Page 29 of Secrets of the Marriage Bed
She certainly was nothing of the sort. ‘She sounds more like a governess than a dresser.’
‘A very attentive governess.’
‘It is your decision, of course.’
‘Yes. It is.’ She shot him a conspiratorial smile. ‘This morning I tipped it out of the window into the flower beds while she was off fetching my bonnet.’
Confidences were a wonderful start to the day. ‘Hardly a satisfactory solution.’
Her smile faltered and he felt as if he’d kicked a puppy. ‘You are sure you feel well enough to ride this morning?’
‘I do.’ A puzzled frown creased her forehead. ‘I cannot think what came over me on the journey.’
Intending comfort, he took her hand in his, small and fine boned and so very breakable. ‘Travel sickness. It can affect the best of us at times.’
To his pleasure, she did not pull away. He brought her hand to his lips before reluctantly releasing her fingers. She was his wife, not his lover. ‘We will not overdo things today. I have only one call I must make.’
She gazed at him, her amber eyes strangely soft. ‘Did you remember to send a note round to Beauworth? We should not be remiss in answering his invitation.’
‘As promised. I will let you know his response.’ He glanced at her barely touched plate with a sense of unease. Was she not well and simply afraid to tell him? ‘Jaimie said he thought it might rain later.’
She pushed the eggs on her plate around with her fork. ‘Do Jaimie’s predictions usually prove true?’
‘About half the time.’
A small smile played about her lips. ‘Good to know.’
Something painful tugged at his chest. Why, because he’d made her smile? Such nonsense. He picked up his cup and sipped at his tea. ‘Eat.’
For a moment he thought she might take issue with his request, or rather his order. Apparently his wife was another one who did not respond well to orders and nor did he usually find himself dishing them out to the females of the species. He preferred to get his way by more subtle means, but seeing her pick at her food when she had eaten so very little these past two days was concerning in the extreme. He offered her a mollifying smile as she glanced at him from beneath lowered brows.
To his relief, she resumed eating and, while he pretended to read his newspaper, she finished everything on her plate.
He rose to help her with her chair, enjoying the scent of jasmine as she stood. ‘Are you ready?’
‘But for my hat and riding gloves.’
He walked her out to the hall. ‘I will meet you outside.’
He paused in the hall to watch her mount the stairs, the sway of her hips in the full riding gown a delight to behold. He caught Grindle eyeing him with an indulgent expression and frowned. ‘Something wrong, Grindle?’
The man flushed. ‘No, Your Grace.’
Puzzled by his embarrassment, Alistair strode out the front door where Jaimie was waiting with Bella and Thor.
As he’d requested on the spur of the moment, a blanket had been tied on behind Thor’s cantle. Another impulse brought on by his wife’s company. He pressed his lips together to stop himself from requesting its removal. He was, after all, on his honeymoon in a sense.
Jaimie touched his cap and looked expectantly towards the front door.
Alistair narrowed his eyes. Apparently his duchess was fast becoming a favourite with the staff. As she had in London. He quelled a sudden welling of pride. Such emotions would be his undoing.
‘How is Bella this morning?’ he asked Jaimie.
‘In fine fettle. Well rested after her journey, but not in the fidgets.’
‘Good. Her Grace is an excellent horsewoman, but the terrain is unfamiliar.’
‘Bella will stay close to Thor.’
True.
When Julia joined them, she smiled at the stable master. ‘Good morning, Jaimie.’
The man gave her a shameless grin. ‘Your Grace.’
Alistair boosted her up on to Bella, handed her the reins and swung up on to Thor.
‘Where are we going?’ Julia asked as they trotted down the drive.
‘First to the home farm as we’ve some new arrivals, and then I thought I would show you one of the local villages and some of the park.’
