Page 37 of Secrets of the Marriage Bed
Chapter Seven
After dinner, Alistair indicated he would join his wife for tea in the drawing room. Hedged about with servants since returning from their ride, he’d had no further opportunity for private conversation with her about the matter his half-brother had raised. A matter he had decided, after considerable thought, could not be ignored.
While she went through the ritual of pouring tea, he sipped at his port. To his surprise, he enjoyed the simple pleasure of watching his wife’s graceful movements.
After their time in the orchard, he was beginning to wonder how long he could deny himself pleasure with his wife. And whether it was really necessary. As a punishment for past sins, he could tell himself it was fitting, though nothing would make up for those. But his abstinence was also punishing her, if the shadows in her eyes were anything to go by. A subtle punishment, that was true, nothing to cause her to flinch, but unkind. Ungentlemanly.
His intention had in no way been meant to make her unhappy.
Nor to ruin her health with worry. Though he could not be sure that was the cause of her recent bout of illness, she certainly seemed happier when he was not keeping her at a distance. She looked healthy enough now. Ravishing, in fact.
As long as he restrained his ardour, and he had no doubt he could...
Once she had her teacup in hand and was gazing at him over the rim, he raised his glass. ‘To my lovely and extraordinarily forbearing wife.’
She blinked uncertainly.
No doubt because she wasn’t certain of him. An indication of his bad behaviour.
‘You are no doubt wondering what warning Luke imparted.’
She smiled faintly. ‘Curiosity killed the cat.’ She sniffed at her tea, then took a delicate sip.
Was that the sort of thing her first husband had said to her? ‘I apologise for not telling you sooner.’
‘My greater concern was that I had stepped where even angels should not tread.’
A gentle criticism indeed, when he deserved a thorough dragging over the coals for not warning her. He let guilt rake its claws across his conscience. ‘I am sorry for that, too. Luke’s wife died years ago, after the birth of their second child. It did not occur to me to mention it.’
In truth, he hated recalling Elise, and how she had lured him into her bed, let alone speaking her name. How horrified he had been on his return from Italy to learn she’d borne his son after marrying his brother. No wonder Luke hated him. Their father had done neither of them any favours by spiriting Alistair out of the country and leaving Elise with no choice but to accept his brother’s hand.
‘I do hope he will bring his boys for tea one afternoon.’ Another delicately phrased admonishment.
‘When the honeymoon is over, perhaps.’ Luke had categorically refused to have anything to do with Alistair after his miraculous return from the Continent’s shores. No doubt Alistair’s reappearance had blighted all his hopes of inheriting the dukedom. Harsh words had been spoken when Alistair had discovered the terrible state of the duchy’s coffers. Now his brother was no doubt also resenting Julia’s appearance on the scene at least as much as, if not more than, Isobel, given that an heir would cut out both him and Jeffrey.
Alistair had no intention of relieving his brother’s mind on that score. Why should he? He would do his damnedest to outlive his half-brother and ensure the title went to the true heir. None of which he could tell Julia.
‘His mother has arrived in the neighbourhood.’
‘That is what you were whispering about?’
He took a long pull at his drink. ‘While Luke knows I would sooner never set eyes on her again, he advises that we get the introductions over and done.’
A frown creased her brow. ‘You think she won’t approve of me?’
Alistair stilled at the anxiety in her eyes. ‘I care nothing for what she thinks, but that is not the source of her unhappiness. She hates being merely theDowagerDuchess. It does not suit her pride.’ Nor did the potential displacement of her son as Alistair’s heir.
‘Should we invite her for tea along with your brother and his children?’
He grimaced. ‘I prefer to contend with them separately, if I must contend with them at all. Dealing with dear Stepmama is wearing enough without adding her darling son and grandchildren to the mix.’ Although Alistair admitted he would like to see more of Jeffrey. Get to know the boy. Hear about his hopes and dreams. Luke had refused to bring the boy anywhere near him, out of petty revenge no doubt, since he knew Alistair could never acknowledge the boy as his own without causing a scandal.
He didn’t care for himself, but Jeffrey did not deserve to carry such a burden.
A pause ensued, while Julia sipped her tea thoughtfully. She put down her cup. ‘I enjoyed our ride today. I am looking forward to more such expeditions.’
It was a change of topic, when he had thought she might take him to task for his lack of familial feeling. A rush of warmth filled him, for her kindness and for her support in his decision.
‘You have not noticed any ill effects from our outing?’
