Free The Earl's Inconvenient Wife (Regency Collection Book 1) by Ruth Ann Nordin

he dies, you’ll still be provided for.  Even better, you’ll be provided for in style.  I hear Lord Roderick manages money very well.”
    “I’d rather not talk about his money.”
    “You’re right.  Why talk about it when you can use it?”
    Claire watched as her sister twirled her blonde hair around her fingers.  She didn’t know what to say to that except, “I hope you don’t think I can spend a lot of his money.   He opened an account for me, but he told me to be careful with how much I spend.”
    “You know me better than that.  Truly, I don’t want much.  Just a new pair of gloves and a hat.  I also wanted to spend the day with you.  You know that, don’t you?”
    She smiled.  “Yes, I know.”
    “I’m happy for you.  You’ve done so well.  I hope by now you’re no longer worried about your new role as Lady Roderick.”
    “Well, no…” She didn’t recall being worried about the actual role she needed to play, minu s the part that involved giving her husband an heir but it seemed there was nothing to it, at least if sherry was involved.
    “Good.  Managing a house isn’t that difficult.  You just need to look good and smile.”
    Claire thought to remind her sister that there was more to being a wife than what she assumed but knew the words would fall on deaf ears.  How many times had she suggested her sister give serious consideration to Mister Morris?  Opting to keep her thoughts to herself, she looked out the window as they approached the shops.
    Lilly leaned close to Claire and whispered, “So, what was the wedding night like?”
    Startled by the change in topic, Claire wasn’t sure how to respond.
    “I didn’t dare ask in the house in case the servants talked, but I’ve been dying to know what you think.  Was it good?”
    She studied her sister’s wide eyes.  She couldn’t blame Lilly for being curious, but she had no idea what to tell her.
    “Well?”
    Claire shrugged.  “I don’t know.”
    “You don’t know?”
    “No, I don’t.  I drank a lot of sherry last night, and all I remember is that he came to my bedchamber.”
    Lilly nodded her encouragement for Claire to continue.
    “I can’t tell you anything else.  I was drunk.  I vaguely remember kissing him and him taking me to bed.  I don’t remember anything else.”
    “Oh. ” She sighed in disappointment.  “That’s not very informative.”
    “I can’t tell you anything else.  I would if I remembered.”
    “But you don’t remember anything that happened once you were in bed?”
    “No.”
    “Are you sure you two consummated the marriage?”
    Claire’s cheeks warmed.  “Yes!”
    “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    Lowering her voice, she said, “Forgive me, Lilly.  It’s hard not to remember something this important.”
    “There’s no need to apologize to me.  I should’ve understood this is a personal matter between you and your husband.  I had no right to intrude.”
    “We’re sisters.  More than sisters.  We’re friends.”
    “Despite our many quarrels as we grew up?”
    Chuckling, Claire reached out and held her hand.  “The best friends are those you can argue with but love anyway.”
    “That’s true.  They see you at your worst and don’t run away.  If someone can handle you at your worst, they’ll stick around for your best.” The carriage came to a stop and Lilly glanced out the window.  “I hope you’ll buy something while we’re out.  Shopping is more fun when we do it together.”
    “I was thinking of buying a bonnet.   It’s a small item.”
    Lilly giggled and winked.  “Jewelry is small.”
    “No.  I’m just getting a bonnet.”
    With a shake of her head, she said, “You have to st art thinking like a countess and enjoy yourself.  There’s no sense in being frugal.”
    “I don’t need anything else.”
    “Good heavens, Claire.  In your situation, you don’t shop because you need something.  You shop on a whim.  If you