His Wicked Lady Read Free

didn’t believe him for a minute, but,
just to humor him, she asked, “Where is she?”
    He looked taken off guard by her question.
“Pardon?”
    “The future Mrs. Jasper. Where is she?”
    “She’s not here. She’s taken ill.”
    “That’s convenient.”
    “It’s not convenient. It’s the truth.”
    She shook her head.
    This time, he looked indignant. “I can’t help
it if you believe me or not.”
    “As it turns out, I don’t believe you.”
    “If you don’t believe me, ask the Duchess of
Ashbourne. It’s her job to pair up couples. She can find the
perfect gentleman for you and arrange the marriage on your behalf.”
The music came to an end, and he let out a loud sigh of relief.
“Finding a husband without enacting a scandal is in your best
interest.” He straightened his suit jacket, lifted his chin in the
air, and then walked away.
    She couldn’t help but smile. Oh, she would
pay the duchess a visit. She’d do it tomorrow, and it would be
interesting to know if the lady would confirm he was really
engaged.
     

 
    Chapter Two

     
    M alcolm wasted no time in going to his sister’s townhouse after
he left the ball. In any other situation, he would have waited
until the next day, but considering his lie, he didn’t have time to
waste. He knocked on the door and shifted anxiously from one foot
to another as he waited for the footman to answer, glancing over
his shoulder to make sure that blonde-haired lady from the ball
hadn’t followed him.
    Never in his life had he imagined a lady
would come right up to him, take his hand, and insist he dance with
her. Just what had she been thinking? Her action could have very
well trapped them both into a marriage neither asked for.
    He shook his head. It was a sign. His
father’s prayers were working, and it was only a matter of time
before Malcolm ended up with a wife. Well, if he was going to get
married, he wasn’t going to be thrown into it by someone else. He
was going to do it himself.
    The footman opened the door and led him into
the drawing room where Melissa was singing to her one-month-old
son. His heart softened at the sight of his nephew. Even if Logan
was Mathias’ father, he was one of the best babies in all of
London. Plus, with Malcolm for an uncle, there was a lot of hope
for the baby.
    A smile lit up Malcolm’s face as he strode
over to his sister. “May I hold my dear nephew?”
    Melissa returned his smile and motioned for
him to sit on the settee next to her. “Sure you may.”
    Once she settled his nephew in his arms,
Malcolm stared down at the boy, who stared at him with wide blue
eyes. “Good evening there, Mathias. You remember me, don’t you? I’m
your good looking and intelligent Uncle Malcolm.”
    Melissa chuckled. “I’m sure he remembers
you.”
    “I want to make sure he remembers I’m good
looking and intelligent. I can only guess what that husband of
yours says when he has this impressionable young lad all to
himself.”
    “Logan doesn’t talk about you to
Mathias.”
    “Not when you’re around to see it.”
    “Not at all.”
    He shook his head and lifted his gaze
heavenward. “You are so naïve, but if it makes you feel better to
believe it, then do so.” Turning his attention to his nephew, he
added, “We must allow your mother some fantasies. How else will she
cope with the fact that she’s married to your father?”
    “You’re a bit of a cad yourself,
Malcolm.”
    He gasped and covered Mathias’ ears. “Don’t
you dare say that in front of my nephew. He’s been untainted from
the world, and I’d like to keep it that way.” Uncovering the boy’s
ears, he continued, “You’re wondering what your mother and I are
saying? Oh, we’re just agreeing that you should do everything you
can to turn out like me.”
    Mathias’ eyes grew wider, and he cooed in a
way that suggested he was asking a question.
    “Don’t worry,” Malcolm assured him. “We have
plenty of time to help you do that. I know