The Viscount Needs a Wife Read Free Page A

house. In short, Dauntry has decided he needs a sensible woman to assist him with these responsibilities. I immediately thought of you.
    A laugh escaped. What was Ruth thinking of?
    Then she read the next line.
    It would mean you living close, Kitty. Only think of that!
    Oh. Yes. Only think of that.
    She and Ruth had met when they were both parlor boarders at school in Leamington. They’d become inseparable, but when they’d left school their paths had gone in different directions. Ruth had found employment as a governess. Kitty had returned home and soon been wooed into marriage by Marcus. They’d rarely met since, and not at all since Ruth’s marriage four years ago.
    To be close again.
    Wondrous, but surely impossible.
    I know it would mean exchanging life as part of a noble family for one as a servant, but I have the feeling that you’re not entirely comfortably situated.
    It was so like Ruth to read between the lines. Kitty had tried to put a bright face on her situation here, just as she had during her marriage, for she didn’t believe that a trouble shared is a trouble halved. It seemed to her that complaining of trials that couldn’t be changed was merely sharing the misery.
    Was this a possible escape? What would this position be? Surely the girl had a governess. Was she to be companion to the elderly lady? That might be no better than being trapped with Lady Cateril—except that she’d be free of mourning and have Ruth nearby. There could even be weekly visits.
    Kitty focused eagerly on the page again.
    I put forward your name and explained why you might be suitable, which I confess involved a little exaggeration of your sober nature, but then Lord Dauntry shocked me by saying he’d resolved that the lady he needs must be his wife. My hopes were exploded.
    Kitty’s were, too.
    How could Ruth lead her on like that?
    She crumpled the letter and threw it across the room. But Sillikin ran to retrieve it and bring it back to her, stub tail wagging.
    â€œThis isn’t a game, you foolish creature.”
    But she took it, picking up the dog to hug. “I don’t suppose I’d have liked the position anyway. I’d have been a servant, no matter how it was dressed up, and with no other company than my lady, who could be even worse than Lady Cateril.” The dog licked her chin. “Yes, I know I have you. But would I be allowed to keep you?”
    Sillikin turned to settle on Kitty’s lap, but pushed the letter sideways with her paws so it slid toward the floor. Kitty caught it and realized she’d not yet reached Ruth’s astonishing news. Perhaps that would raise her spirits. She smoothed the paper and found her place.
    I was bold enough to ask why, and Dauntry pointed out that his ward is hard to handle and the dowager Lady Dauntry difficult in her grief. Then he asked if you would fulfill his requirements as wife.
    Yes! I’m sure your astonishment equals mine.
    It did indeed. Marriage? To a viscount? Was it a full moon?
    I was cast into a tizzy. He, however, continued as if discussing whether to plant turnips or cabbages to say that he needs his household under sensible management without delay
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and asked again if my friend might be suitable and willing.
    I didn’t know the truth about either, but the thought of you within miles, not to mention theopportunity for you to become my lady, was too much to resist, dear Kitty. I said you might be. Of course, that commits you to nothing, and I know you’ve said you will not marry again, but do please give it thought, for Lord Dauntry means what he said.
    â€œHe must be mad,” Kitty muttered. “Would I marry a madman to escape?” She answered herself. “Perhaps. If he was safely mad.”
    Ruth was correct in saying that she didn’t want a second husband, but that was largely because she couldn’t imagine finding a comfortable one. After the storms with Marcus, she