Free An Improper Wife by Tarah Scott and KyAnn Waters Page A

tea. Oddly, her husband had found her actions amusing. She steadied the tremble in her hand. The gold band on the third finger of her right hand weighed her down like lead. How had she managed to lose her innocence to the one man she wanted to avoid?
    Another thought struck. Perhaps the light of day had brought Lord Taran Blackhall to his senses and he’d realised the passion he felt for Aphrodite was nothing more than lust. Lust incited by the debauched atmosphere of the masque. That would make his anger all the worse.
    Taran appeared in the doorway. Caroline jerked. Tea sloshed over the cup’s rim, onto the saucer and her dress. She cried out.
    He uncle straightened. “Caroline.”
    Taran was at her side in an instant. He snatched a napkin from the table, dropped to one knee, and dabbed at the spot on her thigh. Fire shot to her core.
    “My lord.”
    She leant forward in order to set the cup on the table, realising too late her breast would brush his arm, and tried to dodge him. Cup and saucer hit the table with a clatter.
    Taran paused in dabbing at her dress. “Something wrong, my lady?”
    She snatched the napkin from him and glared.
    “No need to be embarrassed. The guests have all gone,” he said.
    “Clumsy girl,” her uncle muttered.
    Taran shot him a hard glance, then returned his attention to Caroline. “Forgive me for startling you.” He rose.
    Despite knowing the spot on her skirt was no longer wet, Caroline wiped at it.
    “I also ask forgiveness for forcing you to travel on your wedding day,” he said.
    She jerked her gaze onto him. “What?”
    “I am sorry you must face the journey back to Scotland so soon, but I—”
    “Scotland?”
    Taran frowned. “Yes, that is why I asked that the wedding be held here in Newcastle.” She started to reply, but he shifted his gaze to her uncle. “You did not tell her?”
    “I thought it best she not be given more reason to balk.”
    Taran’s lips thinned. He looked back at her. “Forgive me. I should have told you. We leave straightaway.”
    “Surely, I need not go with you. I am content to await you here.”
    He shook his head. “I have business that cannot wait an extra day.”
    Her stomach knotted. He couldn’t wait the night it would take to consummate the marriage. If he were anyone but the kilted god she had met last night, she would lead him to her bedchamber and be done with the consummation.
    “My lord, such a trip will require packing and a maid. Surely you would not demand I go without a maid.”
    “Bring anyone you like.”
    “But, I have not arranged with anyone among the staff to leave.”
    “Your personal maid?”
    Caroline shook her head. “I employ no personal maid.”
    “You may employ one when we reach Strathmore.” She started to argue, but he added, “I am sorry. Your bags can follow. They will reach us within a day of our arrival. Anything you need between now and then may be purchased.”
    Anger bubbled to the surface. He spoke easily enough of making purchases with her money. “Mabel cannot know what to send. How long will we stay?”
    “We will live at Strathmore.”
    Caroline stared. “Live? But—”
    “You will do as your husband says,” her uncle cut in.
    Caroline took care to keep her attention on her husb—Taran—he was not yet fully her husband, at least not until they consummated the marriage. The fact that the wedding night had taken place before the wedding would be of no consequence, so long as no one knew.
    “John and I were to reside in London,” she continued.
    “Caroline—” her uncle began.
    She swung her gaze onto him. “You have married me off, sir. As I said earlier, your right to command me is lost.”
    His mouth tightened. “Careful, my dear.”
    She didn’t flinch from his gaze. “Will you lock me in my room, or perhaps a dawn appointment will teach me a final lesson I shall not soon forget?”
    His eyes darkened. “Do not press me, Niece.”
    Strong fingers closed around her arm.