Page 77 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Chapter Twenty-Five

After several daysof this maddening routine, Minta thought she would be driven to drink. Every day seemed the same. Long. Boring. Lonely. At night, she and Percy would dine together and then attend whatever affair they had been invited to. She was tired of putting on a false smile and lying to her friends about how happy she was. Afterward, they returned—and went to their separate rooms.

Finally, she put her foot down.

“I think we should stay home from tonight’s rout, my lord,” Minta ventured as dinner came to a close.

“We have indicated we would attend, my lady.”

She sniffed. “We are newlyweds and have attended a string of evening activities. Please? Our hosts will understand. I will even write an apology to them tomorrow if you wish me to do so.”

Her husband shrugged. “Very well.” He frowned. “I should have taken you on a honeymoon but I hated for you to miss your first Season. I am sorry I cut it short for you since you had so many suitors.”

She heard something in his voice and realized it was vulnerability. “I did not mind at all, my lord. I am rather proud to have wed you and be on your arm as we attend events.”

He gave her a shy smile, which made her heart sing with hope.

“Might we play a bit of backgammon tonight? I saw a gameboard in your sitting room.”

“If you’d like.”

Percy rose and helped her to do the same, escorting her upstairs. Minta’s heart beat furiously, happy that she would be spending time with him, away from all others.

They arrived at his suite and he seated her in one of two chairs that were next to a small, square table. It had a chessboard on it, which he took away, returning with the backgammon board.

“I do not know how to play chess. Perhaps you could teach me sometime?” she asked hopefully.

He chuckled. “You’ll want Louisa to teach you that game. She is one of the best players around and soundly beats Owen and most other challengers on a regular basis.”

“I adore spending time with Louisa. You know that. But I would rather you teach me how to play.”

He stiffened. “We will see.”

Minta knew what that meant. Every child did. It was a way of parents putting off a child. And now her husband used the same phrase on her. Anger simmered within her, which she tried to tamp down.

She helped Percy assemble the playing pieces and they spent a pleasant half-hour at play. He won the first game and so she demanded a rematch. When she took the second one, he said they must play a rubber match to determine the winner. Minta came close but, in the end, her husband won by the skin of his teeth.

He began sorting the pieces and took the board away. Instead of returning to the table, he said, “You must be tired. I will let you retire for the evening.”

That was the last thing she wanted.

Minta reached and took his hand, threading her fingers through his, feeling his warmth and inhaling the spice of his cologne.

“Would you come to my bed?” she asked softly.

Percy gazed at her a long moment, looking as if he were wrestling with himself.

“Yes,” he finally said.

Joy filled her. “Thank you.”

Instead of leaving and going along the corridor, Minta led him through the maze of connecting rooms until they reached her bedchamber. Bertha sat waiting for her and quickly bounced to her feet.

“You may retire for the evening,” she told the maid. “My husband will see to my needs.”

“Yes, my lady,” Bertha managed to say and quickly fled the room.

“She seemed a bit embarrassed,” he quipped.

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