for his faithfulness. He never recognized poor Francis, but your father did his best once he succeeded. They grew close. I believe that Frances mourned as much as any upon your father’s death. If you saw anything between Felicity and Frances it was no doubt nothing more than an exchange of condolence.”
Tristan walked away from Marguerite and sank into a chair. This was all unbelievable. How could he have been so wrong? He was never wrong. Well, evidently he was wrong quite a lot. He looked over at Marguerite. Could a look say “I told you so”?
“So Will is?” Marguerite asked, turning to face him.
“Tristan’s cousin. I wondered if you’d noticed the resemblance.” Lady Smythe-Burke stood.
Tristan could say nothing. He felt sick to his stomach. He’d had believed in an error for so long. Everything Marguerite had said about him was correct.
Lady Smythe-Burke glanced from one to the other. “I am afraid I must be going. When I saw your mother in the park she was with Violet Carrington. I promised to stop by and discuss some matters with her as soon as my work here was done.” She turned to the door. “I am sure the two of you can work the rest of it out by yourselves. Felicity did indicate congratulations were in order, so you must be doing something right.”
She breezed out leaving only a whisper of words behind her. “Now Violet, there is a girl who needs some help. Thinks she’s happy, but how can she be. Wonder what I can help push along for her.”
Chapter Twenty
Marguerite turned over in the bed, the solid weight of her husband beside her. He had insisted on carrying her up to bed when Lady Smythe-Burke left. She had tried to discuss all the matters before them, but he had insisted she needed a nap. She had been about to discuss his skills at listening again when he had indicated she was not to nap alone.
Ahh, well, she stretched. They might need to work together on his listening, but his other skills might help tip the balance on in his favor.
He rolled over and opened one eye. Catching her watching him he opened the other. “Are we ready to move on or do I need to listen some more?” He ran a hand up her thigh.
She shivered and tried to pull back. He wrapped the other hand about her waist pulling her towards him. “I listen better when you’re close.” He started to lay kisses along her neck.
“In that case I do have one question.” Marguerite worked her own hand between them, causing him to moan. “I have been reviewing events carefully trying to address whether you have lied to me.”
Tristan tensed, but kept kissing her. “And?” he whispered against her neck.
“On that now infamous first night you also mentioned a mistress who threatened to cause a scandal if you did not marry her. At this point I assume it is not Violet we speak of. What became of this mistress?”
Had her husband’s ears turned red? He mumbled something and slipped his lips down to her breast. His other hand slid further up her thigh. She gritted her teeth trying not to respond. She could feel quivers of excitement flying across her belly. “I want an answer I can hear.”
Tristan sucked hard on her nipple, once, but when she refused to give in. He lifted his head. “I may have exaggerated that one. She did exist, but I am afraid I’d left her weeks before. I did not take well to blackmail.”
“So you did lie?” Marguerite squirmed under his continued onslaught. It was growing hard to breathe, much less speak.
“Can’t we just call it an exaggeration? I assure you I never meant to lie.” He attacked the other breast.
“Exaggeration? I might be able to go with that. You do have other redeeming characteristics,” she panted. “Of course, I would expect some kind of recompense for my patience.” She drew her hand up stroking him fully. His whole body jerked.
“Something like this?” His fingers delved deep into her, centering on that all-important feminine bundle of nerves.
“I – I – I was thinking of something with words.”
He stopped all movement and raised his head to stare deep into her eyes. “Something, like ‘I love you, Marguerite. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
She lifted her hips beneath him, until they lay almost joined. “Yes, I think that will do very well.”
He moved again, and again, and they spoke no more words.
*******
Coming in March 2013 – Georgianna, The Last Real Duchess
(A Real Duchesses of London Novella)
Also by Lavinia Kent
The Desire Series
Hint of Desire
Price of Desire
Taste of Desire
A Talent for Sin
Bound by Temptation
Taken by Desire
What a Duke Wants
The Real Duchesses of London
Kathryn, the Kitten
Linnette, the Lioness
Elizabeth, the Enchantress
Annabelle, the American
Georgianna, the Last Real Duchess
(Coming March 2013)
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty