Free Married to the Viscount by Sabrina Jeffries

changed its name. They might even assume—and rightly so—that your father didn’t support your efforts.”
    She thrust out her chin. “I’ll convince them they’re wrong. I’ll explain what happened and win them over. I don’t see why I can’t.”
    When she wiped pear juice from her lush lips with her bare fingers, the blood beat savagely in his temples…and lower. He cursed his uncontrolled reaction. Time to stop dallying, before he changed his mind. “I have a better suggestion.” He gestured to a nearby bench. “Come, let’s sit a moment.”
    A decidedly suspicious expression crossed her face, but she did as he asked.

    He sat down beside her. “What if I offered to give you double the money Nat stole?”
    “Why?” She arched one pretty brow. “Out of the kindness of your heart?”
    “I’m afraid not. I’d want something in exchange.” When she looked stricken, he realized what she must think. Hastily he added, “I’d want you to continue here in London as my wife. At least for a while.”
    “But I’m not your wife. Not legally or morally. Those papers are a farce. And since you didn’t authorize them—”
    “Unfortunately, no one knows that. Several people, including a very persistent writer of gossip for the papers, have already heard you or your servant claim that you’re my wife. To deny it would mean either inventing another reason for your claim—and I haven’t found a plausible one—or telling the truth.”
    “Then tell the truth,” she snapped.
    “It’s out of the question. It would embroil my brother in a scandal that would tarnish not only him but his fiancée and her family. Not to mention ruin my own reputation. I can’t risk that. Besides, severing the marriage legally would require a trip to America, which I can’t make while Parliament is in session. It would also require countless meetings with solicitors, one whiff of which would also cause a scandal.”
    “For a man who generally does as he pleases, you seem overly concerned about causing ‘a scandal,’” she said, mimicking his accent with amazing accuracy.
    He wasn’t amused. “I told you, the government is in great turmoil. The home secretary recently resigned when people protested certain actions he’d taken.” Actions Spencer had rightfully opposed. “The new home secretary has everyone behind him, but a scandal involving his undersecretary and the defrauding of an American innocent would surely change that. I cannot risk it.”

    She regarded him with surprise. “You’re so devoted to your country that you’d remain married to a woman you don’t want?”
    “I’m not suggesting we continue this state of affairs forever. What I require is a temporary pretend marriage. You remain here as my wife while I locate my brother. Then you can go to my estate until Parliament is no longer in session and I’m free to leave England. We’ll tell everyone we’re returning to your home to settle your late father’s affairs. While in America, we’ll legally dissolve the marriage, and we’ll be free again.”
    “Aren’t you worried about that causing a scandal?”
    He shrugged. “It’s not as if anyone here would find out about a discreet legal maneuver taking place in America.”
    “But how will you explain when you return here without your wife?”
    “I’ll say you were so happy to be home that you chose to stay. You’ll be my estranged wife. It’s more common than you think and less likely to cause comment.”
    “I guess so,” she said archly. “After being astonished by your marrying a vulgar American, your friends won’t be surprised when you want to get rid of her.”
    “That’s not what I meant.”
    Anger flared in her eyes. “You can wax on at dinner parties about how happy you are to have your highly unsuitable wife out of your hair.”
    “I’d never say anything of the sort. And if I found you so unsuitable, why in God’s name would I suggest maintaining the marriage at all, even