Page 57 of Taming of the Rake
“And one of us publicly exhibited a half-nude painting of a woman before the entirebeau monde,” Nick added. “After which, he issued a public marriage proposal at a ball where the most influential people in society were in attendance.”
“Mine was definitely the better gesture,” Hugh muttered.
“I think not,” Nick fired back. “But we’re talking about David right now.”
David shook his head to clear it, fatigue and brandy making it difficult to follow their back-and-forth. But then, clarity dawned, and the niggling of an idea crept onto the periphery of his thoughts. It might just work … or it might backfire spectacularly. But David was desperate. He couldn’t stand to wallow in such misery; not without doing everything he could to win Regina’s heart.
“I think I have an idea.”
Chapter 13
Regina wiped her damp palms on the skirt of her gown as she followed the housekeeper to the salon where the Graham family received visitors. A fortnight had passed since she’d last seen David, though not for lack of trying on her part. After her conversation with Powell, she had spent a great deal of time alone with her own turbulent thoughts. Her fear hadn’t abated entirely—really, it had hardly lessened at all. But it had occurred to Regina that fear nearly kept her from experiencing passion and pleasure in the bedchamber. Had she not pushed her trepidation aside to allow David to show her how things should be, she might still be a half-dead shell of her former self.
And, it wasn’t only sensuality he had introduced her to. There had been laughter and joy and lighthearted fun, which she had forgotten over the eight years of her first marriage. She had come into their arrangement feeling old, shriveled, and lifeless. Now, she stood on the other side a new woman—perhaps not completely changed, but still in a better state than when they had begun.
The expanse of the rest of her life stretched before her, alive with possibilities she might never have considered if not for David.
That epiphany had led her to his doorstep, only for the butler to inform her David had left for London and no one knew exactly when he should be expected to return. That had been disappointing, but Regina was no less determined to see him. She returned three times more, only to be turned away. David had returned to Lancashire days ago, but he was never at home when she called.
Until now.
Mrs. Moffat offered her refreshment, but Regina declined. She was too nervous to eat, and wanted nothing to impede the housekeeper from finding David and informing him of her arrival. The woman gave her a puzzled look on her way out, as if wondering what she might be doing here. Surely she didn’t know the truth of what went on between her and David, but the household couldn’t have failed to notice that David’s swift departure had coincided with her overnight stay in this house.
Once left alone, she sprang up from her chair. Even sitting still became too much of a trial, and she paced while ruminating over what she would say to David. During their time apart she’d had far too much time to rehearse various speeches, but nothing that truly encompassed how she felt. It had been Regina’s hope that she would know what to say once she laid eyes on him.
Apparently, she hadn’t been as prepared to see him as she supposed, because Regina’s throat constricted the moment the door swung open. Her heart fluttered wildly at the sight of David, disheveled but still heartbreakingly handsome as he filled the doorway. One hand braced on the knob, he stared at her as if unable to believe his eyes.
He wore trousers and braces over a shirt, all of which looked old and worn. His hair held a layer of dust, and a sheen of sweat stood out along his brow. It would seem she had interrupted him about some task. Just what had he been up to?
“Hello, David,” she said, then cleared her throat and injected confidence she did not feel into her voice. “I hope I haven’t come at an inconvenient time.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, he glanced over his shoulder, then stepped into the room and shut the door. “Not exactly, but … well, I had intended to ask you to call on me, only … I wasn’t ready just yet.”
“Oh. If you need more time—”
“No!” he said suddenly, lurching toward her but then coming to a halt halfway across the room as if thinking better of it. “That is, I am glad to see you, Regina. You look … well.”
His gaze traveled over her, and she stiffened, realizing he must be searching for any sign of her condition. Regina’s face flushed as his gaze fell to her bodice, which stretched a bit tight over her bosom. There was definitely more flesh filling her gowns these days, and the tenderness of her breasts made her stays an uncomfortable nuisance.
“Are you?” he added, gazing down at her belly as if to indicate the baby. “Everything is all right?”
“Oh, yes. I have been seen by a physician who assures me all seems to be going as expected.”
His jaw flexed as he looked away from her, and she wondered if she might not be too late. Was he still angry with her? Had he decided that perhaps he didn’t want her anymore?
But then, he shocked her by offering a small smile and gesturing toward the door. “Will you come with me? I want to show you something.”
Bewilderment had her glancing about, as if some clue to this mystery might present itself. She wanted to insist they continue their conversation, but the earnest longing in his eyes made her willing to follow him anywhere.
“Of course.”
He led her from the room and to the staircase, offering his arm while bracing the other hand on the banister. Regina wanted to lean into him, burying her face in his shirt and inhale the scent of him—the light hint of clean sweat melding with his signature sandalwood. But she didn’t feel as if she had the right to such intimacies. Not until she was certain he would accept her. Then, nothing would stop her from holding him, kissing him, and lavishing him with affection.
Interestingly, he led her down a corridor opposite the one her guest room had been in, leaving her wondering if this might not be where the family’s rooms were located.
“David?”
He turned to her in front of one of the doors, hands folded behind his back. “The last time we spoke, I did not make myself as clear as I should have. The quarrel that followed was entirely my fault.”
