Chapter Twelve
Alex stared at the door for a minute, then stormed across the room, flinging the door open. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Patience had obviously been waiting for him because she stood facing the door, arms crossed, tapping her foot. “What does what mean, Your Grace?”
“A marriage of convenience? Do you know what that means?”
“I believe I do.” She dropped her arms and sat at her dressing table, brushing her long, lush hair.
She was driving him crazy. All he wanted to do was rip off that detestable gown and toss her on the bed. “So, you are denying me my husbandly rights?”
She spun around on the chair. “Denying is such an ugly word, don’t you think?”
Alex sat on the bed, facing her, his legs spread. He leaned his elbows on his thighs. “You are aware that I need an heir?”
Patience nodded.
“And I assume somewhere along the line your mother explained to you the connection between time spent in bed together and the appearance of an heir?”
Her cute little nose rose in the air. “Yes. I am fully aware of the procedure…and the results.”
“Fine. Then how do you propose I gain an heir if you deny me?”
Turning her back on him, she said, “I want to be courted.”
“Courted?”
She nodded.
She wanted to be courted. They’d almost run away together four years ago, and he’d spent those four years trying to forget her because she could never be his. Since his return, he’d had a hard time keeping his hands off her.
They were married.
And now she wanted to be courted?
Alex rose and walked over to her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he leaned down to speak softly in her ear. She studied him through the mirror. “I am so sorry I was unable to pay you court during the last few weeks. I had several obligations.” He ran his palms up and down and felt her lean back into him. “Why don’t I help you out of this gown and we can get into bed and talk about it?”
“No.”
Not one to give up so easily, he brushed her hair aside to rest over her shoulder, covering her breasts, and kissed the soft skin on her neck. The tiny spot not covered by the hideous gown. She gave a soft moan and her body softened. Encouraged, he unfastened the top two buttons on the back of her gown and continued moving his lips down as he uncovered her silky skin. “You are so beautiful, Patience. You have no idea how much I want you.”
Two more buttons.
He turned her in the chair and slid the gown from her shoulders. She didn’t fight him, so he grasped her shoulders and pulled her up. He cupped her face and bent his head to kiss her plump lips. She tasted like champagne and something only Patience. The memories came flooding back of when they still had hopes of their future together. Except the future was now, and he wanted her even more than he had then.
The gown dropped to the floor, leaving her in petticoats and corset. Alex shoved his fingers into her silky locks, plundering her mouth. His hand moved down to cup her full breast, but Patience stiffened and pulled back. “No.”
He lessened his hold on her and she stepped back, covering her chest with her hands. “We will not be doing this.”
Alex moaned and held his hands out. “Patience, it is our wedding night. Do you have any idea how much I have looked forward to this?”
Patience bent to pick up her gray gown and held it against her body. “I would like to retire now. I am quite fatigued from the day.”
Alex couldn’t believe it. She was serious. She had no intention of allowing him into her bed.
My wife.
When faced with a formidable enemy, and seriously outflanked, sometimes retreat was the best maneuver. He executed a formal bow. “As you wish, Your Grace. I will see you in the morning.” With as much dignity as he could muster, he turned on his heel and left the room, wishing his erection into perdition, but having no success.
The uneaten dinner, a bottle of champagne, and an empty bed greeted him. What the devil was he to do with the rest of his night? He could join his friends, who he was sure were in the billiard room, making free with his French brandy, but he was not in the mood to face their questions and raised eyebrows.
With a sigh, he poured a glass of brandy and settled at his desk with a piece of vellum and pen. Tomorrow he would visit the War Department and report what he had seen earlier. It had been Loverly hurrying away from the church, but by the time he and the others had gone in search of him, he was gone.
Alex made some notes and then settled back in the chair. Why had Loverly been at his wedding? If the man had intended to speak with him, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to pick such an occasion to do so. And what did he want with him, anyway? The War Department had notified everyone in the field of his escape. It seemed to him the man should be hiding at the London docks to stow away on one of the ships.
Trying to figure out what the traitor was doing, and why he was near the Abbey, kept him busy not thinking about Patience. The warm, soft woman he’d made his wife today, who by rights should be underneath him right now. Naked and wanting as he thrust into her moistness.
Instead he was spending his wedding night trying to figure out the twisted mind of a traitor.
…
Patience awoke to the sounds of Polly moving around the bedroom. She lay there a minute, thinking about the night before. That Alex had respected her decision to not consummate the marriage until he courted her said a lot about his character. Not that she was surprised, of course. He’d always been honorable. Which was probably why he’d walked away from her when his father had announced the betrothal to his brother.
It had not been easy pushing him away last night, but it was important for her to set some rules. She did, indeed, want to be courted. Didn’t every young woman? Walks in the moonlight, stolen kisses in darkened corners, flowers, dances? She’d had none of that since she had been betrothed so young, and to a man who had eschewed anything romantic. While girls her age had been giggling with gentlemen, making eyes over fans, and dropping handkerchiefs, she had stood by, watching and knowing she would never have love, or even affection in her marriage. In fact, based on what she knew about Cyrus, she wasn’t even sure she would have received respect.
With a sigh, she threw off the covers and allowed Polly to help her wash and dress for the day. Not one to rise late, except when she’d been attending an event the night before, Patience found her way to the breakfast room.
“Where are Lords Campbell and Hawkins, and Mr. Templeton?” She had expected to see them at breakfast.
Alex stood and pulled a chair out for her. “Since they are not here, I am assuming they did quite a bit of celebrating last night.”
Patience blushed at his words. Was that his reminder that they had done no celebrating? She quickly dismissed the idea that she should apologize. She’d done nothing wrong.
Oh no?
She tamped down her annoying conscience.
“I assume my parents and my cousin have departed for London?”
“Yes. I saw them off earlier. Miss Blake indicated she would reside with your parents for a short time until her cousin and her husband, Lord and Lady Montfort, arrive in London. I believe she intends to live with them for the Season. She left her regards and looks forward to seeing you when we return.”
It embarrassed her that the information had to come from her husband. With all the excitement and worry surrounding her wedding, she’d not had a chance to have a proper conversation with Suzanna. She must make time to call on her after they arrived in London.
She nodded and poured her tea as Alex took a sip of coffee and placed his cup in the saucer. “What are your plans for today?”
“I believe your mother was going to introduce me to the housekeeper, who I will spend some time with.” Patience reached for a slice of buttered toast. “Do you know when we will be returning to London? I do not want to work out menus with Cook if we are not going to be here for long.”
“I had thought to stay here for a couple of weeks, but something has arisen that requires me to return to London shortly. Will that be acceptable to you?”
Although she had hoped to have Alex all to herself without the distractions of Town, it would be nice to attend some events as a duchess. “Yes. I think I would enjoy experiencing the rest of the Season. Will your mother be returning with us?”
Alex shrugged. “I have no idea. It is my understanding she prefers Town life, so I assume she will be. You may check with her. Shall we say we will return to London the day after next?”
“Yes. I will have Polly prepare to pack.”
He stood and kissed her on the head. “I would like to take you for a ride this afternoon. Perhaps you can have Cook prepare a basket for us to share a meal. There is a nice pond only a few miles from the house.” He was gone before she could say anything.
But she grinned and her feet did a little jig under the table.
Later, the dowager presented her to Mrs. Donovan, the housekeeper, and then left them alone, much to Patience’s relief. She didn’t think she would be comfortable meeting with the various staff members with the dowager duchess watching over her shoulder. When Patience told her of Alex’s plans to return to London, the dowager indicated she hoped to return to London, too, but not for another week. Then she asked Patience if she would be more comfortable if she retired to the dowager house at the Abbey.
That stunned her, but then when she considered the relationship between Alex and his mother, perhaps it was not so odd that the woman preferred to move. She assured her mother-in-law that she was more than welcome to stay at the Abbey or retire to the dowager house, wherever she felt more comfortable. She never did tell Patience what she had decided, but left her in the capable hands of Mrs. Donovan.
The hours passed as they took a tour of the Abbey. She introduced her to Cook, the moniker for all women who held that position. When Patience requested the picnic basket, the woman smiled brightly and said she would pack all His Grace’s favorite foods. She also shared a story with her about all the trouble Alex had caused as a young boy.
It seemed her husband had a penchant for Cook’s apple tarts. She laughed as she related how whenever she made them she had to hide a few because Alex would eat them all before she could serve them at dinner.
Patience retired to her bedchamber to change clothes and put on something more appropriate for a picnic near a pond. Was this Alex’s way of courting her? It certainly seemed so it. Could she have won that battle so easily?
Then she pulled herself up short. No. She would make sure he hadn’t won so easily. A picnic, a stroll in the village, a bouquet of flowers, these were lovely things, but certainly not enough for her to capitulate and allow him his husbandly rights. If he thought this one little thing was going to open up her arms—and bedchamber door—he was in for a disappointment.
…
Alex was glad he’d decided to take Patience on a picnic. Once he’d overcome his annoyance and frustration at being left alone on his wedding night, he realized Patience had a point. He knew Cyrus well enough to believe he never would have given Patience a proper courting. The man had been obsessed with opera dancers and the women of the demimonde. They did not require the special attention a bride-to-be would expect.
With everything that had happened since his return to England, he’d not had time to even consider what Patience’s life must have been like since he’d last seen her. She’d been denied all the things young girls look forward to when they leave childhood behind. By the time she’d left the schoolroom, her life had been already planned for her. With his bastard of a brother.
He looked up when the study door opened. With a grin on his face, he leaned back and studied Patience. “Beautiful” was a word that would certainly fit, but more than that was her smile and the not-quite-hidden excitement in her eyes. He pushed aside the guilt he felt at how he’d run roughshod over her, pushing her into marriage and discounting her feelings. Today, and going forward, he would make up for it.
“Ah, it appears my duchess is ready for our picnic.”
She wore a yellow-and-white striped muslin gown, with tiny flowers embroidered around the neckline and edges of the cap sleeves. Similar flowers embellished her straw bonnet’s brim, and two wide yellow ribbons formed a large bow under her chin. She moved forward, giving him a curtsy. “Yes, Your Grace. I am ready for our picnic. We only have to pick up our basket from Cook.”
He shoved his chair back and stood. “Then let us be off.” He walked around the desk and extended his arm. When they reached the front door, he instructed a footman to fetch the basket from the kitchen.
It was a perfect day for a picnic. They had suffered through three days of gloomy weather, on-and-off showers and drizzle, but today’s bright sunlight and cloudless sky made up for it. He helped Patience into the well-used gig which seemed spot-on for their outing. The footman handed the basket to Patience who settled it on her lap. Checking to make sure the woolen blanket was in the back of the gig, and with a quick kiss to his wife’s lips, Alex picked up the reins, and they were off.
“You look lovely this afternoon, sweeting.” He steered the vehicle down the long pathway and then made a right turn toward the expanse of open acreage.
“Thank you. I think the sun has done wonders for my temperament.” She fingered her skirt. “I believe that is why I chose this gown.”
“Whatever reason, it suits you well.”
Despite the lovely day and balmy weather, Alex remained tense, glancing from side to side, and reaching under his seat to make sure his pistol was handy. It might not have been the best of ideas to bring Patience on a picnic, since Loverly could be lurking on the grounds. But it had been all he could think of to begin her “courting.”
He’d yet to figure out why the man showed up at his wedding.
They rode in companionable silence until Alex took a narrow pathway through an array of trees. Dappled sunlight cast them into light and shadows. “I love the smell of the forest after rain.”
Patience nodded. “Yes, I do as well. It is almost worth putting up with the gloom.”
The gig burst out of the trees and his favorite pond came into view. “In my youth, I swam in this pond in the summer and skated on it in winter. I always think of it as my own special place.”
Patience turned to him. “I don’t remember you showing this to me when we were here years ago.”
“No, I probably didn’t.” He studied her, remembering the blissful time. “I don’t think there was time to show you everything I wanted to. It was only five days.”
Five days.
He’d spent four long years trying to block a mere five days from his memory. He shook his head at the thought. He pulled on the reins and wrapped the leather straps around the dash. Lifting Patience from her seat once again reminded him of her lush curves and lavender and mint scent that always surrounded her. He wanted to crush her to his body and plunder her mouth. Instead, as a proper courting husband, he smiled and set her feet on the ground.
They spread out the blanket on a patch of dry grass. Once they sat, Patience drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs. He remembered that from the past. It seemed to be her most comfortable position. “As much as I am looking forward to enjoying some of the events of the Season, I do love the fresh smell of country air.”
Alex stretched out on his side, picked up a blade of grass, and stuck it between his teeth. “I find I can be comfortable just about anywhere. A gift, I am sure. If you prefer the country, we can certainly spend most of the year here. Or at one of my other estates. Which, by the way, I need to visit shortly.”
Patience rested her chin on her knees. “That would be fun. Almost like a wedding trip.”
Another pang of guilt. She’d had a botched proposal, a hurried-up wedding, and no honeymoon. He reached out, took her hand, and kissed it. “We will have a proper wedding trip once I clear a few things up. I promise. Have you been to the Continent?”
She shook her head. “No. I haven’t been anywhere except here, my family’s estate in Suffolk, and London.”
More guilt. He had a lot to make up for. Not that it had all been his fault, but it was no wonder she’d been so upset with him when she was not given a choice and rushed into marriage.
Alex sat up and took both of her hands. “I promise you I will be the best husband, ever. I will make your happiness my priority. I will not wander to other beds, drink to excess, or gamble away our future.” He tucked a loose hair behind her ear. “Or our children’s futures.”
She ducked her head and the blush that rose from the top of her gown to her hairline was endearing. True, he could not wait to get her into his bed, but he felt their courting was a good idea. She deserved as much.
He turned her hands and kissed the inside of her wrists. ’Twas better than dragging her down to the blanket and ravishing her. “Now I think we better eat the wonderful smelling food Cook has prepared. Although the pond will probably be cold, perhaps later, we could remove our shoes and stockings and wade at the edge of the water.” He moved the cloth aside and took out the food.
They chatted amiably about books, his friends, and the bill he intended to introduce in Parliament to help veterans returning from the war. From what he’d seen, they’d been grossly neglected by the Crown and Parliament. If anyone knew about the scars of war that burdened a soldier, he did.
As they talked, they seemed to be getting on almost as well as they had before. The sun warming his back, the smell of the damp earth, and Patience alongside him eased his mind, as he slowly relaxed, feeling more carefree than he had for years.
He might have done even better with tamping down his lust if it weren’t for Patience constantly licking her fingers, or sliding her cute little pink tongue over her lips as they ate. If he didn’t know better, he would swear she was doing it all on purpose.
Once all the leftover cold meat, cheese, bread, and apple tarts were placed back into the basket, Alex stood and held his hand out. “I fear if we sit here after that wonderful meal, I will be asleep in no time. Let’s go for a walk.”
Instead of placing her hand on his arm, he kept their fingers linked as they strolled the area, eventually ending at the edge of the pond. “Care to venture into the water?” He regarded her with a smile, hoping to tempt her into removing at least some of her clothing, even if it was only her half boots and stockings.
“It looks rather chilly.” She turned to him. “Don’t you think?”
He stared at her, mesmerized by her slight smile, the creamy glow of her sun-kissed skin, and the way her beautiful green eyes danced with humor, until he mentally shook himself. “It might be a bit, but it would refresh us, as well, since the day is unseasonably warm.”
With her nearness, and him unable to touch her the way he truly wanted to, he felt heated enough to rip off every stitch of clothing he wore and dive into the water. Better yet, if they both removed their clothing and…
Best to let that thought go. He was determined to abide by Patience’s wishes and court her before bedding her. It was her due after all the bullying to which she’d been subjected.
“Come, it will be fun.” He leaned down and pulled off his boot and stocking from one foot, then the other. “Sit down and I will help you with your boots.”
“I can remove my own boots and stockings. I am not a totally useless female.” She sniffed.
Yes, she was purposely teasing him. She rested her lovely bottom on a rock, and once her half boots were off, she slowly slid the hem of her gown up, inch by glorious inch, until she reached the pink ribbon tied around the top of her knee, holding up her stocking.
His breathing increased, and he licked his suddenly dry lips. With her knees primly locked together, he tried very hard not to imagine the beauty and glory of her sex that his eyes would be treated to if he wrenched those knees apart. Instead, he asked, “If you need any help untying those ribbons, I am at your service.”
Bloody hell. Besides his voice sounding like a frog croaking, he hadn’t said anything that stupid since his youthful days. However, if she didn’t speed up the process, he would have her flat on her back and underneath him in a flash.
“I seem to have a knot in this one.” She looked up at him, wide-eyed. “Can you help?”
He groaned, knowing now she was playing with him. Or was she? Perhaps she felt the lust crackling between them as well, and in her innocence, did not know how to let him understand she was ready to give herself to him. Instead of reaching for the ribbon, he placed his hand on her ankle, and moved it up over the silk of her stocking, watching her eyes the entire time.
Her breathing increased and she licked her plump lips. He fumbled with the blasted knot, when all he wanted to do was spread her wide and thrust into her. Taking a deep breath, he patiently untied the knot and slid the stocking off her leg.
Without saying anything, he moved his hand to the other ribbon and untied it, easing that stocking down her smooth skin. The sound of their panting seemed to echo off the trees. He reached for her shoulders and pulled her toward him. She closed her eyes and gave a slight moan as his lips covered hers.
His large hand cupped her face as he began a gentle kiss, then when she slumped toward him, he tilted her head to go deeper and ravished her mouth. He leaned back onto the grass, pulling her with him until she rested on top of his body. Enjoying the feel of the soft grass and rough ground on his back, with her soft womanly curves on top of his chest, his hand moved up the back of her leg, gathering her gown as it slipped upward.
Her skin was smooth, warm—and thank God—she wore no drawers. He reached her plump bottom and massaged.
A mistake.
He immediately felt the change in her. She stiffened, then released his lips and pulled back, wrenching herself from his arms. “No. Not yet.” With both hands on either side of his head she pushed off him, tumbling to the ground next to him.
Patience closed her eyes and fisted her hands at her side. He watched her, still befuddled on how they’d gotten so far, and then—nothing.
“I thought we were going into the pond.” She glanced at him sideways.
“Yes.” A one word answer was all he could do at this point. He stood and brushed his clothing then reached for her. “I could use some cooling off.”
Hand in hand they walked into the chilly water. Patience bunched her gown in her hands and shivered. Cold? Maybe. However, no water would be cold enough to chill the lust raging through him.