Read Online The Earl Claims His Wife by Cathy Maxwell - Free Book Online

turned to her. “My father doesn’t want me there. He believes there is no political advantage and wants me to accept an ambassadorship to Holland. It doesn’t carry the political costs of the position Liverpool is offering.”
    “And you don’t want to be an ambassador?”
    “Absolutely not. I’d rather count bullets and boots for our fighting men than sip tea with diplomats.”
    Gillian ran her fingers over the velvet muff between them, considering this information. “It helps that my father is one of Lord Liverpool’s mentors.”
    “It does,” he agreed, his voice carefully neutral.
    “I know his lordship. He’s always been kind to me.”
    “He has,” her husband agreed.
    Thoughtfully, Gillian brushed over the velvet before reaching a decision. She raised her gaze to his.
    “If I help you, what will you do for me?”
    “So it has come to that between us. Tit for tat. Very well, Gillian, what is it you want?”
    “My freedom, Wright. What I’ve always wanted.”
    “I won’t give you a divorce,” he insisted. “I can’t.”
    “Yes, you can,” she challenged. “If you take on a position as a member of Liverpool’s staff, you will be able to do anything…quietly. So there’s my price, Wright.”
    “What if I don’t?”
    She smiled. “Then I shall make such a noise and fuss over our marriage that no one shall want you around them. I’ll disgrace you, Wright, and I’ll leave you anyway.” Who would have thought four years ago that she’d have so much power?
    His gaze narrowed. She braced herself for a broadside of anger.
    Instead, he drew back into his corner of the coach on that observation. For a long moment, he was silent. “Very well,” he said at last.
    “Very well, what?” Gillian pressed.
    He leaned toward her. “You help me succeed at gaining the position I want on Liverpool’s staff, and I will give you your freedom.”
    He had agreed . She was stunned. She could be with Andres.
    “But for now, you must play the adoring wife,” Wright reminded her. “And you must do it convincingly.”
    “I’m a marvelous actress,” she assured him, her spirits soaring with happiness.
    “Then it is a pact,” Wright said. He held out his hand.
    “Yes, a pact,” she agreed, taking his hand and giving it a firm shake.
    Wright laughed and then brought her fingers to his lips. “You are a formidable opponent, my lady,”
    he murmured before brushing a light kiss to the back of her hand. He released his hold before she could protest.
    For a second, she sensed a trap. She hadn’t anticipated his capitulation to her demands would be this easy. Then again, he believed in his cause. It meant more to him than her.
    Wright lowered the window and leaned out. Gillian had not noticed how dark the day was growing until now. “Pull over at the next decent-looking inn,” Wright ordered George. He sat back into the coach. “There should be someplace to rest our heads coming up here shortly.”
    She nodded. This had been a tiring day, one filled with highs and lows. Besides, she never liked traveling in the dark.
    They didn’t speak then, each lost in their own thoughts. Gillian’s were on Andres. She could not wait to write and tell him the good news. Perhaps she could post a letter from the inn.
    A few minutes later, the coach turned off the main road, stopping at the Bear’s Hollow, a cozy inn located a half mile off the main road. George had known of the place. He told them it was clean and without frills, which was perfectly fine. Gillian was exhausted by the day’s emotions. She longed for nothing more than her dinner and a good night’s sleep.
    The innkeeper, Mr. Peters, had a nephew serving under Wellington. He had heard of the dashing Colonel Lord Wright and was honored to have them for guests.
    Gillian waited in the coach while Wright made the arrangements. He came out to escort her inside.
    “You’ll want some privacy. I’ll wait for you downstairs.” Mr. Peters led her