Free Anne Ashley by His Makeshift Wife

regretting his actions. Quite
the contrary! He would no doubt be looking forward to a future with the young
woman whom he was increasingly feeling would make him the perfect wife and
mother of his children.
    ‘You’re the only one who knows the circumstances surrounding
our marriage, Ben,’ Luke said, forcing himself to concentrate his thoughts on
the present, ‘and I trust you to keep that privileged information to
yourself…but, yes, she is an exceedingly pretty young woman who I’m certain
possesses many fine qualities, which I have yet to unearth. I’ve already
discovered all the servants are as devoted to her as they were to my late aunt.
I also know she’s anything but light-minded. And, yes, she certainly doesn’t
want for spirit.’
    The hint of concern in his master’s voice was unmistakable.
‘You think she might prove to be a problem, sir?’
    ‘Having come to know her a little better, I would be foolish
indeed to rule out that possibility. I’ve gained the distinct impression that
she’s no longer inclined to dismiss me as nothing more than a feckless fribble.
And in truth it is a role I’ve found increasingly difficult to maintain, most
especially when around her, strangely enough. It is to our advantage, I suppose,
that she rarely ventures here. I’m reliably informed shooting game is not at all
to her taste. She’s more likely to be found on the west lawn practising her
archery skills. So our activities here shouldn’t receive too close a scrutiny.
All the same, it wouldn’t do for my young bride to get an inkling as to what I’m
really about down here, now would it?’
    ‘That it wouldn’t, sir.’
    ‘So, for the time being we must remain very much on our guard,’
Luke announced, after casting an eye over the lodge, which was showing clear
signs of neglect with its several missing tiles and peeling paintwork, not to
mention broken window-panes. ‘Besides, we can do little with workmen about the
place, putting it in order. When I travel to town later, I shall arrange for
work on the lodge to be started as soon as maybe. That should set me in good
stead with the locals. Leave it a few days, then see what you can find out from
the workmen that might be of interest.’
    ‘’Course I will, sir. But I don’t want you to go to a deal of
trouble or expense on my account,’ Ben urged him. ‘I’ve slept in worse places
than this, as well you know.’
    ‘We both have. But this isn’t Spain,’ Luke pointed out. ‘And it
wouldn’t do for my darling wife to become suspicious at this early stage. I’ve
introduced you as my most loyal servant. She would think it odd indeed if I
allowed you to dwell in a place where the roof leaks and the wind howls through
broken windows. She might then insist you reside with the other servants back at
the Manor. And that, my old friend, wouldn’t do at all!’
    * * *
    As Briony emerged from the house an hour later, dressed
in the grey gown and bonnet she had donned for the wedding, her mind was
completely empty of any suspicions regarding her spouse. If anything, she
experienced elation at seeing the most up-to-date racing curricle awaiting her
at the front entrance, with the tall figure of her husband in charge of those
two beautifully matched greys she had glimpsed earlier in the stable.
    ‘Are we to travel to town in this, sir?’ she asked, taking no
heed of the young groom whom she had also seen earlier in the barn.
    Luke, on the other hand, was very aware of the lapse and cast
her a frowning glance as he bent to lend her a helping hand to clamber up beside
him. ‘You do not need to be so formal in front of the servants, my darling. None
of them will take it amiss if you address me by my given name. And, yes, I do
intend to travel in the curricle,’ he added, after she had acknowledged the
blunder with an apologetic look. ‘You have no objections, I trust?’
    ‘None whatsoever,’ she assured him. ‘I’ve never travelled in a
racing carriage