    “Dear Auntie. She worries so about me.” Bethlyn bit at her lower lip. “How is my father?”
    “Not well, my lady. He suffers from the cold quite a bit, and stays locked in his room mostly. His health is failing, and I fear that soon…”
    “He shall die,” Bethlyn finished.
     “Would you care?”
    “I don’t know.” For a second she lowered her head, and when she raised it, Thomas noticed an anger in her eyes. “How is my husband?”
    “I can’t say,” Thomas truthfully admitted, finding himself swaying nearer to her, quelling the insane desire to kiss her full, sensual mouth. He coughed. “We don’t correspond directly.”
    “I trust he has heard of my escapades. Aunt Penny, I believe, writes him quite often about me and no doubt begs him to do the right thing by me and take me to wife. But the bounder has never replied to any of her letters, I wonder if he’d reply to me.”
    “I’m certain he would, my lady. You are his wife.”
    “I’m not,” Bethlyn replied with a hiss in her voice. “And I need your help to rectify a mistake which my father and stepmother made six years ago.”
    Thomas’s blood turned cold, then warmed, instantly realizing the import of her words. “I shall do anything I can, my lady.” And he would.
    Rearing back on her booted heels, Bethlyn shot him a devastatingly lovely smile. “I wish you to write to my husband in my name and demand that he either agree to have this marriage annulled or live up to becoming my husband in all ways. Every way,” she emphasized. “I want children, and without a husband I refuse to bear them in disgrace. He must release me so that I can marry again, and hang any scandal this action may incur. I want my freedom, sir, or I want to be a wife. He must make up his mind. If not, please assure him that my scandalous behavior so far will seem as child’s play