Mastering The Marquess (Bound and Determined #1)(60)

“It’s not exactly a secret why you married her. Everyone thinks you were most sensible—and the lady, too. I’ve not heard a single negative thing except from those gentlemen who wished to win her purse for themselves.”

“I am not saying it’s not true, just that it’s not seemly to talk about.” Only it didn’t feel as true as it had, and he hated the thought of anyone’s thinking that he’d married Louisa for her purse. She had so much more to offer than that. There were a dozen other women he could have married if that had been all he cared about.

“Didn’t mean to cause offense—and that’s not what I wished to discuss anyhow.” Duldon slowed his horse, forcing Swanston to do the same or appear rude.

“Yes?”

“I wanted to discuss your sister. Bliss. Do you know who she’s been spending her time with?”

“I have had other things on my mind. If you’re worried why don’t you speak to my father?”

“You know better than that.”

Yes, he did. Swanston didn’t even know why he had said the words. His father could not be counted on for anything unless it was buying a pig for a thousand pounds in the foolish belief that it would be the start of a whole new enterprise. “What has Bliss been up to?”

“She’s been seen on several occasions with the Countess Ormande. She has frequently left balls with the Countess, and my understanding is that they have not always gone directly home.”

Swanston rubbed his brow. He truly did not need this right now. “And what do you know of the Countess?” he asked, not mistaking the odd inflection that Duldon had placed on her name.

“I believe I know the same things about her that you do—and that she seems to have no fondness for you. Although I understand you once spent quite a bit of time together.”

Dropping his hand, Swanston stared at his friend. What did Duldon know? “I am not quite sure what you mean.”

“Is this whole morning going to be spent on a back-and-forth of questions? You know exactly what I mean. You may keep your life discreet, as I have kept mine, but we do have several mutual acquaintances. You may not be fond of the term ‘Master,’ but I do have a taste for it.”

Swanston could only hope he did not gape. “I was not aware that we had these things in common.”

“One rarely is, unless one cares to be watched. Then it is a whole different matter.”

“Yes, I suppose it is. That has never been one of my fancies.”

“Nor mine.”

There was silence then. What were two men to say when they had both admitted to a socially unacceptable desire for domination?

Loosening his reins so that his horse could nibble at the grass beside the riding path, Swanston finally turned his head to stare at his friend. “Has anything definite happened between the Countess and Bliss? Do I need to take action?”

“I don’t think anything has happened yet, but it would not be a bad idea to remove your sister from the Countess’s influence.”

“I’d like to take a whip to the bloody woman.”

Duldon chuckled coldly. “That is probably just what she wants.”



Being Lady Swanston was not very different from being Lady Brookingston—at least during the day. There was still a house to run, servants to be managed, social obligations to be kept, gowns to be purchased, and accounts to be balanced. The scale was greater than she had previously known, but the tasks were quite similar. It was not an exciting life, but it was a busy and satisfying one.

No, her days were not different.

But her nights … now they were something else.

There was something quite satisfying about curling up beside one’s husband each evening. They still did not talk or touch much—other than when they were engaged in marital activities—but it was just so … so comfortable. Yes, that was the word. It was easy and comfortable.

And the marital activities were quite comfortable, too. She’d never have thought that that was a word she’d use to describe sexual relations, but it was the right one. It was quite lovely to go to bed each night knowing that her husband would move over her and then delicious things would happen.

It was certainly not what she’d expected as a girl when she’d been told that if she just did what her husband wished it would soon be over.

And whatever it had been with Charles—she allowed herself to think his name for the first time in the weeks since her marriage—that had been anything but comfortable.

“And what has you grinning like a cat with a bowl of cream?”

Louisa looked up, startled. She’d actually forgotten that Lady Perse was there—and one did not forget Lady Perse.

Picking up her tea, Louisa took a hurried sip. “I was thinking about my husband.” And that was true. The smile had been for Swanston, not Charles.

“So you are pleased with your choice then, despite my reservations?” Lady Perse herself did not look entirely pleased.

Louisa stared down into her teacup. “Yes, I rather believe I am happy.”

“He is not too staid and dull, too dour? He is such a serious man. Whatever do you find to talk about?” Lady Perse set down her cup of tea and stared at Louisa as if trying to understand some deep secret.

“I must admit that at first it was somewhat difficult. As you have said, Swanston is not known for being verbose, but the more time I spend with him the more we find to discuss. He has a great interest in music. I was quite surprised when he first began to comment on the libretto after we had been to the opera. I believe that he is afraid to be thought whimsical for having such an interest, but he is well informed.”