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

ball. Sir Jeremy is in the drawing room with your aunt and ready to leave.” Mavis’s face had turned white with apprehension that Bethlyn would soon engage in another foolhardy escapade to gain the attention of her absent husband.
    Bethlyn threw down a ruby necklace, one of her anniversary presents, like it was a piece of rubbish. “Look at this!” she cried and turned from her dressing table in a huff, the blue satin of her robe swishing in her wake. “Another one of ‘my husband’s gifts’ to me, but where is the wretched man? This trinket can’t keep me warm on cold nights or give me the children I long for. He bought me and placed me on a shelf, having found no use for me. I’ve done practically everything but parade in the buff along the Thames. If I thought that would gain my husband’s attentions, I’d gladly disrobe. But I must finally admit that Ian Briston has denied my existence. Well, not any longer, Mavis, do you hear! Not a moment longer.”
    With her mind made up on that score, Bethlyn rushed from the room and down the white oak staircase and into the drawing room, very much aware of Penny’s shocked intake of breath and Jeremy’s gale of amused laughter at her state of dishabille.
    “Young lady, you’re disgraceful!” Penelope rebuked.
    “Hurry upstairs and dress. Jeremy doesn’t wish to see you like this.”
    “I do, Grandmama,” Jeremy said. ‘‘I’d wager that I’m the only gentleman in London to see Bethlyn in her robe, and damn if I don’t like it!” A suspicious gleam danced in his eyes and he tapped Penelope on the shoulder. “She’s up to something.”
    “Oh, no!” proclaimed Penelope. “What now? I do so dread having to write my nephew another letter.”
    “Rest assured that this time I shall spare you your letter writing chore, Aunt Penny,” Bethlyn spoke and managed a tight smile. “Since my husband has shown an appalling lack of good manners by ignoring your letters and the letter from Thomas Eversley, I find I have no other choice but to sail to the Colonies and face the man in person. Before this year is over, I shall discover if I’m to be his true wife. The time has arrived for a face-to-face confrontation.”
    Penelope placed a frail hand on her heart. “Don’t do this, child. Accept things for what they are. I fear you’ll regret this trip. What if he doesn’t want you?”
    Bethlyn lifted a silk clad shoulder in a shrug. “I shall order him to release me from the marriage. I believe that when he realizes my situation, he’ll agree to an annulment because I’ll specify that he can keep control of his company. Fear of losing it might be the reason he hasn’t answered any letters. He loves Briston Shipping more than any woman, I think. He married me to retain it. And I feel he is a kind man, considering.” Bethlyn remembered how solicitous he’d been when she became ill, that he was the only one to help her. Still, that one kindness didn’t make up for years of neglect.
    “You’d do well to consider this some more,” Jeremy advised her. “With the American privateers preying on English ships, you might find yourself in a great deal of danger.” His caution surprised her. Usually they agreed on everything, and Jeremy could always be counted upon not to put a damper on her plans. How could he not see she was desperate? She’d told him often enough of her desire for a real home, a husband and children, that she wasn’t growing any younger. She thought he’d understand.
    “I agree.” Penelope nodded sagely.
    “Well, I don’t! I’ve wasted six years of my life, years when I could have been a wife, a mother. Does the man think he can deny me children? Must I bed someone else and pass the children off as his? Do you think he’d accept them and support them? I sincerely doubt he’d be amenable to such folly.” Bethlyn’s face flushed, and she turned her impassioned gaze upon Jeremy. “I thought you were my friend. Whether I have your