Page 47 of Why Do Earls Fall in Love?
Chapter 10
Whiddon was mourning the lack of crumpets with his breakfast when Tensford and Sterne showed up. They took seats at his table and called for a porter to bring another.
“Chester will be here directly,” Tensford told him. “But why in three hells are you here? Shouldn’t you still be abed with your bride?”
“She’s cleaning the house,” he replied sullenly.
His friends exchanged glances. “Ah, we thought that might happen,” Sterne said. “Truly, though, it’s a good thing.”
“You didn’t honestly expect her to live like that, did you?” Tensford’s brows were raised. “It’s time. If your father hasn’t shown up by now . . .”
“Yes, but he might still come thundering in when he hears of the marriage—and now I will have lost my chance.”
“Lost your chance to do what?” Chester had arrived. He took a seat and inserted himself into the conversation at the same time.
“To give my father fits when he sees the townhouse,” Whiddon said, swatting his friend’s fingers away from his bacon.
“Charlotte is cleaning,” Sterne told Chester.
“Already?” Chester shrugged. “You have to admit, it will be nice to be able to visit him at home.”
“Not any time soon,” Whiddon grumbled. “It will be nothing but chaos for weeks.”
“You’ll survive,” Tensford soothed. “And in the meantime, just enjoy the compensations of married life.”
“Compensations? It’s been naught but complications, rather, from beginning to end.”
The other three stared at each other, then at him.
“He’s not sleeping with her!” Chester blurted.
“Why aren’t you sleeping with her?” Sterne asked.
“Hell and damnation,” Tensford swore. “Whiddon, what is wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong.”
“Don’t you want to sleep with her?” asked Chester, incredulous.
“Of course I do! I don’t need to, though.”
“You don’t want to need to,” Tensford said, wisely. Damn him.
“I just think it will be for the best if we wait.”
“Wait for what?” Chester looked truly puzzled.
“For things to settle down. For us to grow . . . used to each other.” For him to gain some distance and get his volatile emotions under control.
Glances flew between the others again.
“Two days,” Chester declared. “Three, tops.”
“I give it a week,” Sterne countered.
Tensford merely watched Whiddon closely.
Whiddon threw down his napkin. “If I hear of this hitting a betting book, I’ll string each one of you up by your balls, and thennoneof us will be sleeping with our wives.”
