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

She found herself pulled to her feet and face-to-face with Taran. “Go on,” he said in a low voice. His warm breath fluttered her eyelashes. “See to your things. One hour should suffice.”
    “One hour?”
    “Caroline,” her uncle’s voice turned hard.
    Taran gently pushed her towards the door, then faced her uncle. “Which will it be, Etherton, being locked in her room or a dawn appointment?”
    Caroline froze, her stare on her husband’s back. She couldn’t see his face, didn’t need to see his expression. The near whisper with which he’d spoken the words left no room for question that Lord Taran Blackhall had threatened her uncle.
    A glint appeared in her uncle’s eyes that said he understood full well Taran’s willingness to miss his all-important business in Scotland and remain in England through dawn tomorrow. A chill snaked down Caroline’s spine. Phillip Etherton climbed the social ladder just as he had plundered the South Seas as Peiter Everston. Dawn appointments were one prize among many.
    “The earl asked that I see to it my niece complies.”
    Taran didn’t twitch a muscle. “I have married your niece. Your obligation—and mine—have been fulfilled.”
    “She intends to force your hand, as you witnessed during the ceremony,” her uncle replied in smooth tones. “I am well acquainted with her tactics and can ensure she does no lasting damage.”
    “Lasting damage?” Taran repeated with a condescension Caroline feared would push her uncle to immediate violence. His reputation kept all but the most foolish youngsters and the occasional enraged husband at bay. “Her amusing attempts to discomfit me,” Taran went on, “are no more damaging than that tea she spilt on her dress.”
    Her uncle regarded him for a long moment. “The earl would not appreciate his son interfering where he should not.”
    “Beware you do not interfere where you should not.” Taran started to turn, then added, “Give my regards to the earl.” He turned on his heel and scowled when his gaze met Caroline’s. He took two steps towards her, catching her elbow as he propelled her forward. “Madam, if you insist on dallying at every turn, I shall miss this, and every other meeting, for the duration of our marriage.”
    Caroline tripped and his hold on her tightened as he navigated her out of the study. She stared at the long dark fingers encircling her arm, the same fingers that had gently caressed her breasts. How much more steel would she feel from those fingers if he discovered the honour of the woman he defended had been lost to him only the night before? Taran released her at the stairs, inclined his head in a slight bow, then pivoted and headed towards the kitchen.
    She gaped at his retreating back. If Uncle discovered the truth and Taran called off the marriage, the dawn appointment would become a reality.

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    Taran cast a glance at Phillip Etherton’s front door, saw his wife had yet to appear, then pulled William aside from the waiting carriage.
    “Where have you been?” he demanded. “The breakfast is finished and we are about to depart.”
    The viscount flashed a wicked grin. “A certain young lady at the chapel was in need of consoling. Seems her husband is spending far too much time with his mistress and ignoring her altogether.”
    Taran gave him a deprecating look. “An angry husband will prove your undoing.”
    William’s grin widened. “If I am fortunate, it will be the lady who proves my undoing.”
    “Never mind that,” Taran snapped. “I need to know the identity of the Aphrodite you were dabbling with last night.”
    “Aphrodite?” he repeated.
    “You and she were behind the column early into the masque.”
    “Ah, yes. She was a dainty piece. Sent me for punch, then disappeared.” William gave him an appraising look. “I wondered who had stolen her away from me.”
    “I did not steal her away. She fled your company.”
    William’s brow furrowed. “I