The Earl's Inconvenient Wife Read online

  The Earl’s

  Inconvenient

  Wife

  Ruth Ann Nordin

  The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife - Smashwords Edition

  Published by Ruth Ann Nordin at Smashwords

  Copyright © 2012 by Ruth Ann Nordin

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

  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.

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes:

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold. If you would like to share this book with another person, please do. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover Photo images Dreamstime. www.dreamstime.com. All rights reserved – used with permission.

  Ruth Ann Nordin Books

  http://www.ruthannnordin.com

  Dedication: To Judy DeVries whose enthusiasm and love for life inspires me to look at the glass as half-full instead of half-empty.

  Table of Contents

  List of Books by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  List of Books by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Regency Collection

  The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife

  Her Counterfeit Husband (coming soon)

  Nebraska Historical Romance Collection

  Wagon Trail Bride (coming soon)

  Her Heart’s Desire

  A Bride for Tom

  A Husband for Margaret

  Eye of the Beholder

  The Wrong Husband

  Shotgun Groom

  To Have and To Hold

  His Redeeming Bride

  Isaac’s Decision

  South Dakota Historical Romance Series

  Loving Eliza

  Bid for a Bride

  Bride of Second Chances

  Native American Romance Series (historical)

  Restoring Hope

  Brave Beginnings

  Bound by Honor, Bound by Love (coming soon)

  A Chance In Time (novella) – main characters show up in Restoring Hope and Bound by Honor, Bound by Love)

  Virginia Historical Romance Series

  An Unlikely Place for Love

  The Cold Wife

  An Inconvenient Marriage

  Romancing Adrienne

  Other Historical Western Romances

  Falling In Love With Her Husband

  Meant To Be

  Contemporary Romances

  With This Ring, I Thee Dread

  What Nathan Wants

  Suddenly a Bride

  Christian Sci-Fi Thriller

  Return of the Aliens

  Chapter One

  April 1813

  London

  “Remind me why I’m here,” Nathaniel Buford, Earl of Roderick, said as he checked his gold pocket watch.

  Perry Ambrose, Earl of Clement, shook his head in amusement. “I did that exactly forty seconds ago. The answer won’t change just because you want it to.”

  With a sigh, Nate returned the watch to his pocket and looked out the carriage window, noting the crowded streets where horses pulled other carriages toward the same place: Rendell Hall. All the ladies would be dressed in their finest in hopes of snaring a gentleman—preferably one who was titled—to marry. The knot in his stomach tightened. How he hated the marriage market!

  “Remind me, again, why I’m here,” Nate repeated.

  Perry groaned, though a chuckle rose up in his throat. “You poor, poor man. You really should murder your brother for dying without an heir.”

  “Don’t think the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.” Despite his sour mood, his friend’s words made him smile. If anyone could make him feel better about his current predicament, it was his childhood friend, Perry.

  “You should count your blessings, Nate. You’ll have your pick of ladies.”

  Their carriage came to a stop, and Nate straightened in his seat. One glance out the window notified him they had reached their destination. Hopeful young ladies who were there to enjoy their Season climbed the stairs to Rendell Hall. Heaven help the ones who were going in for a third Season. They’d probably be better off giving up. Not that such matters concerned him. He was here to get a wife, and with any luck, he’d find her before the night was up.

  He glanced at his friend who grabbed his cane. It was ironic that Perry wanted to get married but hadn’t had much luck. Between the two of them, Perry was far more jovial. But for some reason, Perry hadn’t found a wife, though he’d attended social gatherings in the previous two Seasons. Perry had wagered that Nate would walk out with one before the night was over because, as Perry put it, once Nate set his mind to something, he didn’t stop until he got it.

  “Try a more congenial countenance, Nate,” Perry said as the coachman opened the carriage door. “Ladies prefer gentlemen who smile.” Nate forced a smile, and his friend rolled his eyes. “Good heavens. You look like you’re in a great deal of pain.”

  It was close enough to the truth so he didn’t deny it. He left the carriage first and breathed in the night air. Somewhere in Rendell Hall was the future Lady Roderick, the lady who’d enable him to pass on the title to his son. That shouldn’t be too hard. It would have been preferable if Hester hadn’t jilted him so she could marry the Duke of Aquilla, but he doubted she would have been content with being a countess when she could be a duchess instead. When it all came down to it, the title availed much to gentlemen.

  His friend steadied himself with his cane and limped over to him. “Don’t compare those ladies to Hester.”

  Surprised, Nate furrowed his eyebrows. “How did you know I was thinking of her?”

  With a shrug, he mused, “You grimace when you think of her.”

  “Do I?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  Steeling his resolve, he trudged up the steps, going slower than he needed to so that Perry could keep up with him. Having been born with one leg shorter than the other, Perry lacked the grace and speed of other gentlemen.

  “It is unfortunate we can’t trade places,” Nate mumbled as they approached the entrance of the ballroom.

  “You don’t want to trade places with me,” Perry replied as he followed Nate inside. “Might I suggest you pick a lady who is beautiful?”

  Lowering his voice so others couldn’t hear them, he asked, “You suggest no other attribute?”

  “I’m not sure you need another one. Should she be as horrible as you fear, you’d have the consolation of knowing she’s nice to look at.”

  Nate chuckled. Leave it to Perry to find something worth joking about when Nate faced a decision that would affect the rest of his life. Turning his attention to the mission at hand, he scann
ed the room, noting the couples dancing, some in merriment while others looked as happy to be there as he was. Maybe it was wrong, but he took a small comfort in knowing he wasn’t the only bachelor being forced to think of his legacy.

  Perry nudged his arm. “What about her?”

  His gaze went to the pretty blonde on the other side of the room who fiddled with her curls. “No.”

  “Why not? She’s the best looking lady in the room.”

  “And she knows it.”

  Nate watched as a gentleman approached her. She listened as he talked to her, offering him a polite smile. When he was done, she shook her head in dismissal, and the disappointed gentleman walked away. Now he knew why she didn’t have a dance partner. She was turning down the offers she was receiving.

  “That over there is a vain lady,” he told Perry.

  “With her beauty, she has a right to be,” his friend replied. “You’re handsome. She’ll say yes to you.”

  Given that he had no interest in her, he ignored the comment and continued scanning the room to see if a potential Lady Roderick was lurking somewhere. He didn’t see anyone who stood out. Oh, there were attractive ladies, but he didn’t feel that certain spark he had expected to feel when he laid eyes on the one meant for him.

  “There is another way to make your choice,” Perry said, drawing Nate’s attention back to him. “You could marry someone from a notable family.”

  Nate’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Why, Perry, I believe you are smarter than you look after all.”

  With a mock bow, he replied, “You flatter me, my lord.”

  Chuckling, he switched his attention to the fathers in the room, trying to decide which ones might be the ideal father-in-law. “I suppose I ought to get to work. The right lady won’t come to me. I must go to her, and with any luck, her father will point me in her direction.”

  Nate stepped further into the room, making sure he didn’t intrude on the dancing couples. Soon enough, he’d be dancing and talking to ladies whose fathers he got along with. His friend was right. If he could be on good terms with the lady’s family, then his life would be easier. Spotting some older gentlemen, he headed for them, determined to find out if they had any daughters.

  ***

  Claire Lowell pulled her white gloves up to her elbows and then brushed off the imaginary lint on her pink evening gown.

  “Stop fussing,” her sister admonished as she scanned the people who were dancing.

  “Forgive me, Lilly.” She straightened up and forced her hands at her sides.

  “You needn’t be so worried.”

  “This is my first Season. How can I not worry?” Claire asked, taking in all the ladies who exuded far more confidence than she felt. How did they do it? They were calm and poised, speaking smoothly and laughing. They seemed to be enjoying themselves while she…while she felt as if she was going to be sick. “I don’t feel well.”

  Lilly shook her head. “There’s nothing to it. I survived my first Season, and you’ll survive yours, too.”

  It was true. Lilly made her rounds to the balls last Season and reported her dance card quite full. “You should have danced with the gentleman who asked you instead of staying with me.”

  Lilly twirled her blonde strands around her fingers. “Mister Morris might have money, but he doesn’t have a title. I don’t care how much he pursues me. I won’t marry a gentleman unless he has something to offer me.”

  “Even if it’s love? Mister Morris adores you.”

  She shrugged. “A mere infatuation. Nothing more.”

  “I think it’s rather sweet the way he talks to you.”

  “Sweet won’t make me comfortable for the rest of my life.”

  “I doubt all the servants and clothes in the world can be sufficient when your husband doesn’t love you,” Claire whispered.

  Lilly laughed as she studied the gentlemen as the dance came to an end. “That’s why ladies take lovers once they provide their husband with an heir. You don’t need to worry about me.”

  She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She wasn’t so naïve that she didn’t understand the manner in which most of the noble class conducted their personal affairs.

  Her gaze swept the room, noting the cordial manner in which people conducted themselves. She had to admit the dancing looked like fun, and part of her wanted to join, even if it meant some degree of embarrassment since she wasn’t sure the dancing lessons had paid off. She suspected her unease came more from how she compared to Lilly. Lilly was graceful on her feet and able to keep pace with the steps to the English country-dance. Claire had almost tripped on her way down the end of the line during the last one she’d participated in. She much preferred the waltz, though she did wonder if she hurt her dance partner since she stepped on his foot twice. She cringed at the memory. No. He wouldn’t dare venture her way again.

  Their mother came over to them with an excited smile. “Your father is coming over here with a suitable bachelor. I do believe he has a title.”

  Lilly’s face lit up and she fluffed her blonde curls. Claire thought about doing something to make her dark hair more attractive but decided there wasn’t much she could do when it was piled up on her head with decorative pins in it. Besides, he most likely would want to dance with Lilly anyway.

  Her father approached them with a gentleman, and Claire’s eyes went to the gentleman’s cane. She wondered what might have caused him to need it. A war injury perhaps? He looked young. Perhaps he was in his early twenties. He was good looking with brown hair, a solid frame, and pleasant blue eyes that twinkled with a sense of mirth. Her interest piqued, she focused on her father as he made the introductions.

  “This is Lord Clement,” he told them before turning back to the gentleman. “These are my daughters, Miss Lilly and Claire Lowell.”

  Claire and Lilly curtsied, and Lord Clement bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he greeted. “I trust you’re finding London to your liking?”

  Lilly glanced at Claire, and it took Claire a moment to realize her usually outspoken sister had decided this gentleman wasn’t one she wanted so she felt no need to encourage him to talk to her. Clearing her throat, Claire replied, “London is…big, my lord.” Her cheeks grew warm. That didn’t come out quite right.

  Her mother laughed and clapped her hands. “You’ll have to forgive my daughters. While Lilly attended the Season last year, this is Claire’s first time in London. She finds it overwhelming.”

  “That’s understandable,” Lord Clement said. “One hardly sleeps with all there is to do, especially this time of year.”

  Appreciative of his gracious reply, Claire relaxed. “I haven’t seen much of it yet.”

  “I’m afraid we’ve been keeping the girls occupied with getting ready for the balls,” their father said. “We should do something of interest while we’re here.”

  “Yes, we should,” their mother quickly agreed. “What do you suggest, Lord Clement?”

  “If they enjoy a circus,” he began, “then I suggest Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre. However, if they wish to engage with others in London, Hyde Park is a good place to take a walk or ride a horse.” He motioned to his cane. “I prefer riding a horse. I have access to a couple of horses if the situation calls for it.”

  Their father shot their mother an excited look.

  “Both activities sound lovely,” their mother said, her head bobbing up and down. “We would be remiss if we didn’t engage in them while we’re here. That would be lovely, wouldn’t it?” she asked her daughters.

  “Yes, it would,” Claire admitted, thinking that Lord Clement was a likable gentleman. One, perhaps, she could even be happy marrying if he was as nice as he seemed.

  Lilly bit her lower lip and breathed a sigh of relief when Mister Morris headed their way, his eyes flitting between her and Lord Clement. When he reached them, he bowed. They returned the greeting and exchanged pleasantries.

  Mister Morris stepped over to Lilly in a
n apparent move to claim the lady he loved. Claire bit her lip so she wouldn’t chuckle. If her sister was smart, she’d marry him. She had no doubt he’d be devoted to her every day of his life.

  “Might I have the honor of having the next dance?” he asked Lilly.

  To Claire’s surprise, Lilly gave a quick nod and joined him so they could dance the next waltz. She resisted the urge to shake her head in amazement. Was that the same lady who just claimed she didn’t want to be with him? Whatever changed her mind in such a hurry?

  “I’m afraid I cannot offer you a dance,” Lord Clement said, bringing Claire’s attention back to him. He motioned to his cane and shrugged. “I wouldn’t be too graceful.”

  Her mother waved her hand dismissively. “A gentleman’s worth isn’t based on how he dances but on who he is, right Claire?”

  Despite her embarrassment to being singled out, Claire nodded. “Of course, I don’t mind.”

  “She’s a wonderful young lady,” her father quickly added. “She likes to draw, keeps a record of her thoughts, and has been instructed in how to be a good wife. I even set aside a sizable dowry on her behalf.”

  Her face flushed. She knew her father meant well, but she felt as if she were an animal up for sale. But perhaps that was what the Season was all about. Her father had wished to see her married well, which was why he saved as much as he did while denying himself some of the finer things in life. Still, she wished he could have chosen other words to express why Lord Clement might consider her for marriage.

  As Lord Clement opened his mouth to speak, a gentleman ran over to him. “I’m sorry to disturb you, my lord, but your ward has been caught in a situation that demands your attention at once.”