Free The Werewolf's Pregnant Bride by Jane B. Night Page A

marriage to a man she did not love and barely knew.
    "Are you unwell?" Mercy asked looking up at her. Apparently, her thoughts were showing on her face.
    "Just fatigued," Sophronia said. Mercy did not say anything more but she did not look quite convinced.
    "Perhaps you should plan to skip the circus," Eldon said. She was pretty sure it was the first word of concern he had given for either her or his child. His words made her angry but she tried not to let it show. She would much rather have had the concern coming from Nathaniel but he merely glanced at her then returned his eyes to his plate.
    "It is not for a few more days. I am sure I will feel better by then," Sophronia said.
    The room was deafeningly silent for what seemed like forever. Sophronia had almost finished her food and was debating returning to her room to rest when Owen appeared to announce the arrival of Vivian.
    The woman swept into the room and Sophronia instantly understood why Claire had outdone herself on her appearance. Even at her best Claire was plain next to Vivian. Her sister had not only been born prettier and with more feminine attributes but there was also a mischievous sparkle to her eyes. It was a sparkle that she had seen before in female friends who boasted about clandestine meetings with rakes behinds the backs of their fathers and husbands.
    Vivian did not have the sweetness that Claire had.
    "We have not been introduced," she said looking at Sophronia and then Claire who blushed.
    "Of course. I am sorry. This is my new sister-in-law, Sophronia." Claire gestured and Sophronia curtsied. "Sophronia, this is my sister, Vivian."
    "Charmed," Sophronia said even though she was not feeling at all charmed.
    "An American wife. Nathaniel, this is a surprise," Vivian said. Sophronia did not care for the tone that the woman was using on her husband. Nor the coquettish look she gave him.
    She wondered if the little pleasure tricks Nathaniel had used on her to consummate the marriage had been taught to him by this woman. She looked at Nathaniel carefully trying to divine what relationship he and Vivian had.
    His worshipful look made her fairly confident that he had not actually bedded this woman. He looked at her like a fantasy not like a man remembering a pleasant bedding. At least, she hoped she was reading his look correctly. Vivian was not the type of woman one tried to compete with. She could have any man she wanted, married or not. Sophronia had no doubts in her mind about that.
    "It was unexpected," Nathaniel said.
    "I suppose once I grow accustomed to her American manners I will find that I love her like a sister," Vivian said. Sophronia was sure there was no chance that they would grow to love each other like sisters unless perhaps she meant the step-sisters from Cendrillon.
    "We have plans to go to the circus later this week. Would you care to join us?" Mercy asked.
    "I do not hold circuses in particularly high regard. However, I suppose that if the rest of you are going I will accompany you," Vivian said.
    "I expect it will be fun," Sophronia said.
    "I suppose you would be amused by a Punch and Judy show as well," Vivian said with a laugh that seemed haughty to Sophronia though she could not be sure. She did not know Vivian well enough to read her.
    "I thought we could stay inside today and read. It looks like rain is coming," Mercy said.
    "It does indeed," Vivian said.
    "I just finished reading this lovely book about a family that is stranded on an island-" Mercy started but Vivian cut her off.
    "Mercy, dearest, you know I love you like my own sister. But like her, I find your taste in books lacking a certain refinement. I have no interest in the adventure stories you read as if the publishers would quit them. I almost wish they would. Really, how many people end up stranded on deserted islands fending off savages and such nonsense."
    "Dearest sister, you know that the Wolstenholme library is vast. I am sure we can find a book suited to your