Page 28 of Irresistible
“I suppose we should sleep.” Jess yawned.
“We should,” he agreed. “Good night, my pigeon.” He barely finished the word before a laugh eclipsed it.
“Pigeon?” Jess giggled. “I think you must call me that tomorrow.”
“And what will you call me?”
“In keeping with the animal theme, how about my stag?”
“Oh, that’s majestic. I like it. Pigeon seems rather inadequate now.” He fell quiet a moment. “How about my swan?”
Jess recoiled. “Swans are mean. I confess that’s how I always thought of the other young ladies of the ton.”
“Not that, then,” he said. “I shall come up with something appropriate.”
“I can hardly wait to hear it. Good night, Dougal.”
“Sleep well, Jess.”
Jess had been surprised that she’d fallen asleep quickly after climbing into the bed with Dougal. She hadn’t even realized she’d been sleeping with another person. Thankfully, he hadn’t snored.
Upon awakening, they’d donned their wigs, and he’d put on his spectacles. Then they’d rung for breakfast, dining at the table and enjoying the view of the sea.
They were mostly able to dress themselves, but Dougal had accepted her help tying his cravat, and she’d enlisted him to fasten her necklace. The word that came to her mind was one he’d used last night: domestic.
Pretending to be married was shockingly pleasant. They’d talked of writers over breakfast, speculating who else might be represented here in the naming of the rooms. Dougal was intelligent and charming, and she was gladder than ever that he hadn’t turned out to be a boor, which she’d feared after their meeting at Lucien’s.
They made their way downstairs. Ogelby stood in the staircase hall as if he were awaiting them.
“Good morning, Ogelby,” Dougal said cheerily. “Have you been waiting for us?” His tone was teasing.
“Yes.” The butler’s short answer drew Jess and Dougal to exchange looks. “I’m to show you to the drawing room.”
Ogelby turned and led them—glacially—through a sitting room with a pianoforte and some other instruments and then into a large drawing room. Windows faced the sea, along with two sets of doors that opened onto a patio.
Their hosts were seated close together on a settee. “Come and join us!” Mrs. Chesmore said.
Their settee faced the windows, which left a pair of chairs or a smaller settee for Jess and Dougal. She knew he would choose the smaller settee, for then they could also sit close together and demonstrate their affection.
They moved in concert to the second settee and sat down as one. Dougal put his arm across the back behind her shoulders. The bare flesh of her nape prickled, and she hoped he didn’t notice.
“We can’t thank you enough for rescuing us last night,” Dougal said.
Mrs. Chesmore looked at them earnestly. “It is the least anyone would have done, isn’t it, my knight?” She turned her head toward her husband.
“Without question, my minx.” He pulled his gaze from his wife and fixed it on Jess and Dougal. “My head groom is repairing the breeching strap on your gig, and your horse is well cared for. I trust you slept well?”
“Exceedingly, thank you,” Jess responded.
“Your generosity is too much,” Dougal said, placing his hand on his chest. “With the gig being fixed, we’ll be able to continue on to Poole.”
“Is that your final destination?” Chesmore asked. “My beloved said you were on a second honeymoon. What a splendid enterprise.”
“We wished to spend time at the sea,” Jess explained. “After we wed, we journeyed to the Lake District.”
“How long have you been married?” Mrs. Chesmore asked.
“Two years,” Dougal replied.
