Blame It on Bath Page 0,67

the dinner table. He wouldn’t be the only one going to bed frustrated tonight. Not that it made him feel any better. Why the devil would she plead a headache when they both wanted a good tupping?

A stiff breeze coming off the river helped cool his blood. He paced along the banks until a passing carriage caught his eye. It trundled up the hill in the general direction of the Assembly Rooms, lamps aglow. With a sigh, he turned his steps in that direction. Perhaps Kate cared more than she let on about social outings. He remembered that she didn’t have any suitable gowns when they arrived and wondered if her new wardrobe was still on order. He turned up Milsom Street and located the dressmaker’s shop, its bow window dark. Tomorrow he would see she had a proper gown and take her to the Assembly. He thought of holding her in his arms as they danced, of her smiling up at him, of the amethyst pendant gleaming at her bosom. And then he would take her home and peel the dress off her, and make love to her while she wore his necklace and nothing else. Yes, that was a fine idea.

He strolled on. Having a plan made him feel much better. He could invite Carter and his sister to join them. It would be good to have friends to converse with, especially if any whispers started circulating about the damned Durham Dilemma.

Suddenly it occurred to him that Kate would suffer from those whispers, too. She was part of the family now, part of Durham. He knew she was aware of the rumors; she’d known before asking him to marry her. Given how little success he’d had in finding the blackmailer, though, they might well both be considered outcasts before the end of the month. Again he wondered what moved her to bind herself to him when his prospects were so uncertain. Somehow he’d have to tease that explanation from her.

But until then . . . He swore out loud, and a couple walking past recoiled in affront. He tipped his hat and murmured an apology as he hurried away. He should assure Kate that he was trying to address the problem. That was surely what was behind her questions tonight, perhaps even her refusal of his offer to go out. He had unconsciously been treating her like one of his men in the regiment, giving orders and not explaining himself because he was the commanding officer and his word was to be obeyed without question. A wife was not a soldier. A woman rarely liked to be ordered about. Damn. He’d convinced himself he was sparing her the tedium of his task when really he appeared to be letting ruin overtake them both. No wonder she was annoyed at him.

Gerard turned his steps toward Queen Square. As he approached his own house, he glanced at the other lighted windows glowing along the street, wondering if perhaps the gossipy old ladies who called today had said something. He imagined someone like Lady Eccleston getting her claws into Kate and pouring a river of lies and innuendos into her ear. Some of the rumors about his father’s activities were reprehensible. They reached his ears no matter how hard he tried to avoid them. And if the old crows tried to pry more information out of Kate . . . He jogged up the steps and let himself in, glancing up to see if she’d put out the lamp yet. The bedroom window was dark.

In the hall he handed his coat and hat to Bragg. “Did you overhear any mention of that damned dilemma when my lady had visitors today?” he asked quietly.

“No, sir.” Bragg took his gloves as Gerard pulled them off. “There was much laughing and chattering. Milady was smiling when they left, and everyone seemed quite cordial.”

“Good.” That was some relief, at least. For now.

He went upstairs and prepared for bed, slipping quietly into the bedchamber. Kate lay on her side with her back to him, curled up on the far edge of the bed. He set the lamp on the table and eased under the covers, sliding up close to her. She didn’t move or speak, but her eyes were open. “Kate.” He stroked her shoulder, disappointingly clad in a voluminous nightdress. “Do you really want to know why I came to Bath?”

For a moment she didn’t answer. “Yes,” she whispered.

He exhaled and settled a little more