Read Online Tempting Bella (Entangled Scandalous) by Diana Quincy - Free Book Online
Authors: Diana Quincy
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it.”
“Perhaps, the children part and certainly a husband.” But hardly adoring. She forced the melancholy away. “Tell me about your wife. I’m curious to know what sort of woman would capture your attentions.”
An admiring warmth glazed his eyes. “In truth, I am just beginning to know her.”
“Are you newly married?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
And yet he was here, keeping company with her. “Was it a love match?”
“Our fathers arranged the union. We didn’t meet until shortly before our nuptials. I admit to being angry and resentful at first.” His expression turned tender. “But I’m coming to seeing the rightness of their decision.”
Bella’s heart did a clumsy flop at the obvious affection in his voice when he spoke of his wife. “You have come to care for her.”
His lips curved upward, that lone dimple on his cheek deepening. “Yes, indeed. More so each day. I’m coming to realize how remarkable she truly is.”
Jealousy slashed a jagged path inside her stomach. She’d misinterpreted his feelings. He obviously cared for his wife. “She is most fortunate.”
His smile took a cynical curve. “I am not certain she would agree. And what of your husband?”
She shrugged and turned away to continue walking along the path. “Honestly, I don’t know him. We were married when I was just a child. I had no hand in it. I barely knew what was happening at the time.”
“Do you resent it?” Urgency edged his voice. “Has he restricted your freedom?”
The helpless anger she always felt at her husband’s abandonment reared within her. “No, he has given me freedom quite by accident I think, through his neglect.”
“Neglect?”
“I doubt he cares. Even for my innocence. He would not have sent me away and kept me away for so long if he did.” She forced a harsh laugh. “He didn’t even bother to send a suitable chaperone to ensure my decorum. I am a complication that he must endure to have what he truly wants.”
Stan’s entire body stiffened, a disturbing energy radiated off him. “And what is that, do you think?”
His reaction warmed her. How kind of him to be angry on her behalf. “My dowry, the kind of influence and consequence the nephew of a marquess could never have dreamed of.”
The lines in his face deepened into a grave frown. “Perhaps once the two of you are acquainted, you will develop a better understanding of his true nature.”
“You are a good and kind man.” A feeling of tenderness welled up in her. “You could never understand someone such as my husband. Sebastian has made his true nature known simply by his absence. I haven’t seen him since our wedding day.”
The skin over his angular jaw stretched taut. “It is possible you have misjudged his intentions.”
“Your generosity of spirit toward my husband is truly that of a fine gentleman.”
He halted and planted his hands on his hips. “This has gone on long enough.” He exhaled in a slow deliberate motion, as though he needed to draw strength. “Bella, there is something I must tell you.”
Nerves twisted in her chest at his somber expression. Suddenly, she felt wary. She didn’t want to know what he had to say. “Enough serious talk.” Anxious to change the subject, she eyed the picnic basket in his hand and forced gaiety into her voice. “What have you got there? I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”
“I must tell you the truth…about my wife. About who I am.”
“No.” She shook her head forcefully. No truths mattered. After today, she would return to her husband. She wouldn’t see Stan again. She didn’t need to know anything about him. “Just for today, let us enjoy this afternoon. Reality will intrude eventually, but not just yet. Let us just enjoy a meal among the flowers and sunshine.”
His tense expression softened. Following her lead, he said, “I believe my cook has prepared cold chicken, cheese, bread, and some tarts for dessert.”
They found a spot
“Perhaps, the children part and certainly a husband.” But hardly adoring. She forced the melancholy away. “Tell me about your wife. I’m curious to know what sort of woman would capture your attentions.”
An admiring warmth glazed his eyes. “In truth, I am just beginning to know her.”
“Are you newly married?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
And yet he was here, keeping company with her. “Was it a love match?”
“Our fathers arranged the union. We didn’t meet until shortly before our nuptials. I admit to being angry and resentful at first.” His expression turned tender. “But I’m coming to seeing the rightness of their decision.”
Bella’s heart did a clumsy flop at the obvious affection in his voice when he spoke of his wife. “You have come to care for her.”
His lips curved upward, that lone dimple on his cheek deepening. “Yes, indeed. More so each day. I’m coming to realize how remarkable she truly is.”
Jealousy slashed a jagged path inside her stomach. She’d misinterpreted his feelings. He obviously cared for his wife. “She is most fortunate.”
His smile took a cynical curve. “I am not certain she would agree. And what of your husband?”
She shrugged and turned away to continue walking along the path. “Honestly, I don’t know him. We were married when I was just a child. I had no hand in it. I barely knew what was happening at the time.”
“Do you resent it?” Urgency edged his voice. “Has he restricted your freedom?”
The helpless anger she always felt at her husband’s abandonment reared within her. “No, he has given me freedom quite by accident I think, through his neglect.”
“Neglect?”
“I doubt he cares. Even for my innocence. He would not have sent me away and kept me away for so long if he did.” She forced a harsh laugh. “He didn’t even bother to send a suitable chaperone to ensure my decorum. I am a complication that he must endure to have what he truly wants.”
Stan’s entire body stiffened, a disturbing energy radiated off him. “And what is that, do you think?”
His reaction warmed her. How kind of him to be angry on her behalf. “My dowry, the kind of influence and consequence the nephew of a marquess could never have dreamed of.”
The lines in his face deepened into a grave frown. “Perhaps once the two of you are acquainted, you will develop a better understanding of his true nature.”
“You are a good and kind man.” A feeling of tenderness welled up in her. “You could never understand someone such as my husband. Sebastian has made his true nature known simply by his absence. I haven’t seen him since our wedding day.”
The skin over his angular jaw stretched taut. “It is possible you have misjudged his intentions.”
“Your generosity of spirit toward my husband is truly that of a fine gentleman.”
He halted and planted his hands on his hips. “This has gone on long enough.” He exhaled in a slow deliberate motion, as though he needed to draw strength. “Bella, there is something I must tell you.”
Nerves twisted in her chest at his somber expression. Suddenly, she felt wary. She didn’t want to know what he had to say. “Enough serious talk.” Anxious to change the subject, she eyed the picnic basket in his hand and forced gaiety into her voice. “What have you got there? I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”
“I must tell you the truth…about my wife. About who I am.”
“No.” She shook her head forcefully. No truths mattered. After today, she would return to her husband. She wouldn’t see Stan again. She didn’t need to know anything about him. “Just for today, let us enjoy this afternoon. Reality will intrude eventually, but not just yet. Let us just enjoy a meal among the flowers and sunshine.”
His tense expression softened. Following her lead, he said, “I believe my cook has prepared cold chicken, cheese, bread, and some tarts for dessert.”
They found a spot
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