Free The Duke's Accidental Wife (Dukes of War Book 7) by Erica Ridley

“Yes?”
    Before she could respond, Simmons, the head butler, appeared in the doorway. “Pardon the interruption, your grace. The coach is ready.”
    Ravenwood’s muscles tightened. Parliament. Splendid. Preparing himself for long hours sequestered with so many people was almost physically painful.
    He was always expected to know things, to speak eloquently, to be capable of persuading the masses… It was enough to shrink his stomach into a cramped ball of dread.
    He schooled his features into a blank mask. He knew what was expected of him. And he had to leave now, or risk being late.
    He pushed to his feet and bowed to his wife. “We’ll talk another time.”
    As much as he wished to learn about Katherine’s other idea, it would have to wait. Duty always came first.
    “Of course,” she said without meeting his eyes. “There will be plenty of chances for tea.”
    Something in her voice, however, indicated there might not.

Chapter Nine

    The following morning, Kate was thrilled to learn that Ravenwood House was expecting guests for the noon meal. She hadn’t seen her husband since he’d left for Parliament, and was grateful for an opportunity to spend more time together.
    Since they’d last spoken, she had realized that the last thing she wanted was an annulment. Not because she would lose her reputation—an avowed spinster like her was certainly strong enough to handle that.
    What she didn’t want to lose was Ravenwood.
    He surprised her at every turn. He had accepted Aunt Havens. And the passion between them…
    A flush rose to her cheeks. If they would have consummated their marriage on their wedding night, she suspected she would have enjoyed it very much. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about his kisses, his touch. What might have happened next, if the moment hadn’t been ruined.
    If anything, the worst part about making love would have been letting him go when he decided to return to his own chamber.
    Bearing a child, however… She tried to swallow her panic.
    If she refused to try, he would be within his rights to request an annulment. Yet how was she supposed to bear an heir? No matter how much she craved intimacy with her husband, her passion vanished at the memories of all the mothers whose children had not survived.
    She shuddered. Best to worry about that later.
    Right now, the most important things were extending an olive branch to her husband—and being a good hostess to their luncheon guests.
    Hope and anticipation lightened her spirits. One of the things she had treasured most about her townhouse was its constant influx of friends and acquaintances of all walks of life.
    The only pastime even more cherished than catching up with old friends was meeting new ones. She had never met the Blaylocks, but they were apparently cousins of some sort. Ravenwood’s sister, Lady Amelia, would be joining them just for the occasion.
    Kate found a sitting room with a picturesque view of the front garden and perched at the bay window to wait.
    Aunt Havens preferred to settle in one of several wingback chairs in order to pass the time with her embroidery. Kate had never had the patience for such slow, careful work, but normally adored watching her aunt’s inventive designs blossom to life.
    At the moment, however, she was far more intrigued by the coach wending its way up the primary Ravenwood House entrance. An older woman was handed out first, followed by young lady obviously with child, and similarly-aged young man with bright red hair.
    Kate clasped her hands together in delight. Whoever these cousins were, they were already fascinating.
    Someone as high in the instep as her husband would undoubtedly hew to the belief that women who were “increasing” should remain shuttered in their homes and well out of sight from Polite Society.
    That this family obviously did not—and intended to call upon Ravenwood without the slightest concern for the “rules”—meant this would be a very interesting