Authors: Ruth Ann Nordin
Tags: #comedy, #humor, #sex, #secret, #historical romance, #regency, #regency romance, #arranged marriage, #virgin hero, #inconvenient marriage
His Wicked Lady
Marriage by Arrangement: Book 1
His
Wicked
Lady
Ruth Ann Nordin
Wedded Bliss Romances, LLC
His Wicked Lady - Smashwords Edition
Published by Ruth Ann Nordin at
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Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Ann Nordin
All rights reserved. No part of this book may
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters,
places and incidents are either the product of the author’s
imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any
actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely
coincidental.
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Wedded Bliss Romances, LLC
http://www.ruthannnordin.com
Coming Soon: Her Devilish
Marquess
Find More About Ruth Ann
Nordin
Dedication: To Samantha Anne Sink, for sharing
with me how beautiful love is when the right man comes into your
life. Your story was such an inspiration and makes me appreciate
romances so much more. Thank you!
Chapter One
June 1817
M
r. Malcolm Jasper had just taken a drink of his brandy when
his father barged into his den and blurted out, “When are you going
to get married?”
Malcolm almost spit out his drink. Almost.
But he couldn’t bring himself to soil his new clothes. After he
managed to swallow, he turned to his father. “What is this nonsense
you’re sputtering?”
“I think you heard me the first time.”
Without an invitation, his father plopped down in the chair across
from him and crossed his legs. Leaning back, he set his gaze on
Malcolm as if he’d decided to make a careful study of him. “You’re
twenty-five. It’s about time you got married and had some children.
Life is more than work and money.”
“I haven’t met the right lady.”
“It’s hard to do that when you haven’t
attended any balls since your sister found her husband.”
With a grimace, Malcolm put his glass down.
“Can’t we have one conversation where you don’t mention that
blasted husband of hers?”
“Watch your language.”
“If that cad said ‘blasted’, you would laugh.
If I say it, you criticize me.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is. My brother-in-law can get away
with anything.”
“Logan isn’t as horrible as you make him out
to be.”
Malcolm shivered. “I asked you not to say his
name in my home.”
“Sorry. I forgot.” His father leaned forward,
waiting until Malcolm met his gaze before continuing with, “It’s
time you went back to the balls. Find a nice, reputable lady. If
you don’t bore her, I’m sure she’ll accept your proposal.”
“It’s nice to know what you think of me. You
honestly believe I’m a dullard?”
“You’re not a dullard to me, but then I enjoy
discussing investments. Ladies, however, are more interested in
what money will buy than how to acquire it.”
Malcolm let out a loud sigh so his father
would know how much he was bothering him. Truly, if he’d known his
father was going to do this, he would have told the butler to
forbid him entrance into his townhouse. But since his father had
never approached him on this subject before, how could he have
anticipated it?
“I know you think I’m being unreasonable,”
his father said, leaning toward him. “But I only have your best
interest at heart.” When he rolled his eyes, his father continued,
“It’s true. I care very much for you. You’re my son. I’m invested
in your happiness.”
“What is this really about? It can’t be about
my finding a lady to marry.” He narrowed his eyes at him. “Is this
about grandchildren? Now that Melissa’s given you one, you want
another one?”
His father gasped in what he suspected was
mock indignation. “Grandchildren have nothing to do with this.”
“Oh, don’t lie to me. I’m more intelligent
than you give me credit for. I’ve seen the way your eyes light up
whenever Mathias is around.”
“I love my grandson. I won’t deny it. The lad
may only be one month old, but I admit, he’s already got your
mother and me wrapped around his little finger.”
Malcolm shot him a pointed look. “And what
could be better than having two, right?”
“It’s more than that.” His father gestured to
the room. “Look at all the fine things you’ve collected over the
years. The artwork, the sculptures, the books, and the furniture.
They’re all expensive.”
“A gentleman has the right to use his money
as he sees fit.”
“Of course, he does. I’m not arguing that
with you. But there’s only so much money a gentleman can make
before he gets bored.”
“I’m not bored.”
“Not now. But then, you’re still young. You
have your entire life ahead of you. I, however, am not young, and I
can tell you from experience the best things in life are those you
can’t buy. A good wife and children will bless you in ways money
and possessions never can.”
Good heavens, but his father wasn’t going to
give up! He had that determined look in his eye, and that look only
spelled trouble. Letting out a bewildered laugh, Malcolm asked,
“What are you going to do? Request the Duchess of Ashbourne’s
services to help me find a wife?”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
“I was merely jesting, Father. I wouldn’t use
her services.”
“But she did a wonderful job in finding your
sister a husband.”
Malcolm snorted. “The duchess had nothing to
do with it. Logan came up to Melissa and kissed her before I had
time to stop him.”
“But she could have married Lord Waxman.
Remember, she had a pending proposal, and that was because the
duchess helped her.”
Malcolm hid his grimace. Considering the fact
that Lord Waxman was caught in a compromising position with an
older lady, he was hardly worth an endorsement of the duchess’
ability to help anyone secure a good marriage. For the sake of
peace, though, he kept quiet. It was enough his father was
pestering him about finding a wife. He didn’t need to add Lord
Waxman’s lack of moral standing to the argument.
“At least consider marriage,” his father said
after a long moment of silence passed between them. “If nothing
else, it certainly is more enjoyable to sleep after you’ve made
love.”
“I think Logan has influenced your speech too
much,” Malcolm muttered.
“A gentleman doesn’t have to be a cad to know
lovemaking is one of life’s best activities.”
This time Malcolm didn’t hide his grimace. Of
all people, his father was the last one he wanted to talk to about
the bedroom!
“I can tell when you’re not listening.” His
father rose to his feet. “I’ll see myself out.” He turned to leave
but stopped and faced Malcolm. “Before I go, I have one more thing
to say.”
Oh no, there was more? Malcolm forced his
expression to remain neutral as he looked at his father.
“When you die, who will inherit all the
wealth you’ve built?” Seeming satisfied with his question, his
father tipped his hat then left the room.
Malcolm released his breath and closed his
eyes, resting the back of his head on the chair. Just what he
needed. Of all the things his father had said, the last one was the
only one he couldn’t argue.
***
Regan Alger, the Lady of Cantrell, twirled a
strand of her blonde hair around her finger in boredom. Sure, the
music was lively and couples were dancing, but there was no denying
the restless feeling she’d been dealing with for the past year was
only getting worse.
Leaning in the chair, she glanced at her
friend who seemed content to sip her sherry. “Are you really happy
to be at this ball, Danette?” Regan asked.
Her friend’s eyebrows rose as she turned to
look at her. “Do I seem miserable?”
“No. You seem happy. That’s why I asked the
question.”
Danette laughed. “What’s wrong with being
happy?”
“Nothing. I’m just surprised. It’s not like
anything interesting ever happens at Lord Roderick’s balls. I would
have had more excitement if I stayed home.”
“To be fair, Lord Roderick did have some
excitement last Season when the Duke of Ashbourne kissed Lady
Seyton in front of everyone. Then there was the kiss Lord Toplyn
gave Miss Jasper later that same evening.”
Regan pretended to yawn, but it quickly
became a real one. Goodness, something was truly wrong when a lady
ended up yawning for real.
Danette took another sip of
her sherry then said, “A kiss is scandalous. The
Tittletattle
even put it
on the front page for two weeks.”
“A kiss is not exciting. It’s barely even
noteworthy.”
“Then what do you want someone to do?”
“Well, it was exciting when Dr. Westward took
off his shirt at Rumsey’s ball. That was definitely worth seeing.
He’s got a nice chest. He does more than take care of patients to
get muscles like that. Do you ever imagine what it’d be like to run
your hands along his body?”
Danette gasped and put her hand to her cheek.
After a long moment, she relaxed and said, “I know what’s troubling
you. When you return to your townhouse tonight, you won’t have
someone in your bed. It’s been three years since Frederick died.
Why not marry again? Your mourning period has long since
passed.”