Free Rule's Bride by Kat Martin Page A

Stanfield smiled. “A woman with a head for business. How unusual.” He turned to Rule. “I believe you have managed to capture yourself a very interesting female.”
    â€œHer maiden name is Griffin,” Rule explained. “Violet spent a good deal of time with her father at the Boston branch of the business.”
    â€œI am also half owner of Griffin,” she said sweetly, drawing a frown from Rule.
    Stanfield studied her with heightened interest. “Is that so? Then perhaps I can win your support for my cause.”
    She kept her smile in place. “I’m afraid I would have to discuss the matter with…my husband.”
    Stanfield cocked an eyebrow. “Indeed. A promise I shall hold you to, my lady.”
    Rule’s hand settled possessively at her waist. “If you will excuse us, there are some other people I would like my wife to meet.”
    â€œOf course.” Stanfield made a polite bow and stepped out of their way. Leaving the man behind, she let Rule guide her rather forcefully toward a quiet area off the main part of the ballroom.
    â€œIt is not considered polite to discuss business matters at affairs such as these.”
    â€œIs that so? Or is it merely impolite for a woman to discuss business matters at affairs such as these?”
    Rule eyed her darkly. Then a corner of his mouth edged up. “You are not like other women, Violet Dewar. Perhaps that is the reason you intrigue me.”
    â€œDo I?”
    His blue eyes darkened. “In ways you are yet too innocent to understand.” He took her arm and laced it with his. “Come. We’ll make a pass round the ballroom. I’ll speak to a few more of the guests and then, if you are ready, we’ll go home.”
    Violet breathed a sigh of relief. “I should like that above all things…my lord.”
    It was the first time she had used his title and Rule grinned, carving the dimples she remembered into his cheeks.
    â€œMy lord?” he repeated as if she had finally accepted him as her master. “That has a very nice ring.”
    She bit back a smile and shook her head. “You are a devil, Rule Dewar.” With the devil’s own charm.
    And the way her stomach lifted when he looked at her the way he did now, as if she were a particularly delectable sweet, put her on guard.
    If she weren’t extremely careful, she might wind up in the devil’s bed.
    Â 
    Rule left Violet in the care of his sisters-in-law and wove his way among the guests. As much as his somewhat tarnished reputation would allow, he wanted to smooth the way for his wife’s admittance into the inner sanctum of upper-class British Society.
    As he paused here and there to speak to friends and answer questions about his bride and his unexpected marriage, he began to frown at some of the things he was overhearing. Gossip about the reasons for his hasty wedding, implications that his bride had been less than pure at the time they spoke their vows.
    He tried to explain about Howard Griffin’s illness and the arrangement the man had made to secure his daughter’s future, but the more he talked, the more smug smiles and winks he received and the more irritated he became.
    It surprised him to feel so protective of Violet when he had never felt that way about a woman before. He hadn’t known his mother, who had died giving birth to him. The only females in his family were his frail old aunt Agatha,whom he adored as the mother he never had, and his sisters-in law, whom he greatly respected.
    He told himself his protectiveness came simply because Violet was his wife and not because he was so strongly attracted to her, not because he admired her for having the courage to travel all the way to England to confront him.
    He watched her laughing at something Reese said. Reese, who rarely joked and hardly ever smiled until he married Elizabeth.
    Rule liked it when Violet smiled. He would like it even more if