Page 101 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
‘Does it never bother you?’ Katherine asked from the bed, lowering her arm and opening her eyes.
He went to smile but stopped when it pulled the scab on his lip. ‘Does what bother me?’
‘All the supplication; they bow and scrape at every turn. It is driving me mad already and I have only endured it for a day.’
He laughed quietly as he walked closer. ‘Why do you think I stayed abroad for so long? I could lead a normal life there. But the answer is you get used to it and then in large you ignore it. Now sit up and eat a little.’ He gathered some cushions from a chair and set them behind her back so she could recline, then passed her the uninviting toast and moved the ginger tea within her reach.
He walked about the bed and occupied the far side, slipping off his shoes and then lying down on his back beside her.
One hand rested beneath his head and he raised one knee. He remembered lying in numerous fields talking with Phillip in this position as a boy. He looked up at her and watched her nibble a small piece from her toast.
‘It will go away soon if you are lucky.’
‘What?’
‘The sickness, it usually improves after three months, or it always does for my mother and my aunts, although I believe sometimes it can go on. I have sent for a doctor.’
‘Why? It is normal. You just said so too.’
‘Because,’ he said, rolling to his side, ‘I wish to know you and the child are healthy. It will stop me fretting if I hear a doctor say so. Mama said you were also ill last night.’
‘I did not like to go down on my own.’
‘So you were not ill?’
‘Can you call being too nervous ill? If so, I was ill.’
‘It was just my family, Katherine. You know them, and Mary would have been there.’But you were not– he saw the accusation in her eyes.
He sat upright and slid back up the bed to sit against the pillows beside her. ‘I was remiss to leave you alone, I know, but my business meeting dragged on for much longer than I expected, I am sorry.’
She said nothing.
‘It was midnight when I came home. I presumed you would be asleep, and I thought it best not to disturb you, but Mama indicated that was a poor choice. You did not sleep, did you? You were waiting for me.’
She put the plate down and then reached for the tea and sipped it.
John folded his arms over his chest and looked up at the bed’s canopy. ‘My mother has arranged for a modiste to call in a while. She will sort out a new wardrobe for you. I know you did not bring your clothes but even if you had they would not befit a duchess, and I will be damned glad to see the last of your blue spencer.’
‘Are you still trying to buy me, John?’ she said, sitting back against the pillows again.
‘It worked with the bonnet,’ he said humorously. ‘And the dress.’
‘But now we are married and you have no need for further coercion.’
‘Yes, but I still want you willing,’ he teased. Then he sobered his expression. ‘I honestly thought I was being considerate last night. I am sorry. In future, sleep in my bed, then there need be no decisions about whether I come to you or not.’
‘And I am to simply forget we did not share a bed on our wedding night?’
Ah, he had really upset her then. ‘And here was I thinking you’d refused my offer yesterday when you had a choice. It implied you did not want me in your bed, Katherine.’
‘I did not say no to marrying you. I said no to marrying this…’ One hand lifted, indicating the room. ‘And because I did not want a man who did not really want me.’
He shifted at that, turning to lift her plate from her hands and lean across her to place it onto the chest before cupping her cheek.
‘I do want you. I love you. Will you believe me now?’
‘No.’ Her eyes burned blue fire.
