Free Romancing a Stranger by Shady Grace Page B

thought.”
    He should not have left Josephine to her own devices with the ladies. A room full of dancing, drinking, and cavorting people was more than a handful for a woman about to burst with child. But he needed his time away from the opposite sex, if not for strong drink and male company, then for a moment’s peace.
    Mindless chatter and feminine laughter filled his ears, mingling with the piano quartet playing in the front parlor. Silk and ruffles and tailored suits filled his vision. He shuddered as Bromley’s wife’s loud cackle met his ears. Why the man married such a loud woman went beyond Warden’s comprehension. But then again, Bromley was a crusty old fellow. They most definitely suited each other.
    When he entered the noisy parlor, Warden immediately noticed his wife standing apart from the crowd. Other ladies were staring at her curiously, some whispering to each other. He wondered if the argument had something to do with her.
    He halted, gazing at her from afar.
    Lush curves with a bust to tempt a saint; long, thick hair like spun gold; a set of deadly green eyes—she was the epitome of seductiveness. Unfortunately, the pleasantries ended there. On the inside, she harbored a lonely, indifferent nature.
    Their story began with a marriage of convenience. No courtship. No walks beneath a starlit sky. Warden simply followed his father’s urgings that the Bishop girl would bring him prosperity and thicken their business ties in the liquor industry. Though he cared for her, neither of them loved each other as a married couple should.
    He frowned, noting Millicent’s eyes were wide, almost in fear, he thought. Her gaze kept darting around the room as if she was lost.
    Perhaps she had too much champagne.
    He pushed his concerns aside and approached her, offering a bow. It was at that moment he realized her dress was far beyond acceptable. The deep red garment clung to her curves and barely covered her breasts. It even had a tear in the sleeve. Millicent would never wear this…
    “Are you quite all right, Mrs. Blackwood?”
    Her head snapped up, and she gaped at him. “Mrs. What ?”
    Warden chuckled, finding her humor enlightening for a change. “I could swear I heard a commotion a moment ago. Is everything fine now?”
    Her delicate brows drew together. “Where the hell am I?”
    Completely shocked that his wife would use such unladylike language, his jaw dropped. For a moment, he thought she truly did not know where she was, but he shook off the silly notion and offered his arm. “Come, my dear, before everyone pays you too much attention.” Perhaps she was a little drunk.
    Millicent hesitated, gazing up at him with pleading eyes. Those green orbs had always held him captive and aroused him beyond compare, but he was no fool. Millicent was not a sensual creature in the least.
    He cleared his throat, fighting his baser urges to rush her upstairs and ravage her. Lord knew he needed a good tumble under the bed sheets to ease his sexual frustration.
    After another lengthy pause, she finally accepted his arm and joined him in the center of the parlor, all the while glancing anxiously about the room.
    Friends and acquaintances milled about, some dancing, others conversing where they would. He did not care much for crowds either, but Josephine insisted on a celebration for her sister’s thirtieth birthday.
    “Do you feel old?” he asked.
    She stood barely to his chin and had to crane her neck to look at his eyes. She smelled like lavender, his favorite scent, and her shiny, golden hair was swept up in a dramatic twist. Ravishing was not a strong enough word for Millicent, and he found it unfortunate she was such a lonely soul.
    Shortly after their vows were spoken six months ago, Millicent chose to ignore Warden like every other cold wife. And, up until a few weeks ago, he was determined to win her over, but his patience had worn thin after numerous failed attempts.
    Now he had other plans.
    They fell into