The Elusive Wife Read Free

dead in his grave, the Earl had managed to reach out and select his son’s bride, making damn sure there wasn’t any way the groom could refuse.

    Matching his mood, the next morning dawned cold, dreary, and with the threat of rain so typical in London. The sun not yet having made an appearance, Jason climbed into his carriage and the driver started off.
    He settled into the soft leather seat and closed his eyes. But as the night before, sleep eluded him. Instead, his brain conjured up an image of a bespectacled young lady with tightly bound hair—pale-faced and tight-lipped. No doubt his bride would be undernourished, with brittle bones sticking him everywhere on his attempts to bed her. She would lie on her back, eyes tightly closed as he did his best to get her with child. He shuddered and sat up. Better to stare into the darkness than torture himself with visions of Lady Jane.
    By making only one stop, the coach arrived at the inn in Coventry right before midnight. Restless from long hours in the carriage with nothing to occupy him but his dratted thoughts, Jason strode into the inn. He brushed aside the bowing innkeeper and requested a private dining room, a meal, and a bottle of whiskey.
    Within minutes, the liquor appeared, along with a dinner of roast beef and suet pudding. The wench delivering the food smiled and pressed her generous breasts against his arm as she laid down the plates. He hesitated as he eyed her saucy look, but then just nodded his thanks.
    “M’name’s Mary if you’ll be needin’ anything else, m’lord.” She curtsied, leaving no doubt in his mind what needs she would satisfy.
    “Thank you, Mary. I’ll be sure to let you know.”
    She tossed him a toothsome smile and sauntered out the door to the main area, swinging her hips.
    He watched her leave, a stirring in his loins. Not necessarily pretty, Mary appeared clean and had a full lush body to take his mind off his problems.
    After finishing off half the bottle and all the food, he made a completely reckless decision and asked the innkeeper to send in Mary. She arrived immediately, her bodice considerably lower than it had been when she had delivered his food. Jason patted his thigh and Mary strolled over and settled her plump bottom on his lap, circling his neck with her slender arms.
    He nuzzled her neck. “Do you like your work here?”
    “Oh, yes, my lord. I make good money serving food and drink.”
    “And what else do you serve, Mary?” He moved to nibble behind her ear.
    “Just food and drink, my lord.” Her sultry voice belied her words.
    He moved his hand to her shoulders and pushed the rough material of her bodice down, releasing her breasts. His palms circled the dusky tips that were begging for attention.
    “Are you sure that’s all you serve?” His hand dropped and moved slowly up her leg while his tongue entertained her nipple.
    “On occasion I might provide other services, but not often, my lord. I’m a good girl.” She wiggled on his lap, hardening him ever further.
    “I’m sure you are. Go lock the door.” He pushed her up and patted her lush bottom.
    He studied her through narrowed eyes as she flipped the lock and sauntered back, her breasts swaying as she walked.
    What the bloody hell am I doing? Really, old man—a tavern wench? Right here in Coventry?
    The old Earl would be scandalized, which solidified his decision. If forced to bed a bag of bones sometime soon, he might as well enjoy the curves and softness of Mary—a good girl. He certainly hoped so.
    The girl straddled him and playfully tugged the end of his cravat. No shy damsel this one. Maybe she could pull him out of his morose.

Chapter Two
    The day of the Earl of Coventry’s wedding had arrived. Not having slept all night, he had spent the hours before his wedding enjoying Mary’s attentions. Then drinking, eating, gambling, and more of the wench’s ministrations—or at least he thought it was Mary. By then he was drunk enough not to