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

taste," Claire said.
    Claire took Vivian's arm and led her out of the room.
    "I suppose I shall check to see if you have a copy of The History of Maria Kittle. It is just the kind of book that Mercy would love," Sophronia said. It was also exactly the kind of book Vivian would hate. It was a story about savage Indians taking a family captive.
     
    Nathaniel was glad when he and Eldon were the only ones remaining in the room. He was sure the library was erupting in sparks but that was not his concern so long as those sparks did not turn to flames.
    "You will want to watch yourself," Eldon said softly.
    "How do you mean?"
    "Vivian. She is not to be trusted," Eldon said. He was looking down into his drink and Nathaniel was not entirely sure that his brother was actually talking to him at all.
    Still, what right did Eldon have to give advice on women?
    "I am sure she will avoid thieving any books from the library. I would wager a woman like her would prefer to steal jewels if she was to be a thief at all," Nathaniel said.
    "The books are safe. Jewels too. Hearts are another story," Eldon said.
    "I am married now so I think it unlikely that my heart is at any risk. It would be of no benefit to her. I can not marry her any more easily than you could," Nathaniel said.
    "I have made many mistakes over the years but Vivian was never one of those no matter how much she wanted to be," Eldon said.
    Did his brother really think he was God's gift to women? Just because he had a drunken night with Sophronia did Eldon assume all women wanted to fall helplessly into his bed?
    Nathaniel bit his tongue. Nothing he said would make a difference. Not to his brother or to himself.
    Instead he stood up from the table and walked out of the room. Hercules needed more training and he was sure Jonah had already cleaned their kennels, fed them, and taken them for their morning exercise. He might be able to train through all the meals of the day. It would be a nice excuse to avoid both Vivian and Sophronia. The more he could avoid the two of them the happier his life would be.

Chapter 10
     
    Sophronia looked one final time in the mirror. Ruth had done an excellent job. Not only did her clothes hide her protruding belly but they also brought out the plumpness of her breasts which were swollen as a result of the pregnancy. An onlooker who did not know her situation would think only that she was an attractive and well endowed woman.
    Ruth had also put up her hair beautifully. It was braided in intricate patterns that the servants her father employed would never have thought to do. She was sure she was still no match in beauty for Vivian but she would be pretty enough that Nathaniel would not be ashamed to have her on his arm.
    Nathaniel and Eldon were already waiting at the bottom of the staircase with Mercy. She thought she saw Nathaniel take a deep intake of breath but she could not be sure. She also did not know why his reaction to her should matter. She was no longer some young girl seeking a husband. Now, she was a married woman. She was a woman who could grow plump and dour with no consequences to herself. She did not plan to be either plump or dour as those things best described her mother and she had no interest in becoming a younger model of her mother. Still, it would not change her marriage status if she ignored her looks.
    "Claire and Vivian had better hurry if we are to get there before it starts," Eldon said. She noticed that his eyes were red and his hand shook. She wondered if he had a flask with him or if he was planning to attempt to get through the evening without the help of alcohol.
    "Let me take you to the carriage so you can get comfortable while we wait," Nathaniel said. He offered his arm to both her and Mercy. They both took an arm and he led them outside to where the carriage was waiting.
    A footman that Sophronia had not met before opened the carriage door. She was about to step into the carriage when she started.
    "Are those