Free The Perfect Wife by Victoria Alexander Page A

hostess and, in addition, helped raise her nephew. And if the years had flown by unnoticed, so be it.
    Now, Wynne’s mind was filled with what she thought of as her own personal story. A story she had yet to write. A story she had yet to live. With Father dead two years now, and Erick about to marry, Wynne saw no reason why she should not do exactly as she wished with her life. If Nicholas needed someone to run his home, he could bloody well find a wife. Wynne had never complained about putting her father’s and her nephew’s needs first, but now it was her turn. Just as soon as she had Erick safely married, she would pack her bags and set off to see the world. See for herself all the places she’d only read about. Maybe Italy and Greece one year, and China the next. Perhaps she’d even visit America. A dreamy smile drifted across her lips, and images of exotic places and unknown lands teased her mind.
    The crash of the front door rudely pulled her from her reverie and the voice of her nephew planted her feet firmly back in reality.
    “Aunt Wynne ...” Erick rushed to her side, clasped her hand and raised it to his lips. Wynne sighed to herself. As a child, he used to offer her some of his secret cache of sweets to get her to do what he wanted. With maturity came new techniques, but Wynne could still read Erick’s intentions as well as any of her books.
    She drew back her hand and studied him with a knowing gaze. “Don’t bam me, Erick. What do you want?”
    “What? Why, Aunt Wynne...” Erick’s eyes opened wide with feigned innocence. “You wound me to the quick.”
    “Nonsense.” Wynne sniffed. “I’ve known you all your life and I certainly know when you are trying to wheedle something out of me. Now, what do you want?”
    Erick took a deep breath. “It’s about the wedding. I’m afraid it has to be delayed.” Wynne’s heart sank. Her elusive freedom slipped farther away.
    “Belinda’s mother has taken off on a somewhat mysterious and ill-advised voyage to Egypt, and Father has followed her.” He paused, as if to gauge her reaction.
    Wynne simply raised an eyebrow, but her composed expression belied the rush of questions whirling through her mind, Nicholas had actually gone out of his way to go after a woman? Put himself to some trouble for a mere female? As far as she’d ever been able to see, her brother had no use for women except as managers of his household or fetching playthings to be toyed with and then
discarded. Disrupting his well-ordered life was unheard of.
    During his long years of service to the Crown it had not been unusual for Nicholas to take off without a moment’s notice. Then he was involved in diplomatic missions, ferreting out smugglers and, Wynne long suspected, even spying. But this was different. This was not for king and country. This was for a woman.
    “Go on.” She nodded for Erick to continue.
    “Well...” He hesitated, with that uncertain look on his face that always told her he was summoning up his nerve. His words exploded in a quick rush. “Belinda wants us to go after them. But we can’t go without a chaperone. So it would be of great assistance to us if you would agree to come along.” He stared at her with a hopeful look.
    Egypt? The mystical, magical land of the pharaohs? A thrill swept through her veins. This was her chance! Her first step toward a new life of her own. And who knew? Maybe she wouldn’t come back. In her role of chaperone she could ensure Erick’s marriage and her obligations would be at an end.
    Her voice betrayed none of her mounting excitement. “You say this is Belinda’s idea?”
    Erick grimaced. “She doesn’t seem to feel her mother’s virtue is safe in Father’s hands.”
    “Wise girl,” Wynne said under her breath. “Well, if we are to undertake such a venture, we have no time to lose. There are dozens of preparations to be made.”
    “You’ll go?” Surprise flooded his face.
    “Of course.” Wynne nodded. She