The Consolation Prize (Brides of Karadok #3) - Alice Coldbreath Page 0,53
he passed her a bowl and spoon and cut her a piece of bread. The pottage was in a large dish and Una helped herself to a decent helping and tucked in. There was no meat or fish, but the vegetables and grains were tasty and filling enough, and she had eaten far worse in her time.
Armand grimaced when he sampled his, but then proceeded to demolish three bowlfuls and half a loaf, before pouring them both another cup of wine and sitting back in his chair. She was just watching Abelard get up from the fire and retreat under the dresser, when Armand cleared his throat.
“Una, I think it’s time we discuss our wedding night,” he said heavily.
Una almost dropped her piece of bread with surprise. “Must we discuss it?” she asked in a strangled voice once she could finally muster a breath. “What is done is done.” Her brain raced. Was he going to question the consummation simply because he could not remember it? Her mouth turned dry with apprehension.
He eyed her gravely. “Because, I’ve a notion I did not treat you as a princess might expect,” he said slowly.
“Well, I was no longer a princess by then,” she pointed out, in what she hoped was an even tone, though her heart was hammering wildly. Just when the fates were smiling down upon her, she thought despairingly.
“I know it’s probably indelicate as hell, my wanting to talk about this, but you don’t need to look quite so terrified,” he said impatiently. “I’m not about to force myself on you.”
Una took a sip of wine, while her brain raced to grasp what he was saying. “I’m terrified because I’m scared you want to deny our marriage’s validity,” she said, frankly. “Not because of anything you did or didn’t do and not because I’m scared of you, Sir—” She broke off in confusion. “I mean, Armand.”
A heavy silence hung between them a moment. “I’m not about to deny the consummation,” he said shortly. “I don’t know where you got that impression.” She let out an audible sigh of relief and slumped back in her seat, feeling quite limp.
He frowned. “Just because I don’t precisely remember it, doesn’t mean …,” He gave up abruptly before starting again. “I do have some confused memories of us …” His words trailed off. “In any case, a man can tell when he’s, ah …”
Seeing his confusion, she set down her cup and said soothingly, “You did everything that is expected of a bridegroom on his wedding night, I assure you.”
“It’s the things I probably didn’t do, that worry me.”
“But there wasn’t anything,” she said, frowning. “In truth,” she started hesitantly, deciding that perfect frankness was the best course of action. Taking a deep breath, she plunged on. “You would simply have slept right through if I had not insisted you did your duty.” She felt herself turn a deep dark red at this confession.
Armand stared at her. Then he rubbed his brow distractedly. “You insisted I did my duty and bed you?”
“Of course. You must understand,” she said appealingly, “I was quite desperate to legitimize our marriage.” His expression grew grim, so she hurried on. “You were very sleepy and I-I simply rolled you on top of me.” Her face was on fire at the admission.
“That’s it?” he asked incredulously.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“I did not ready you in any way?”
Una hesitated. “You kissed me and touched my bosom.”
He looked away, avoiding her eyes. “Between your legs, I mean.”
“No,” she admitted in bewilderment, casting her mind back.
He closed his eyes an instant. “How you can say that I did everything I ought when I clearly did not, is beyond me.” When she sat in confused silence, he took another liberal swig of wine. “If I said I wanted to do it again, would you find the thought distasteful? This time, I can promise you, will be different.”
Una lowered her goblet and stared at him. “Oh!” she said lamely. Wherever she had thought he was going with this conversation, she had not expected this. She made a valiant attempt to gather her scattered wits. “Well, of course, you are perfectly entitled. That is your husbandly right.” As soon as she had said it, she could see he was not happy with her choice of words. “I mean I should be most happy to accommodate you,” she said flushing hotly.
He plunked his cup down on the table and muttered something under his breath.