Read Online The Perfect Wife by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online Page A

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    “Egypt!” Belinda gasped. “There’s nothing but sand and pyramids and mummies in Egypt! Why in the world would she be going to Egypt?”
    She glared at Erick as if this were somehow his fault. He lounged on the sofa in the front salon and shrugged nonchalantly. “I have no idea, and apparently neither does Father. The message I received from him said simply that she had boarded a ship bound for Alexandria and he was accompanying her.”
    “What! He’s going with her!” Shock widened her sapphire eyes. “Without a chaperone? Without even a servant? It’s scandalous! It will absolutely destroy her reputation! She’ll be the talk of every gossip in the ton!”
    Belinda’s voice rose and Erick eyed her cautiously. “Darling, I think your fears on that score are groundless. My father is an honorable man and he is with her only for her protection.”
    “Hah!” She threw him a scathing glance. “I’ve heard the talk about your father. He has a sterling reputation when it comes to diplomatic matters, but he’s equally well known as a womanizer and a rake!”
    “Belinda!” Shock rang in Erick’s voice. “I daresay—”
    “Don’t you ‘daresay’ me, Erick,” she snapped. “You know as well as I do that his conquests at the courts of Europe were not restricted to treaties and government alliances. He was not what I, or anyone else for that matter, would consider discreet. And since his return to England he’s already well known for his exploits with women.” Outrage sparked in her voice. “And respectable is not a term I would apply to many of them!”
    “Enough!” Erick leapt to his feet, drawing himself up in his best imposing manner. “I will not have my father slandered like this!”
    “Slandered!” she sputtered. “I hardly think the truth could be considered slander!”
    The two glared at each other for a long, tense moment. Anger and confusion battled in Erick. He had no idea how they’d gotten to this point. He understood her concern over her mother, but to suggest his father would take advantage of her was ridiculous. Belinda was far too overset to view the situation calmly. Why, she even had him up at arms, and all he wanted to do right now was wring her lovely neck. He would never hit a woman, of course. Still, Belinda could drive a rational man to completely irrational acts.
    Within moments, the icy sparks in her eyes dissolved and her expression turned contrite. “Oh, Erick, I’m so sorry.” She flew across the room and into his arms. Her supple form melted into his, and they sank back upon the sofa. His anger disappeared, banished by her intoxicating scent and the warmth of her body next to his.
    He gathered her near and she sighed, snuggling closer. The touch of her breasts against his chest quickened his blood and he groaned to himself, all thoughts of her mother and his father forgotten.
    “I did not mean to offend you, truly I didn’t.” She tilted her angelic face up toward his, her eyes misted by tears, her lips full and inviting. “I am so very worried.”
    “I know, darling.” Just one kiss, he thought, simply to calm her. His lips brushed hers and he marveled at the pliant softness of her mouth, the way her lips opened slightly and the heady feel of her breath joined with his. Obviously, she needed more comfort than one insignificant kiss could provide. As her
fiancé, it was his responsibility—nay, his duty—to help her as much as possible. A duty he was more than willing to sacrifice himself for.
    He feathered kisses along the line of her jaw until she moaned softly. Her head fell back, and he noted with satisfaction the dreamy look in her eyes.
    It was ever so hard to concentrate when he kissed her, Belinda thought, but nice; very, very nice. He found a sensitive spot just below her ear and she gasped. She had no idea anything could feel quite so delicious. Lightly, he ran his lips down her neck, and her muscles dissolved in a warm puddle of trembling