Free A Husband's Wicked Ways by Jane Feather Page B

my idea in a letter to Liv last week, and Alex came up with the notion of black tulips.”
    “Lord,” Aurelia murmured. “Is there no limit to the miracles our Prince Prokov can perform?”
    “Apparently not. He knows a tulip grower in Amsterdam who can let me have ten dozen. I know it’s not many, but just imagine the effect, Ellie.”
    “Oh, I am,” Aurelia breathed. “And what about the hints of scarlet?”
    “Tulips again. They’ll be at their best in May.” Cornelia beamed with satisfaction. “It will be perfect, and Liv is adamant that she will be strong enough by the end of May to be there.”
    “Will you carry the color scheme onto the supper table?” Aurelia was fascinated, and more than happy to explore this unexceptionable subject.
    “Harry thinks black-and-white food might be a little off-putting,” Cornelia said. “He suggested tripe and onions for the white stuff, raw beef for the red, and black pudding for the black.”
    Aurelia burst into laughter. “Trust Harry to bring matters down to earth.”
    “Oh, I’ll think of something,” her friend said cheerfully. “But we have to liaise on our gowns.” She regardedher friend with an assessing eye. “Silver and gold, I think for you, Ellie. So perfect with your hair.”
    “Oh, I’ve a hankering for a hint of scarlet,” Aurelia retorted with a chuckle.
    The carriage turned onto Mount Street and her laugh died in her throat. Harry Bonham was coming towards them. Sir Greville Falconer was at his side.
    Aurelia began to feel stifled, trapped in a web spun by this man who’d marched uninvited into her life with what seemed the sole purpose of destroying all the equilibrium she had.
    As the men approached, Harry raised a hand in greeting. “Good afternoon, Aurelia.” He reached the carriage and stood one hand on the door, his eyes only on his wife. “Wife of mine,” he murmured.
    “Husband,” she returned, her voice as low as his as she gave him her hand to alight. Aurelia was accustomed to the sensual charge between these two, but she couldn’t help noticing with some satisfaction a slight surprised narrowing of the colonel’s eyes, and she hoped he was discomfited. It would certainly be the first time in their brief acquaintance.
    She stepped out of the carriage as Harry held up his free hand. “Forgive the intrusion, Harry,” she said lightly. “I come merely to fetch Franny.”
    “You could never intrude,” he said, and she knew it was not mere politeness speaking. “Allow me to introduce Colonel, Sir Greville Falconer.” He gestured to his companion.
    “Falconer…Lady Farnham…and my wife, Viscountess Bonham.”
    Aurelia met the dark gray eyes with a steadiness that surprised her. She extended her hand. “I’m delighted to make your acquaintance, Colonel.”
    He took her hand, raised it to his lips in a courtly gesture that surprised her as much as her own composure. “Lady Farnham, I’m honored.” He gave her his smile again, and his gaze seemed to linger a moment longer than necessary on her countenance, before he turned to greet Cornelia.
    “Colonel, are you new to town?” Cornelia asked.
    “Colonel Falconer has just returned from Corunna,” Harry said. “He’s been out of England for some years now.”
    Cornelia understood immediately that the colonel was in some way involved in the business that kept her husband so occupied in the dark corridors of the War Ministry, business best not examined too closely. So she nodded and said, “I trust you’ll take tea, Colonel. How long are you in town?”
    “I hope to stay for several months, ma’am,” he replied, following her up to the front door. “I’m looking for suitable lodgings.”
    “Oh, I’m sure Harry’s agent could help you there,” she said. “Don’t you think, Harry?”
    “Certainly,” her husband said, standing to one side so that Aurelia could precede him into the house. “I’ll ask Lester to arrange it.”
    “Come into the drawing