Falling for the Marquess - Julianne MacLean Page 0,83
sailed out of his lungs, and he felt slightly out of his element. It wasn’t often he’d had to deal with this problem. Most women he knew simply avoided “social” situations when they weren’t fully able to consummate them.
“I see.” Then it occurred to him that this meant Clara was not with child. “Are you disappointed?”
“Disappointed that we can’t make love tonight?” she asked, in a sweet, innocent voice that melted his heart.
“First of all,” he said, sitting up, “we can make love if you wish to, but that’s not what I mean. Are you disappointed that we didn’t conceive a child?”
Her face softened. “A little, I suppose. I do want to give you a son.”
He rose from the bed, approached her and took her into his arms. “Don’t be disappointed, darling. It often takes some time, I’ve heard. Look on the bright side, we will have to try doubly hard in the weeks to come. I don’t think I’ll mind that very much. Will you?”
Clara smiled. “No, I won’t. But what will it mean for tonight?” She touched his lips with her thumb. “Will you go back to your room?”
“Do you want me to?”
“No.” Her voice became breathy like a whisper. “There is still your pleasure to consider.”
He smiled and felt his arousal grow. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
His delightful wife didn’t answer the question. She simply went down on her knees and untied the belt of his robe. Her eyes were dark and mischievous as she looked up at him.
He cupped her head in his large hand. “I didn’t want to presume....”
“Presume anything you like. There’s no point wasting a good bottle of wine.” Then she smiled again and lit his body on fire.
Seger lay on the bed, stroking Clara’s soft cheek and kissing her in the darkness, realizing that he was not the least bit disappointed to be lying in bed with a woman, having agreed to refrain from making love to her.
He hadn’t felt such tenderness in a long time. Eight years to be exact. He’d forgotten what it felt like.
Then he remembered the look on Clara’s face earlier when she told him she was not with child. She was clearly disappointed, but he had taken away that disappointment with a compassionate smile and a few choice words.
Maybe there was hope for him, after all. Maybe—as he and Clara grew closer—she would begin to trust him, and he would not feel so inept when it came to her more complicated emotions. He certainly felt close to her now, and not just in the physical sense.
He closed his eyes, pulled her into his arms, and fell asleep.
Chapter 18
Dear Clara,
Last night, I made the mistake of asking the hostess at a dinner party to pass me the gravy, and a dreadful silence fell upon the table. No one spoke to me for the rest of the evening. Mrs. Wadsworth, my lovely English governess, has since informed me that one should never ask the hostess for anything. Ask the servants. But you probably knew that already....
Adele
Seeing her sister enter the London ballroom, Clara excused herself from the other ladies. “Sophia, you’re back. How was Bath? Were you able to convince James’ sister to come home?”
“Bath was wonderful, and Lily seemed in good spirits. I tried to have her finish out the Season here, but she wouldn’t have it. She has not yet regained her confidence.”
“It might take some time.” Clara understood because she had been there.
They strolled around the room together, smiling and nodding at the other guests, then Sophia looped her arm through Clara’s. “I received your letter.”
“I was wondering if you had. I regret writing it now.”
“Why?”
“Because everything seems so much better. I haven’t mentioned my feelings about Gillian to Seger since that first night we argued, and we’ve been very happy the past few weeks.”
Sophia stopped and faced Clara. “But you seemed so upset when you wrote the letter. Has Gillian said anything else like that since then?”
“A few things, yes, but I’ve learned to ignore it and do my best not to let it bother me. I believe she is unhappy and spiteful, but I wouldn’t say that to anyone but you. I can’t insult or scorn Seger’s relations. His stepmother would hate me, and I don’t want that. I want to be accepted by his family.”
They began walking again. “But if she is saying things intentionally to hurt you, you should tell your husband.”
“I can’t right now. When I imagine myself repeating the things