Page 113 of Scandalous Heiress
“I need to be the judge of that, Victor.Tell me what you wish, for God’s sakes.”She clutched her stomach and she appeared a little bug-eyed.
He startled.“Are you well?”
“This conflict makes me…uneasy.”
“I hope to end that.”
She sank backward in her chair and studied him.
“I do have very good news.Pierce and I have met often these past few weeks and we’ve come to a business agreement.”
She merely tipped her head in query.
He cleared his throat.“He and I had corresponded while I was in Shanghai about investment opportunities for him in the Settlement.I’m a member of the Municipal Council and we hold the ability to award contracts for gas, water and now electricity suppliers.”
“Pierce,” she said with a glance toward the window, “owns shares in that French syndicate which manufactures steel tubes.”
He smiled at her, all his hopes to have her back a living creature inside him.“He and I went to Paris to meet with them.They begin a process to manufacture rods for electrical works.We have formed aSociété Anonymeto raise money to perfect the process to make electrical cords large enough for entire cities to have services.”
“And the money you used to invest in this was from Cole and Company?”Pleasure dawned on her lovely face.
“My yearly profits this year and next go to it, yes.But what I bring more importantly are my friendships with those on the Municipal Council and my knowledge of Chinese literati and their politics.”
She shot to her feet, her movement so quick she swayed.
He caught her.
“You’re leaving me?”she breathed, her face upturned to him, agony in every line.
“No.”
“Returning to China?”
“No.”He circled his arms around her and held her tenderly.His hands in her silken hair, he pressed her head to his heart.“I’m staying here, my love.That is my role.I’m here.Pierce goes to Shanghai.Only Pierce with letters of introduction from me.I’m going to stay here because it seems with those friends you’ve made for me, I am to be appointed to the vacant seat for Brighton.”
She broke apart in his embrace then, all sobs and a fountain of tears.But he picked her up and took her to thechaise longuewhere he fished out his handkerchief, wiped her tears and held her for long minutes to reacquaint himself with the joys of having his wife in his possession.
As the hall clock struck nine that night, he mounted the steps behind his wife.They’d had a most successful and enjoyable teatime.He’d conversed with a few residents of Brighton whom he’d met years ago when he’d come here with this family to the seaside for summer retreats.He’d also met new acquaintances whom Ada had cultivated.But the party had gone on far too long and afterward, dinner with his children had extended far into the evening.His wife looked piqued.So much so, that he worried about her health.
“I must tell you, I like what you’ve accomplished with the house.The salon is a riot of color.The Chippendale complements the Chinese decor.”He took her arm to help her climb the stairs.
“I’m pleased that you are.”
At the door to her suite, he brought them to a halt.He would not assume he was invited to share her bed.He’d hurt her by his extended absence, though he vowed to spend his life making it up to her.
She cupped his cheek.“Would you like to join me?”
“If you’ll have me, I’d welcome the fine company.”
“And I, yours.But you must know first that I may not be such fine company.”
“If you mean to say I must not presume too much, then I can join you in bed and only hold you.”
“You may have to.”
He tried not to let the disappointment show.
She traced a fingertip over the fullness of his lower lip.“Often in the mornings, I am not well, Victor.”
