Page 27 of A Marriage Most Convenient

“I don’t know what kind of lover Edmond is, or if the act itself is painful, because he has not touched me.”

It was Amelia’s turn to open and close her mouth like a landed fish. “What about your wedding night? He did not consummate?”

So, Charlotte told her about that night. How her maid had come to ready her. The special nightgown, and then crying herself to sleep. She’d donned that damned gown every night since, hoping he’d seek her company.

She released a watery laugh, realizing then that her tears had started to fall in earnest. “Ironic, isn’t it? How men always vied for my attention and I managed to marry the one man who is indifferent to me.”

“Do you think, perhaps, that Edmond’s affections lie in a different direction?” Amelia asked.

Charlotte frowned. “I’m not sure I know what you’re implying.”

“He could prefer men.”

“Oh, I had not considered such a notion.” Then she remembered that morning in her bed with the dogs when he’d stared so boldly at her barely covered breasts. That had been desire in his gaze, hadn’t it been? She was nearly certain.

“I don’t think that’s it though,” Amelia said. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It is no different than the way a hungry dog looks at a bone.”

Charlotte leaned back against the settee and banged her head softly three times. “How do I fix this, Amelia? How do I seduce my husband? I know we might not ever have a love match, but I would like to be a mother, if nothing else.”

“When I seduced Colin, I simply went into his bedchamber and removed my dressing gown. Then I stood before him nude and told him I wanted to have an affair, that I wanted him to touch me.”

Charlotte sat abruptly. “When did you do this?”

“That’s not important. What matters is that it worked. There was no way he could deny me in that moment.” Then she smiled conspiratorially. “I’ve done it since then too. Just waited for him in our room, laid out on the bed without a stitch of clothes on. One time I went into his study while he was working.” She giggled. “Works every time.”

“So, I should just wait for him, in his bed?”

“Are you not sharing a room?”

Charlotte’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

“That’s all right. It’s not unusual. That is why most houses come with adjoining rooms, dear.”

“He hates me, Amelia. Why would he offer to marry me if I make him this miserable?”

“Oh, he doesn’t hate you. That would be impossible. You’re perfectly delightful. And you’re smart. And so loyal.”

“You didn’t mention anything about the way I look.”

“Well, you can’t do anything about that. You’re either pretty or you’re not. And in the long run, none of that matters. Edmond knows you’re pretty. He has eyes.”

“If that were true, then wouldn’t he want to have relations with me?”

“Men are peculiar.” Amelia reached over and patted Charlotte’s hand. “You can fix this. Trust me. Just try the seduction. If that doesn’t work, we’ll figure something else out.”

“What if my marriage is just loveless? What if he never cares about me, never wants me?”

“That isn’t going to happen. I feel certain about it.”

“I wish I had your confidence.”

Amelia glanced at the door. “There is one other thing you can try,” she said, her voice quieter.

Charlotte nodded. “Go on.”

“Put your mouth on him.” Amelia’s eyes dropped to look at Charlotte’s lap. “Lick and suck him there. He will go insane.”

“On his member?” Charlotte asked.

---