Free His Wicked Wish by Olivia Drake Page A

descended deep into her body. The sensation was so potent, so pleasurable, that she immediately pictured herself lying naked in his arms while he explored her most forbidden places. It was a disturbing fantasy, for she couldn’t deny that a part of her burned with lust for him. Another part, however, rejected the prospect of submitting to such a conceited rogue.
    She sprang up from the stool again. “I haven’t agreed to this marriage. How can you expect me to commit the rest of my life to you on the basis of one meeting? We don’t even like each other—or at least I don’t much like you!”
    Lord Rowley shrugged. “You need only tolerate me for one season—perhaps three months in all. Then I will leave England for good. And I shan’t ever return.”
    â€œLeave? Why?”
    â€œI’ve numerous business interests abroad. As part of our agreement, you will be required to remain here in London. You’ll have the income and the title—along with the expectation of becoming Countess of Gilmore upon the death of my father.”
    When Lord Rowley mentioned his sire, his jaw tightened slightly and his lips firmed. That hint of tension in his expression sparked a realization in her. Slowly, she guessed, “You intend to use me to embarrass your noble family.”
    â€œIndeed.” He prowled the confines of the dressing room before turning to face her. “You strike me as a clever woman, Miss Swann, so I shan’t mince words. The Earl of Gilmore will be livid to learn that his heir has taken a notorious actress as a bride. He’ll be even angrier when he discovers we’ll be living at Gilmore House with him.”
    â€œWhy do you despise your father so much?”
    â€œMy reasons are my own,” he said sharply. “You are not to question me on the matter. In return for my generosity, I’ll expect you to perform as you’ve done tonight—by hurling insults and playing the guttersnipe. The more outrageously you behave, the better. Feel free to swing from the chandeliers if it suits you.”
    A deep anger underscored his words. Lord Rowley truly hated his father. Enough to foist a low-class female into the earl’s household as a member of the family.
    She wondered what terrible circumstances could have inspired such a powerful animosity in him. Was that why he’d been abroad for the past ten years? Had he come back to England for the express purpose of setting into motion this odious plot to punish his father?
    Her every instinct warned Maddy not to entangle herself in the scheme. Lord Rowley expected her to behave as a coarse, foulmouthed termagant. No wonder he had found her actions tonight so entertaining. She had played right into his hands. She fit the profile of the slattern he wanted to wed.
    He intended to parade her before his aristocratic family and all of society, too. They would scorn her as an ill-mannered commoner. She would be snubbed at every ball, every dinner party, every drive in the park. They would never accept her as one of their own. No matter how lofty her title, she would always be the scandalous actress who’d been purchased at auction by the Earl of Gilmore’s heir.
    So why did she feel tempted to accept?
    It wasn’t the money. One of the other noblemen could provide her the funds to open her shop. In a year’s time, the affair would be over and she would gain her freedom.
    But Lord Rowley would set her free, too, and much sooner. He would leave England forever in a few months and then she could open the ladies’ apparel shop she’d always wanted to own. Her elevated status would bring the wives of merchants flocking to her store. They wouldn’t care that society had shunned her. It would be enough for them to rub elbows with a lady of high rank …
    â€œWell?” he prompted as he came to stand in front of her. “I need your answer, Miss Swann. In exchange for a