Free To Tame a Rogue by Kelly Jameson Page B

marriage was not a happy union. Why did he bet on marriage again? Let’s hope this one goes more smoothly for him and his new lady.
     
      Nicholas looked up when he was done reading. “Since when do you read gossip columns?”
    Kipp ignored the question. “A rather grave loss for ladies the world over, I thought.”
    “It’s true. I am married. I was hoodwinked by my own father, from the grave. I was married several nights ago.”
    Kipp laughed. “I can’t wait to meet the little filly who managed to corral you. Lavinia will be so disappointed.”
    Nicholas frowned. “Actually, my dear chap, I had to marry her. It was a provision of my father’s will. A deathbed request. Well, not really a request. In order to inherit his properties and wealth, I had to agree to the match. However, it turned out to be a rather profitable business transaction. I’ve inherited my father’s properties as well as his ships, so I’ve had the last laugh. I’ve been running his business for the past five years anyway; I’m the one who built it back up after Philip left.” He frowned.
    “If Philip reads about Caindale’s death, wherever he is, and comes back expecting to be Lord of the manor, he’s in for a rude surprise.”
    Nicholas filled Kipp in on all the details—the urchin’s attempt to have the arrangement called off, her former occupation at the tavern, her uncle’s bold threats, and the unexpected provisions of his father’s will. He told Kipp he and his wife had come to a mutual agreement—the marriage would be in name only—but only they, and now Kipp too, knew that.
    “It doesn’t make any sense,” Kipp said, pouring himself a brandy. “Why would your father subject you to that? Did he know the girl?”
    “My father never missed an opportunity to ridicule me. First, it was neglect. Then when I started to demonstrate my business acumen, and when Philip humiliated him with his own disappearing act, it turned to ridicule and revenge. I have my suspicions about how my father knew her and her uncle, and I’m sure it was his final chance to humiliate me by forcing the marriage to the little whore. Caindale probably owed the man a huge gambling debt and he wanted her off his hands."
    "That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"
    Nicholas frowned, grabbed a bottle of bourbon and poured himself a liberal drink. "It's true. She's … experienced, if you prefer those terms. And if Philip wasn’t going to inherit, I was my father's last choice. Of course I should have known there would be stipulations.”
    Nicholas raked a hand irritably through his hair. “She’s not my type, but she is attractive. She’s also very good at projecting an aura of innocence—at playing the virgin, which she quite clearly is not. You’ll meet her soon enough.”
    “I’m looking forward to it. You could always hire an investigator, you know. To find Philip.” Kipp noted the anger, the gold, glacial glint of his friend’s eyes, his fists as he clenched the newspaper article in one hand and the glass of bourbon in the other.
    “She’s had quite an effect on you. What you need, my friend, is a good night of gaming and fighting. What do you say?”
    “Make it a night of wenching and you’re on.”
    Kipp arched a sandy brow and smiled. “The ladies will be quite relieved that marriage has not changed your rakish ways, Nick.” Kipp poured himself a glass of brandy. “Cheers, old fellow. I see no reason why we can’t get an early start on the evening.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
    17
     
    There was another man who was quite intrigued by the newspaper article. He’d almost missed the small paragraph as he scanned the forwarded newspaper, now a week old. He smiled to himself as he watched the trade clouds pile in tumbling heights to the north, their lower ridges scalloped with flame. The ocean sighed and stirred with unhurried speed until it reached the sandy shores.
    “What are you thinking about, love?” The man turned his head and took in