Page 54 of Beyond Scandal and Desire
“In a manner. Did anyone other than the duke ever take your fancy?”
She smiled softly, as though in remembrance. “I had a swarm of beaux, but they were all pleasant, like a warm summer afternoon. Then I met Hedley, and he ignited a storm within me. With him, I felt alive.” She shook her head. “It’s difficult to explain.” Her gaze zeroed in on Aslyn. “Are you having doubts?”
Aslyn took hold of her teacup as though it could provide her with some sort of stability, when the bone china was likely to crumble if she held on too tightly. “I do love Kip. I just don’t know if it’s the sort of love a woman should have for a man she’s to marry. I suppose of late, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the intimacy of marriage”—she released a self-conscious laugh—“and I’m just having a difficult time envisioning it.”With Kip.
“The experience can be quite lovely. I’m certain Kip will lead you into it gently.” Averting her gaze, she sipped her tea, a blush creeping along her cheeks. Aslyn realized she probably was not at all comfortable contemplating her son in bed with her ward. Not that she blamed her.
“Do you think the duke cared for anyone before you?”
The duchess sighed. “It’s quite possible. I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to know, but ladies adored him. He was so handsome and charming. I could hardly fault them.” She set her cup down and held Aslyn’s gaze. “Yes, I suspect there was someone before me. But whoever she was, she couldn’t hold on to him. And since we’ve married, he’s never strayed and that’s what matters.” Reaching across the table, she placed her hand over Aslyn’s. “Love grows with time and deepens over the years. You’ll have struggles and challenges, but you’ll lean on each other and your relationship will grow stronger.”
Aslyn worried that the trials they might face would not be ones they could easily overcome—not when they were the result of one person’s actions, actions that could be controlled, altered, changed if he so chose, which he apparently did not.
“I’ve always thought of Kip as a dear friend, as my . . . destiny.” She laughed lightly, embarrassed by the absurd remark. “I’ve never looked at anyone else, never considered anyone else, never doubted Kip’s devotion to me or mine to him.”
“Are you doubting now? Has he done something to warrant your qualms?”
How could she tell his mother about the lost pearls and comb? “I’m certain the reservations rest with me, with my recent worry that I’ve not experienced enough of life to know for certain I’m making the correct decision. I’ve never spent any considerable time in the company of another gentleman.”
The duchess jerked her head back as though she’d been punched. “Well, proper ladies don’t, of course.”
“Proper ladies have an assortment of gentlemen call on them and sit in the parlor enjoying each other’s company. I’ve never welcomed another’s suit.” Another harsh laugh. “Although to be honest, no one ever asked to call on me. Everyone always assumed Kip was it for me. I fear I’ve missed out on courting rituals that are designed to help a lady choose.”
“You’ve grown up with Kip. I daresay there is little about him you don’t know.”
Only there were some things, some horrific things if she were honest. The night before last, she’d seen an unflattering side to him. “How do we ever learn everything there is to know about a person?” Without question she didn’t know a good many things about Mick Trewlove.
“I doubt we ever do. Not really.” The final words were said softly as the duchess turned her attention back to the gardens. “That’s not a bad thing, necessarily. We all have our secrets.”
But shouldn’t she know everything about the person she was going to marry?
The duchess reached for her tea, turned her had slightly and smiled. “Well, speak of the devil.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Kip walking toward them. He looked considerably better than he had the last time she’d seen him. She was glad his expression reflected a bit of contriteness.
“Mother,” he said, leaning down and bussing a quick kiss over the duchess’s cheek. Finally, he looked at her. “Aslyn. I hope you’re well today.”
“I am. Quite.” A lie. She was tired, grumpy and confused. Two men were responsible for all three. She was rather put out with both.
“Mother, would you give me a moment alone with my betrothed?” he asked.
“Of course,” she said, smiling brightly at Aslyn as though to say that everything was all right, that all would be well, that her life with Kip would be extraordinary. “It’s nearly two. Time for your father and I to take our daily stroll through the gardens.”
Elegant and graceful, she wandered off to inspect the roses, providing them with privacy.
Kip took the chair his mother had vacated, sitting across from Aslyn. “I know you’re put out with me.”
“I am rather, yes.”
“I’m certain things were said that were not meant.”
“Not by me.”
He didn’t appear too pleased by her answer. Glancing off to the side, she watched as the duke joined his duchess and escorted her farther into the gardens. While Aslyn found the duke’s attentiveness to his wife touching, she realized now she couldn’t rely on Kip to show her the same consideration.
“I have something for you,” he said, bringing her attention back to him.
She watched as he reached into his jacket and brought out a small leather box. He set it on the table, then with two fingers pushed it toward her. “Open it.”
