Read Online Wanted: Mail-Order Mistress by Deborah Hale - Free Book Online

town. Would you like that?”
    He knew her answer almost before the question was out of his mouth. Her whole face lit up with a winsome glow that took his breath away. “I’d love it!
    She started towards him was if she meant to throw her arms around his neck. But before she could complete the impulsive gesture, she caught herself and jerked back.
    Simon stifled a pang of disappointment. Perhaps an unguarded overture of that sort had led to the loss of her virtue. He must help her overcome such troubling memories and show her she had nothing to fear from him.
    “Can Rosalia come with us?” she asked. “I’m sure she would enjoy a drive.”
    Simon bit back an impatient reply. “Another time, perhaps. I don’t like to upset her nursery routine.”
    For a moment Bethan looked as though she might argue his decision, but when she spoke it was only to ask, “Should I change clothes first?”
    Simon swept a glance over her as she rose from her chair. Her high-waisted muslin gown had an air of elegant simplicity that he liked very much. The colour reminded him of the unripe apples he and his brother had once hurled at each other in the orchard of his boyhood home.
    “You look fine.” He rose and offered her his arm. “Better than fine. All you’ll need is a hat and a parasol.”
    What Simon neglected to mention was that there would be no need for her to dress up. He didn’t expect to meet anyone on their little jaunt. Most of his acquaintances would be dining at this hour, then going for a stroll or a drive afterwards. He wanted to spare Bethan the necessity of introductions that might prove awkward,especially since their arrangement was still not fully settled.
    His plan worked perfectly. When they drove up North Bridge Road a short time later, the street was quite deserted.
    Bethan did not appear to notice. Perched beside him on the seat of the gharry, she peered about, trying to looking in every direction at once, firing questions at him. “What is this great empty space doing in the middle of town? Is it the market square?”
    Simon shook his head. “At present its only function is to provide the sepoys with a parade ground.” He pointed towards the military encampment at the base of the hill. “Our founder designated this part of town for public buildings. Originally he wanted them on the north bank of the river. But since that was the best commercial land, we merchants built our godowns there and Raffles was obliged to alter his plans.”
    “So trade is more important than government in Singapore?” Bethan flashed him an impudent grin that Simon could not resist returning.
    “Without trade, how would those fine public buildings be paid for?”
    She chuckled. “I think that makes sense. What about all those fine white houses overlooking the shore—do they all belong to important merchants like you?”
    There could be no mistaking the sincere admiration in her tone when she referred to him as important. Simon’s chest swelled.
    “Most of my neighbours are merchants. The lot on my right belongs to Carlos Quintéra, the local agent fora large Calcutta firm. Others are officials, like the Surgeon, Dr Moncrieff.” He nodded toward one of four houses facing into the square on the shore side.
    They drove past the soldiers’ encampment, taking a carriage road that wound around Government Hill.
    “Where are we going?” asked Bethan.
    Simon cast her a sidelong glance. “I want to show you the best view in Singapore. Several of the best, in fact.”
    “I’m certain they’ll be very fine indeed. I can’t get over the size of some of the trees here.” Plucking Simon’s arm to gain his attention, Bethan pointed toward a lofty jelawi. “That one looks as tall as the Lantern Tower of old St. Nicholas church back in Newcastle!”
    Her unexpected touch sent a bolt of heat searing through Simon’s veins. It took him a moment to master his voice. “Majestic, isn’t it? The younger trees beyond it are all