Page 28 of The Duchess in His Bed
“I miss him,” Alice said quietly.
“I know, sweeting. As do I.”
“We’ll be spinsters before we have our first Season,” Connie said.
“Stop worrying about your future,” Alice said.
“Flo and I were to have our coming out. Now it’ll be delayed because we can’t very well gad about when Selena is in mourning. We need her to accompany us. Winslow would be wretched at ensuring we’re seen. It’s not fair.”
“It’s not as though Lushing died on purpose,” Alice reminded her. “We’re supposed to be comforting Selena.”
“Being squished in my bed is very comforting,” she assured them.
“Where will we live?” Flo asked.
“The day after the funeral, the solicitor will read the will. I’m sure Lushing has provided for us. And there is always a chance that things could turn out very different from what you’re expecting.”
“How?” The bed shifted, and she was fairly certain Connie had sat up with her question. “What are you talking about?”
“She could be with child,” Flo answered. “And if it’s a boy, it would be Lushing’s heir and nothing would change at all. It won’t matter when we have our Seasons. We’ll still be associated with a great dynasty and men will flock around us.”
She had the rather maudlin thought that men should flock around them for themselves. They were smart, clever, and witty. Each had her own talents and interests. Why should the title with which they were associated or the residences in which they resided make a difference as to how they were perceived?
Aiden Trewlove had begun life cast aside with not so much as a farthing handed to him—and yet he’d worked hard to make something of himself, something to be admired. He was kind and liked to have fun. And his laugh, dear God, his laugh could lift the foulest of moods. He was a bastard, no man’s son, and yet still found it within him to laugh. And for a short time, he’d made her forget she was a widow. Then he had comforted her with more sincerity than she’d heard today from those who’d come to express their regrets and she suspected she’d hear from others on the morrow.
“Are you with child?” Alice whispered as though saying the words aloud would prevent them from being true.
“It’s possible. Too soon to tell.”
“Lushing would be pleased.”
“Only if it’s a boy,” Connie said. “Society cares only about heirs.”
“I care about girls,” Selena said. “I care about all of you. I love you dearly.”
And because she did, she’d do anything necessary to see them happy and well situated.
Chapter 9
Walking into the Mermaid and Unicorn was always a bit like coming home, and the atmosphere of the tavern had everything to do with Aiden’s sister Gillie. She’d worked hard to make the place a sanctuary for those facing hardships or in need of respite after long hours of laborious work. The tables ranged from the small square ones that seated four to the lengthy ones that would accommodate more than a dozen. Benches and chairs provided rest for weary bodies, and when those weren’t available an elbow planted on the counter in front of the barrels and taps sufficed to provide refuge, especially as Gillie spent most of her time behind it, constantly offering a willing ear to those who had troubles to whine about or joys in need of celebrating.
The rush of people popping in for a pint and a midday meal had passed so Aiden didn’t have to jostle through a crowd to make his way to the polished wood that fairly gleamed his reflection. One of Gillie’s girls smiled and winked at him. If he were an ordinary customer, she’d have greeted him with “What’s your pleasure, treasure?” But since she was well aware of who he was, she knew Gillie was already pouring his pint. It was waiting for him when he reached the bar.
“I haven’t seen you about in a while.” His sister studied him intensely in an effort to ensure all was right with him.
“The new business is keeping me occupied—more so than I’d expected.”
“It’s going well, then?”
“No complaints.” He took a sip of his beer, relishing the flavor. “I’m in need of your finest bottle of wine. One that goes particularly well with strawberries.” The fruit was going to cost him a fortune, because it wasn’t yet in season so he’d have to find some that had been cultivated in a conservatory. He had plans for Selena tonight, having no doubt whatsoever she’d be returning to his arms once darkness descended.
“My finest is in the cellar at Coventry House.” Her duke’s London residence—now hers as well.
“What would it cost me to have you part with it?”
“What do you need it for?”
“A little seduction.”
