Page 63 of A Gentleman's Wife

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Marianne stirred but kept her eyes closed, wanting to linger in the perfect comfort and overwhelming peace she’d found. Despite the chill in the air, she was wrapped in warmth. As her eyes slowly opened, Thomas’s room filled with soft morning light, reminding her of everything that had passed the night before. It brought a smile to her lips, and as she stretched her arms and legs beneath the blanket, her happiness could not be contained. She let out a sound that mixed a squeal and a sigh, until another sound filled the room.

“Good morning,” was Thomas’s cheerful greeting.

Shooting upright in bed, she saw him leaning against the hearth, arms folded across his chest, already dressed and preened to perfection. The sight of her handsome husband made her heart skip a beat, and not just because of the amused expression in his brown eyes as he watched her.

“Good morning,” Marianne responded, holding the blanket up to her neck. “Must you be off to your business so soon?”

Thomas chuckled, moving to sit beside her on the bed. “It’s already late in the morning, though I would much rather linger here with you.” He brought her hand up to his lips, keeping eye contact with her and making her skin cover with gooseflesh. “It seems my grandfather has arrived with business of his own, so I cannot keep him waiting.”

Marianne blinked. “Your grandfather? Were we expecting him?”

“Not to my knowledge. Though I’m certain he doesn’t intend to stay. Besides, we have a dinner party to attend this evening, don’t we?”

The invitation to Lady Violet’s was not something Marianne had been looking forward to. “Must we go?” she asked, covering his hand with hers.

“I’m afraid we must, though it needn’t be for long. For I much prefer your company to anyone else’s.”

Thomas intertwined his fingers with hers, and he leveled his eyes at her, already darkened with desire. He didn’t attempt to hide it, and it brought a blush to her cheeks, making her look away. He pressed his lips to her hand, and only then did she notice where she’d neglected the nightdress as it slid over her shoulder, for it drew Thomas’s gaze enough that he lowered his lips to her bare skin. She inhaled a deep breath and closed her eyes, rushed with the now familiar intimacy of his kiss. His mouth moved slowly across her shoulder, her collar bone, the curve of her neck, the length of her jaw. Then pausing just long enough to brush his nose against hers, Thomas finally, blessedly, sealed his mouth over hers.

Her hand met with his jaw, pulling him close and hoping he’d stay for a moment longer. She toyed her fingers with the hair at the nape of his neck, and Thomas let out a small growling sound, which made Marianne proud. She had discovered a newfound confidence from Thomas’s affection, learning just how he desired her and knowing she could satisfy him. She felt powerful and womanly in a way she’d never experienced before, and she wanted to revel in it with him.

But there was already a finality in his kiss as he reluctantly pulled away.

“I shall never tire of your kiss,” he whispered, his lips mumbling against hers.

“Nor I yours,” Marianne managed to say, despite her unsteady breath.

“Stay here, and rest as long as you wish.” He pulled back to look in her eyes, his thumb caressing over her cheek. “I must go, but know I’ll think of nothing else but being by your side.”

Marianne nodded as he stood, and when he released her face, she immediately felt the lack of his touch. He slowly backed away toward the door, then paused, opening his mouth to speak. Marianne held her breath and waited, but no words came. Instead, he shook his head and smiled before disappearing out the bedroom door.

Leaning back against the collection of pillows, Marianne bit her lip and stared up at the top of Thomas’s four poster bed with a contented sigh. She truly was a gentleman’s wife now, and she would never want for anything else.

“You will annul the marriage immediately.”

The words stung like a slap across the face as soon as Thomas stepped into his study. They were so unexpected, he stopped in his tracks. Grandfather sat in the chair by the fireplace, his top hat on the table, as he fiddled with the cane in his hand.

“I… beg your pardon?”

“Your marriage to that… girl. You must have the marriage annulled. It’s an affront and an abomination to your family name.” Grandfather huffed. “And to think they kept it secret, shackling us with this disgrace. We should sue her family for breach of contract.”

Finally able to take steps, Thomas shook his head. “Surely that’s an overreaction, Grandfather. What seems to be the problem?”

Grandfather huffed. “As if you didn’t know. Not only is there the disfigurement of her arm which makes her completely unpresentable in fine company, there’s also this falling sickness. She may have barely achieved hosting the ball, but gossip is already beginning to spread. Her disappearing before the end of the night, for example. Her inability to complete simple tasks without assistance. People will talk. Nobility will notice.”

“The ones who matter will not care.”

“My boy, you cannot simply sweep this under the rug. This alliance will damage our good connections and ruin your children’s futures. You must take the contract to court and have it terminated.”

Thomas’s heart pounded angrily in his chest. “I will do no such thing.”

“You must!” Grandfather pounded his cane on the floor. “It is unfathomable to remain in such an agreement. It defies everything a Ramsbury stands for.”

“On what grounds?” Thomas growled. “What is her great offense?”

“Fraud, for starters. She may portray a woman who is whole and healthy when in reality, she is not. Incompetence, for no one who has these fits and convulsions as she does can be healthy of mind, let alone body. And impotence, for she cannot be expected to bear children in her state, and you, sir, need an heir. A healthy one.”

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