Page 31 of The Baron's Return
Miss Phillips heard them coming and came out of her own room, which was next to Gemma’s.
“Good night, Papa,” she said, giving him a quick hug before going into her bedchamber.
He murmured a quiet “good night” to her and nodded to the governess.
When the door closed behind them, he remained standing in the hallway. He could hear their voices through the wood door, but that wasn’t the reason he stayed.
He didn’t know what to do now. He knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to go downstairs, get Abigail, and bring her back to his bedchamber so they could indulge in another bout of vigorous lovemaking.
His blood heated at the memories of how glorious and giving she’d been last night. And with those memories, his cock hardened.
He swore under his breath and headed for his study. He needed distance. When he had this overwhelming need to sate himself within this woman under control, he would go to her again. They could try to conceive another child, give Gemma a brother or a sister. She would like that.
And if he was being honest with himself, so would he.
Chapter 18
Despite the way Cranston had left her on their wedding night, Abigail held on to the belief that their marriage would be different than her first. That Cranston would come to see her as more than someone with whom to satisfy his physical needs.
But in the three weeks since their wedding night, he’d only come to her bed three more times. Despite the fact that they broke their fast and had dinner together as a family each day, the gulf between them was still there.
She was beginning to fear it would always be this way. She wanted so much more, but if this was all she could have with Cranston, she would take it and cherish each brief moment together.
For those moments were brief. After making love—and heavens, the man was thorough when it came to lovemaking—he would get up and leave.
And each time that happened, she had to force herself not to beg him to stay.
This was how marriage was conducted within the ton. She knew that Amelia and her husband shared a bed, and she imagined that Mary and her new husband Lord Ashford would as well. But it was clear that such an arrangement wasn’t in her future.
At least Cranston wouldn’t be banishing her to a far-off estate.
After breakfast that morning, Gemma went upstairs to begin her lessons for the day. When Cranston took his leave shortly thereafter, as he did every morning, she watched him go with a sigh.
She’d just finished meeting with the housekeeper, a lovely older woman who’d been thrilled that the baron had finally settled down, when a footman presented her with a note.
She smiled when she recognized Amelia’s handwriting.
I wanted to let you know that I’ll be calling later this morning.
* * *
And I have a surprise for you.
* * *
(Gird your loins.)
* * *
—Amelia
She shook her head at the dramatics, wondering what the marchioness had planned. Perhaps another shopping trip. She hadn’t had a chance yet to wear all the nightdresses they’d purchased the last time.
Well, that wasn’t strictly true. She’d worn them, yes, but Cranston had only seen her in two of them. She had five of the scandalous garments, each one more shocking than the last. She donned one each night, hoping that her husband would visit her bedchamber. They’d made love four times—yes, she was counting—but he’d only seen two of the nightdresses. His eyes had lit with delight when he’d seen the second one, made of deep blue satin. If he’d bothered to visit her more often, he would have been shocked at some of the ones he hadn’t yet seen.
It struck her then that perhaps Amelia would be announcing that she and Lowenbrock were finally going to leave town.
She felt a pang of sorrow, but it was to be expected. Amelia had told her that she was no longer feeling unwell every morning. No doubt she was anxious to return to the house where she’d been raised.
