The Study of Seduction (Sinful Suitors, #2)(60)

She rather wished he didn’t. Because whenever he looked good enough to tempt her, it always seemed to end in disaster.

Well, not always. The part in the carriage where he’d pleasured her had been incredible. It was her own stupid fault that things had deteriorated from there. And she hated that. She hated being weak and afraid.

The footman placed a bowl of soup in front of her. “This looks delicious,” she said, fearing that she sounded utterly inane.

“If there are any particular foods you would prefer, just tell Cook.” Edwin sipped some soup from his spoon. “I believe you’re already familiar with her abilities.”

“I should say so.” She picked up her spoon. “Your mother chose her well.”

“Mother was always very good at hiring servants.” He glanced at her. “And I’m sure you’ll be equally adept at it.”

His oddly soothing tone made her halt her spoon in midair. “I shall certainly try to be.”

“That’s all I ask. And with that in mind, I was thinking that tomorrow we might tour our dairy and then the orchards.”

“I’ve been in your dairy and your orchards more times than I can count.” Why was he behaving as if she hadn’t visited Stoke Towers nearly every day in her youth? “I’m not sure what more I could learn from a tour.”

A small frown knit his brow. “Very well, then we can call on the tenants so I may introduce you to them as my wife.”

“That’s an excellent idea. We should start with the Gronows. No, wait, perhaps the Leslies up near the river—Mrs. Leslie has probably had her baby by now, and I would so love to see it.”

He sat back to stare at her. “How is it that you know almost as much about my tenants as Yvette?”

She shrugged. “I spent nearly every day of my childhood with her here.”

“I knew you and Yvette were close, but I had no idea you were at Stoke Towers so much.”

“How could you know? You were away at school; then I was away at school. And when I was home, you were too busy to pay much mind to a couple of girls romping about and going shopping in Preston.”

“Ah, yes. I forgot about all the shopping.”

“I can’t imagine how. You were forever lecturing Yvette about the bills.”

He stiffened. “You two thought me insufferable, I suppose.”

“What? No. We knew you were preoccupied by your father’s neglect of the estate, and by Samuel and his troubles. You had no time to spare for two chattering girls preparing for their debuts. Besides, you were always very serious and studious and we were always . . . well . . . not.”

He eyed her askance. “Yvette was studious. You were ‘not.’”

She couldn’t help laughing. “Now, that is the blunt and honest Edwin I know and like so well.”

To her surprise, he flushed. “Blast it, I was trying not to be so blunt.”

“Why? We’ve always been honest with each other, haven’t we? That shouldn’t change simply because we’re married. How does Shakespeare put it? ‘Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.’”

“God, I hope that’s not true.”

The words fell between them like a gauntlet. Too late, she remembered the requirements he’d listed for a wife when she’d been helping him decide on one.

“Right,” she said past the tightness in her throat. “You wanted a quiet, responsible, and calming wife. Instead, you got me.”

He grimaced. “That isn’t what I meant. I was only saying . . . trying to say, that I hope you and I . . .” Rubbing the back of his neck, he muttered, “God rot it. Pay me no mind. I’m a bit out of sorts.”

She took pity on him. This was as hard for him as for her—perhaps even harder. He was doing a very noble thing and, in the process, giving up his own plans for the future.

“So,” she said, determined to change the subject, “a visit to the tenants tomorrow. That sounds fun. What shall I wear?”

He met her gaze, seemingly startled by her amiable tone, then smoothed his expression. “Well, it’s probably best if we go on horseback, so a riding habit would be appropriate. And if you happen to have . . .”

To her vast relief, there was no more talk of anything serious after that.

But later, once her giggling maid had left her dressed for bed and she sat propped up against the pillow attempting to read the latest La Belle Assemblée, she wondered if he would try to seduce her tonight. If he did, would she let him?

Part of her wanted to. The other part hated that she couldn’t predict how she would react, once he came over on top of her and tried to enter her. She didn’t think she could bear to witness again the shock on his face if she got panicky and said or did something untoward.

So when the door adjoining his room opened and she instinctively clutched her magazine to her breasts, she could have kicked herself to see frustration flash in his eyes.

Though it was swiftly gone, it left her chilled.

“I wanted to make sure you were comfortable before I retired,” he said with infinite politeness, as if they were mere friends who happened to share a bedroom suite, rather than a newly wedded couple who ought to be consummating their marriage.

“Quite comfortable.” She deliberately let the periodical drop onto her lap, not wanting him to think she was frightened of him. She wasn’t . . . not entirely. “I shan’t be up much longer. I’m quite tired.”