The Viscount Needs a Wife Read Free Page B

needed calm waters, but she was not in a position to pick and choose. She had no great beauty or elegance, and a pittance of money.
    This offer tempted, but it was too good to be true. There must be something markedly wrong with a man who sought a wife in such a way. A difficult marriage would be far worse than life at Cateril Manor, and there would be no escape.
    I respect your devotion to Marcus, but can you continue as you are for the rest of your life? Upon hearing of the death of Princess Charlotte, I found myself contemplating the uncertainties of life and our duty to use our time on earth well. I fear your current situation leaves you idle. However, my desires might cause me to overpersuade you, so let me tell you of the problems.
    The writing was becoming even smaller. There must be a great many problems, and that was a relief. Kitty could feel the pull of this ridiculous plan, and she needed reasons to resist.
    Lord Dauntry stated plainly that he sought a wife who would not seek to change his ways. Kitty, I fear those ways include carousing and wicked women. He behaves with complete propriety here, but he is a very fashionable gentleman. I understand he is commonly called Beau Braydon, in the style of Beau Nash and Beau Brummell! His life since leaving the army has been mostly in London. You are more familiar than I as to what that might involve.
    Kitty was, but she was fixed on the words “since leaving the army.”
    Kitty had lived in London all her married life, often surrounded by Marcus’s army friends. He’d not been able to get out much, so his military friends and acquaintances had come to him when in Town on furlough or official business, sometimes in numbers that threatened to burst the walls. Some were good company, but she’d learned that soldiering often left scars, visible and invisible. Major Quincy had been silent, with such a dark look in his eyes. Captain Farrow had mostly been quiet, but occasionally he’d fall into a kind of fit in which he thought he was fighting the French; it had taken two or three others to restrain him. Lieutenant Wynne had a strong voice and had often led jolly songs, but she’d sensed something wrong. According to Marcus, his wounds had affected his manhood. Marcus had thanked heaven that his had not, but they’d affected so much else.
    She wasn’t attracted to the idea of any second marriage, and certainly not to another ex-soldier. She’d done her share in that regard.
    He asked if I would put the proposal to you. I made no promise, but later Andrew and I discussedthe matter. He is uncomfortable with the situation for many reasons, but he sees how advantageous it could be to you, and he confirmed my assessment that Lord Dauntry would be a tolerable husband, as long as you kept to his conditions.
    And if not? Rages and bruises, then weeping contrition and threats to kill himself?
    If she’d been a meeker woman, perhaps Marcus’s life would have been more tolerable, but his unpredictable anger had developed an echo in herself. To begin with, she’d agreed and soothed, and even apologized for imagined faults, but her patience had worn down until she’d answered sharp words with sharper, and rage with rage. She’d rebutted accusations with ones of her own. That had worked better, but she’d hated his dismal repentance for days afterward.
    Men wanted meek wives, and she didn’t think she could ever be one again. Ruth’s plan was a fairy tale. But the next line leapt out at her.
    Remember, Andrew and I would be close by to offer loving support.
    To be close to Ruth and have her loving support . . .
    What was more, if she became Lady Dauntry—astonishing thought!—she’d be able to visit the parsonage whenever she wished. She could invite Ruth and her family to her own grand home. What was the name? Beauchamp Abbey. Was it pronounced in the French way—
BOW-shamp
—or did it match