Free The Duke's Bride by Teresa McCarthy Page A

“You have caused enough heartache for
tonight. Find another convenience, Your Grace. This one is full.”
    Jane smirked at Agatha’s bravado. Roderick was a gentleman,
and though they were not on good terms at the moment, Jane knew he would not
push pass Agatha without her consent.
    “Jane,” Roderick replied sharply.
    Lifting her chin, Jane pulled her shawl tighter across her
enlarging bosom and shifted her gaze toward the opposite window. She could not
give in now. She had to have the upper hand. Her entire future depended on how she
managed her husband from here on out.
    With a muttered oath, Roderick brushed the parasol aside and
squeezed his large body between Jane and Agatha.
    Jane’s head jerked up.
    “Truly, Your Grace!” Agatha squealed. “I find this most discomforting.
Most discomforting indeed!
    “I thought to travel to the ball with my wife,” Roderick
announced in a determined tone. “Do you mind?”
    “Yes, I do mind!” Agatha whacked him on the knee with her
parasol.
    “Ouch!” He jumped, making Jane smother a chuckle.
    Indeed, he had surprised her by forcing his way in, but he
should have known better than to have shoved that parasol aside.
    “Madam,” he snapped, turning toward Agatha. “You have just
hit a duke!”
    “Do tell?” she responded politely. “I thought I struck an addlepated
nincompoop! My apologies indeed, Your Grace.”
    Jane couldn’t help but laugh. Roderick’s face had turned a deep
red.
    Agatha rose, reaching for the door. “I am only leaving
because I believe you two having something to talk about. I shall catch another
carriage with Emily and Jared.”
    Jane’s heart raced with panic. “You do not have to leave!”
    Agatha raised her brows. “I think I do. Tell him, my dear.”
    Then, without warning, the lady poked her parasol into
Roderick’s side.
    He grunted, grabbing his ribs. “By Jove, you go too far,
madam!”
    Her light gray eyes glittered with warning. “You had better
be on your best behavior or you will be sorry indeed.” With a humph , the
older lady closed the door and sent the carriage on its way.
    Roderick glared at Jane. “I truly believes she wishes to do
me harm.”
    Jane shrugged. “You are not her favorite person at the
moment.”
    The clatter of carriage wheels echoed in the air as they
rolled toward their destination a few blocks away. During the tense silence, Jane
struggled to keep her emotions in check, but Roderick’s body was still
scrunched against hers. The touch of his muscular leg brushing hers sent the
blood rushing to her head.
    “What do you have to tell me that is so important that
Agatha would leave your side so swiftly?” he asked, turning to her.
    She spun to face him. She had to confront him. Tell him. Be
honest with him. It wasn’t in her to keep things from him. Besides, the strain
of this secret was taking a toll on her. She knew the stress could not be good
for the baby. “Do you know anything about medical treatments from China?”
    Roderick’s black brow lifted in surprise. “I have heard
there are herbs and different points on the body that are used to stimulate a
healing process, but I have never indulged in such things.”
    She swallowed, touching her stomach. “Well—”
    He jerked, staring at her in horror. “Confound it! If you
are thinking what I think you are thinking, let me tell you right now, I will
not allow you to have any treatments that are not from a doctor. If you are
feeling under the weather, I will have that doctor you have been seeing sent for
straight away.”
     She stiffened. How could he be so stubborn? “I don’t
want a doctor. Captain Argyle has a lady who lived many years in China, and she—”
    “Stop right there.”
    “But if you would only listen—”
    He put up a hand, cutting her off. “I knew you were feeling
ill. That’s why you have been acting so disagreeable, is it not? I should have
had a talk with that new doctor straight away.” He eyed the napkin and