The Seduction of His Wife by Tiffany Clare

forward to spending the summer with just the three of us.”
    “I see no reason for him to say otherwise.”
    Emma hoped he wouldn’t send her sisters away. She didn’t think she could stay in this house with him alone for company. She needed the support of her sisters. They’d help distract Richard if Waverly decided to make another appearance. It felt like her control over her world was tumbling down around her.
    “Besides,” Grace said, “I’m sure he’ll let us spend at least a few weeks here. If he does ask us to leave, there is no reason for you not to join me at Winston Estate, Abby.”
    “That wouldn’t be the three of us.” Abby sighed.
    They walked with their arms linked back up to the house. The study and adjoining library overlooked the gardens. Her husband stood in the window, watching them amble up the steps as the other man talked animatedly with his hands.
    Richard’s gaze was solely focused on her as she made her way up the path. That small something in her lower belly turned into a greater feeling. Goodness, she’d never had her wits about her when that man was around. His presence had always unsettled her.
    Tearing her gaze away from Richard’s, she headed indoors. How strange to have him here after so many years. How strange to still want something more from him even after he’d abandoned her without a care.
    She could not forget the reason he was here, though. He thought her an unfaithful wife. To accuse her of something so disgraceful set her teeth on edge.
    *   *   *
    It was safe to say his wife was not happy to see him.
    “Two sisters. You didn’t tell me there were so many staying here. Perhaps this wasn’t the best place to come.”
    “I didn’t realize they were staying on.”
    Dante put his shoulder to the wall. “One of the sisters was sitting in the carriage outside of Madam Purforry’s.”
    That was an interesting fact. The madam hadn’t been able to enlighten him on who his wife was set to meet. If Emma had been there for an assignation, why would one of the sisters wait for her outside?
    “No sense in worrying about their presence since we can’t change it. It’s unlikely anyone will come here looking for me. This is as safe a place as any. I’m sure your hide will be in as much danger as mine as the weeks unfold and the business is taken apart and sold off.”
    “No doubt. But you should do both of us a favor and send the other women away.”
    “My wife would not welcome the idea, and may decide to leave with them. I’ll not tolerate that.” This newfound possessiveness was rearing its ugly head when he least expected it.
    “It’ll be safer for her if she goes elsewhere. Safer for the three of them.”
    Walking over to the sideboard, Richard poured out two fingers of whiskey for them both. “I can look out for the welfare of my wife.” The idea of sending Emma away irritated him. He wanted her close. “We both know this will settle down in a few weeks. A month at most. People will be after the next man who deals in opium and altogether forget our involvement.”
    Sitting behind the desk, he set his glass down and riffled through the drawers. There were stacks of old letters—business correspondence of his late father, he assumed. When Dante made to sit across from him, he stopped shuffling through the papers and looked up.
    “Aren’t you going to explore the house? There are more entrances and passageways here than I could name offhand. You may want to learn your way around.”
    “While we agreed that I’m better trained to handle any mercenaries, that does not make me your servant.”
    “I’ll not spend my every waking moment in your company. I’ve had enough of it this week.”
    Dante let loose a deep chuckle. “Then I will find my way to my own room.”
    He stood slowly, glancing over to the glass-paned doors that led outdoors and the paneled wall with a brass latch that opened into the library, and then walked toward the entry they’d