Read Online The Seduction of His Wife by Tiffany Clare - Free Book Online

admission.
    “Will you leave again after a month?”
    “My business plans have been ever changing over the past year. One can never be sure what tomorrow will demand of me.”
    Her fingers twisted about a locket dangling over her breast. “Your father always said you’d eventually come home.”
    The old man had been right: There was no escaping his duty as the Earl of Asbury. He could travel to the farthest reaches of civilization, but he’d always come back to his roots. He’d never had an easy relationship with his father, and he certainly didn’t want to think about him now.
    “There are matters aside from my father that we must discuss. Ones I could not mention in the company of others.”
    She seemed to stand straighter, firmer. Ah, she must understand what he wanted of her.
    “You’ll have to break off any relationships you’re in. If I see another man here, it will not make for a pleasant stay for either of us. Also, I expect to resume my marital duties.”
    She visibly swallowed, then turned her head away from him. Her hands clenched the wooden inlay on the top edge of the settee.
    “Do you think you can demand this of me on your arrival?” she asked quietly.
    “I do. I’m your husband.” And he’d be damned if she sought the arms of another now that he was home. “I’ll resume my marital rights starting tonight.”
    Blotches of red covered her neck and cheeks. His wife embarrassed easily. Interesting, considering he’d caught her in a bawds’ den only days ago.
    “I’m to be given no time to adjust to your presence in this household?”
    There wasn’t time. He could be dead tomorrow if someone else were to strike out at him. “I think you’ve had enough time playing the countess without all that that truly entails.”
    “I retire early.” She avoided his eyes. Her gaze darted from wall to window, object to object.
    “Then so shall I.” The golden fringe of her lashes lowered, making it impossible to read the emotions flitting in the green depths of her eyes. He gave her a nod, not that she took notice. “I will see you in an hour for dinner.”
    “Don’t expect to follow me to my bedchamber once dinner has concluded.”
    Richard gave a heavy sigh. Some battles were worth fighting, and some took persuasion and cunning. Cunning was not a word he could use to describe himself whenever he was in the presence of his wife. He didn’t know how to treat a wife. Didn’t know how to speak to her.
    *   *   *
    She stood in her sitting room, staring at nothing. A little dumbstruck by the conversation she’d had with her husband. That was the first real exchange of words between them since their wedding day. Did he really think he could demand she perform to his bidding?
    She sat heavily on the settee, folded her hands in her lap, and took in a deep breath. She had one hour till dinner. She could find a way to ward him off. It was only fair to give her at least a few days, nay, a few weeks to become used to his presence. For heaven’s sake, he hadn’t said more than a few sentences to her in over ten years. What right did he have to come into her bedchamber without so much as asking how do you fare?
    And to accuse her of adultery … the swine!
    She’d had offers from gentlemen over the years. In fact, she had an open invitation with her dearest friend, the Duke of Vane. But she’d never taken him up on the offer, knowing that it would ruin a friendship much more valuable to her than the companionship he offered for a mere night or two.
    Simply put, she wouldn’t stand for Richard’s demands. It was easy enough to lock the doors to her bedchamber.
    First, he would learn to talk civilly to her. And he would learn quickly if he wanted an heir on her. Such a shame their wedding night hadn’t been more fruitful. Not that she would have been ready for a child at fifteen. She’d learned a lot since those early days. Grown a lot.
    The years she’d spent on her own had made her a stronger