Page 38 of A Whisper of Desire
He should have known Priscilla and the girls would want to meet his wife. His nuptials changed their lives too. “I wish you had let me know you were coming, I would have dissuaded you. There is trouble afoot and it may not be safe in London.”
She moved close and cupped his face. “I knew there was a story behind your marriage, given the suddenness and the special license. That is why I came. You know that I would never have left The Vyne otherwise. I will do anything to help.”
Maitland briefly closed his eyes as he let her soothing voice wash over him. His lustful rage diminished at her touch. Priscilla, of all people, understood about abstinence. Whenever he felt the reins of his control slipping into darker pleasures, he’d run back to The Vyne, and just seeing Priscilla eased his demons. Perhaps she was exactly what he needed in London, given the feelings Marisa aroused in him.
A loud cough at his side broke the spell. He realized what this must look like to Marisa and stepped back out of Priscilla’s reach. He no longer had amorous feelings for Priscilla, those had faded over the years, but she was a part of his life and had been his companion and support person for more than ten years. She was his friend, his good friend. Priscilla stood by him, even knowing all his secrets.
The next minute, excited little giggles and footsteps sounded on the stairs and the landing was soon crowded as Lady Antonia and Lady Penelope rushed to hug him.
“Goodness, you’ve both grown. Now, ladies, may I present my new duchess, Her Grace, Marisa.”
The girls clutched a hand each and turned to Marisa and gave a curtsey. Marisa returned the curtsey and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I love your dresses; you look so very grown-up.”
The two girls preened under her warm greeting and shyly let go of Maitland’s hands and moved closer.
“You’re very beautiful,” Penelope uttered.
Marisa’s face colored beautifully; the blush sweeping over her cheeks made her look so much younger than she was. She looked like an angel.
“Thank you.”
An awkward silence descended until Priscilla said, “You are dressed for riding. Don’t let our unexpected arrival disrupt your plans.”
He watched various emotions flicker over Marisa’s face: confusion, surprise, determination, and, to his horror, fear.
She briefly looked at him before saying, “Iamdue to meet someone on Rotten Row.” She addressed Maitland. “As we are dining in tonight, I look forward to getting to know you all. You must be tired from your trip. Rest and catch up with His Grace. No doubt he will inform you of everything that is happening, and I look forward to hearing tales of life at The Vyne.”
“I look forward to that,” Priscilla said.
“Brunton, please have Mrs. Heyer ready rooms for the girls and Her Grace. And perhaps we could have some refreshments delivered to the drawing room in half an hour.” He moved and pressed a kiss to Marisa’s cheek. “Enjoy your ride with Beatrice. We will see you at dinner.”
She gave him a small smile, as if she were worried about something, before descending the front entrance stairs to where her steed, Othello, stood saddled and waiting for her. They hadn’t really finished their discussion, but he knew the answer they would give Arend tonight. They would agree to Arend’s plan.
Priscilla slipped her arm through his. “Is everything all right? You seem preoccupied.”
He glanced at the girls. “We can leave the serious conversation until a more private moment.” He moved them toward the drawing room. “Come and tell me what you have been up to over the last few months. I’ve missed you.”
Chapter 11
So that’s Priscilla.Damn, she was incredibly beautiful. Marisa didn’t think she’d ever seen a woman as lovely as the dowager duchess. It was odd thinking of her as dowager anything—Priscilla looked young, only slightly older than herself.
It was obvious Priscilla and Maitland were close. The way they had embraced as if it were perfectly natural for them to do so, even with his wife present. Or had Priscilla done that deliberately to show Marisa how important Priscilla was in Maitland’s life?
Envy, like poison, slid through her blood, burrowing into her soul like a canker.
She spurred Othello toward her old home, not caring if the groom assigned to accompany her kept up. Sebastian better be there or she’d search all over London to find him. She wanted to know if she’d been made a fool. Did Priscilla own Maitland’s heart, and if so, why had he married her instead?
The sight of her family home caused a tightening in her throat. Only a few days ago she’d thought herself safe and happy in this house. Now she felt like a stranger walking into her own home. How could she convey how a little thing like a wedding and a marriage bed could change her life so irrevocably?
She waited for the footman to help her dismount, and she handed the reins to her groom. “I’ll only be half an hour.” She had to get home to dress for dinner.
Once admitted, she didn’t wait to be announced but made her way to Sebastian’s study. She did have the courtesy to knock, but before he could answer she entered. To her relief, Sebastian was sitting at his desk, alone. His smile gave way to a frown when he took in her agitated state.
He rose to his feet and came round from his desk. “What has happened? If Maitland is forcing you to go to that club—”
“No.” She shook her head, but ran into her brother’s open arms. “I made the decision while Maitland tried to dissuade me. We need to go ahead with Arend’s plan. It’s the only way, and Maitland would never let anything happen to me.”
“You’re special to him.”
