Free The Earl's Scandalous Wife by Ruth Ann Nordin Page A

Christopher who at least had the sense to straighten in his seat.
    “Yes,” he said and shot her a grateful smile.  “Thanks to you, Perry finally has a wife.  You’ll never know what a relief it is that someone made an honest gentleman of him.”
    He rolled his eyes.  “If you’re so funny, then why is no one laughing?”
    At that, Paula chuckled and Perry felt a sense of satisfaction since she laughed at his joke but not Christopher’s.  It was a minor victory but a victory all the same and he’d enjoy it.
    Christopher’s eyebrows rose as he turned back in his direction.  “Who knew you had a sense of humor?  Having a wife is already doing you wonders.” Rising to his feet, he continued, “Agatha sent me over to invite you to a dinner party we’re having in a week.”
    Hesitant, Perry stood up and grabbed his cane.  “Who’ll be there?”
    “Our friends.  It’ll be an informal gathering, much like the ones you gave while I still lived here.”
    He resisted the urge to grimace.  “Will Lord Edon be there?”
    “He’s my friend.  Of course, he’ll be there.” He smiled at Paula.  “You’ll like him.  He’s got a real passion for life.”
    That wasn’t the way Perry would have described him, but it was better than telling her he was one of the most notorious rakes in London.  “Will my friend Nate be there?”
    He gagged .  “Is that a requirement?”
    “Lord Edon is your friend and Nate is mine.  If you want to assure A gatha that all is well, I insist Nate go.  Besides, don’t Claire and Agatha get along?”
    “You’re so demanding.  All right .  Lord Horrid will be there.”
    Perry fought the urge to correct him as he stepped around his desk so he could stand beside his wife.  “Are you ready for our walk?”
    “You mean a walk to the drawing room, right?” Christopher called out before she could answer him.
    “No, I meant a walk through Hyde Park.”
    His jaw dropped for a moment then he pinched himself.
    Frowning, Perry asked, “What are you doing?”
    “Making sure I’m awake.  I could have sworn you suggested walking—instead of riding a horse—through the park.”
    He sighed but saw that Paula seemed amused by Christopher’s comment, so he decided to concede and tell the truth.  “Paula doesn’t mind my limp .”
    “It’s hardly a limp at all,” she added and slipped her arm around his, causing his body to flush with a pleasant warmth that always seemed to come over him whenever she touched him.
    Christopher chuckled.  “You have no idea how long I’ve tried to get that stubborn cousin of mine to walk instead of riding a horse, but he was adamantly opposed to it.  My lady, you have my complete admiration.  You have accomplished what no one else has.”
    Perry rolled his eyes as his cousin gave an exaggerated bow before her.  She squeezed his arm.  Looking at her, he was assured that she didn’t think less of him because he’d let fear hold him back in the past.  He tapped Christopher on the shoulder with his cane. “The queen demands you rise.”
    Her lips curled up at his joke.
    Christopher straightened and clasped his hands behind his back.  “Before you two leave, I have something important to give Perry.  I’ll retrieve it from my carriage and be right back.”
    As he hurried out of the room, Paula turned to Perry and kissed him.  “You shouldn’t let him bother you.”
    “I try not to.  It’s just difficult.”
    “Does it help if you know that I think you’re the best gentleman in all of London and no one will ever change my mind?”
    Pleased by her words, he grinned.  “I think you see me as you want to see me, not as I really am.”
    “No, I see you as you really are.”
    She gave him another kiss, this one longer than the one before, and his body stirred with desire to caress her breasts or take her over to the chair and have her straddle him.  He hadn’t been bold in their lovemaking.  Up to now, he’d been letting