Rule's Bride Read Online Free Page B

years Violet’s senior, a man of some means she had met six months ago at a party given by a friend of Aunt Harriet’s. Jeffrey was an attorney who worked a great deal in the shipping business. Since Griffin shipped armaments around the world, they had something in common.
    They had become friends of a sort, and eventually Violet had confided the truth of her hasty, ill-considered marriage. A few weeks later, Jeffrey had revealed his very strong attraction to her and his interest in making her his wife.
    Of course all of that was moot at the moment.
    First she had to obtain an annulment, which would make possible her second reason for coming on such a long journey.
    She wanted to sell Griffin Manufacturing.
    The driver jumped down and pulled open the carriage door, jarring her back to the present.
    â€œWe’re ’ere, ladies.”
    Mrs. Cummins gave the man one of her imperious looks. “You’ll need to wait, sir, while I make certain this is the correct address. If so, I shall be needing your services again.”
    â€œAye, madam.”
    Mrs. Cummins would be leaving Violet and Caroline there, though there was a chance they would be turned away. She had no idea what Rule Dewar would do when she appeared uninvited on his doorstep.
    As they reached the top of the brick stairs, Violet stood anxiously next to Caroline while Mrs. Cummins knocked on the ornate front door. A wispy, gray-haired man, apparently the butler, pulled it open. He looked down his long beak of a nose as if he couldn’t imagine what three women would be doing on his employer’s front porch.
    â€œMay I help you?”
    Violet spoke up—she was, after all, Rule’s wife. “I am Mrs. Rule Dewar. I am here to see my husband.”
    The butler was frowning, his bushy white eyebrows drawn nearly together. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
    â€œThen allow me to explain,” Mrs. Cummins said, thrusting her big bosom forward as she made her way closer to the door.
    â€œThis is Mrs. Dewar. She has crossed the ocean to see her husband. Now please go and find him and tell him that we are here.”
    The man was shaking his head, opening and closing hismouth like a fish on dry land, when Violet stepped past him into the foyer.
    â€œWhere is he?” she asked firmly.
    The butler looked helplessly around for assistance as the other two women followed her inside.
    â€œI am afraid…I am sorry, but his lordship is not at home.”
    His lordship? She thought his brother was the one with the title.
    â€œWhen is he expected to return?” Caroline asked, speaking up for the first time.
    â€œSometime after supper. It could be quite late. Lord Rule rarely keeps me informed of his whereabouts.”
    Violet shared a glance with Caroline, whose eyes had rounded at the reference to Rule as a lord. “My cousin and I will each need a room,” Violet said. “Please show us upstairs to our quarters, if you would.”
    â€œB-but I can’t do that!”
    Violet drilled him with a glare. “Why not?”
    â€œBecause I…because I…”
    â€œKeep in mind that as his lordship’s wife, from now on you will also be answering to me. I hope you don’t mean for us to get off on a wrong foot.”
    The old man’s pale eyes widened. For several long moments, he just stood there.
    Caroline leaned toward her. “He doesn’t seem to know Dewar has a wife,” she whispered. This had not gone unnoticed by Violet.
    â€œWhich shall make an annulment all the easier,” she whispered back. “I am waiting,” Violet pressed.
    The butler cleared his throat. “I’ll have Mrs. Digby, the housekeeper, show you both upstairs.”
    Violet just smiled. She turned to their traveling companion. “You have done a very fine job, Mrs. Cummins. Caroline and I have both arrived safely, just as you promised. Which means your duties