After a few moments, he relaxed, his breathing still heavy. He opened his eyes and looked at her. “That,” he cleared his throat, “was definitely worth taking a walk for.”
She laughed and gave him a kiss. “I told you it would be.”
“I’ll never doubt you again.”
“We’ll have to try some other things,” she replied as she buttoned his clothes and his coat so no one would notice what they’d been doing out there. “And I believe you’ll enjoy them just as much as this one.” Giving him a suggestive wink, she put her gloves back on and stood up. “Care to join me inside? Being out here with you has made me quite eager for more. Care to go to your den and see how many clothes we can keep on while we work on an heir?”
Though his face was still flushed from their recent activity, she detected his shyness coming back.
“Come on. It’ll be just as fun as what we just did. I promise.” She held his cane out to him.
After he rose to his feet, he took it and slipped his arm around her waist. “You’re the most thrilling person I’ve ever met.”
She kissed his cheek. “Good.”
“Paula,” he began, his tone becoming serious, “if you don’t have a son, I won’t be disappointed. Christopher will get my title if there’s no heir, and since he’s married to Agatha, I know if he has an heir, she’ll make sure he’s deserving of the title.”
She studied his expression as they stepped down from the gazebo. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
“Oh yes. She’s got a way of making sure Christopher stays out of trouble. She’ll do the same with their children. I wish I knew her secret, but alas—”
“No. About the heir. You’ll be happy even if I never have a son.”
“Life is about more than titles or money. It’s about the people we love and the moments we have together. Paula, I had parents who loved each other. I watched Christopher’s parents, and they didn’t. There’s a difference between the way a home feels when a husband and wife appreciate one another. What we have is the most important thing in my life, and as long as I have you, I’m complete.”
She blinked back the tears in her eyes. “You say things like that and you wonder if I’m satisfied when you make love to me? Perry, it’s because you love me so well that I enjoy our intimate moments.” On impulse, she stopped walking and hugged him, and he brought her into the protective warmth of his embrace. “When you make love to me, I feel loved. I feel wanted. I feel complete. You don’t have to ever doubt yourself. You can touch me and kiss me anywhere you want to. You don’t need to ask.” Looking up at him, she cupped his face in her hands, wondering why even now, he should seem hesitant to act on his desires. “You don’t have to be shy.”
“Well, I have been reading a book,” he glanced skyward, “someone brought to my attention.”
“A book?”
“I haven’t gotten through all of it yet. It’s something I read from time to time.” He cleared his throat. “It’s about pleasing a lady in bed.”
She watched as his face grew bright red and fought the urge to laugh. The poor man was so incredibly sweet and nervous. “Do you want to try something you read in the book?”
“I’m not sure if the book is accurate. I mean, it’s supposedly written by a lady, but who’s to say that a gentleman didn’t write it and was just saying he was a lady to gain some credibility?”
“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you let me read the book, and I’ll tell you if it’s right or not. Then we can try something you’d like to do.”
“It wouldn’t embarrass you to do that?”
“No, because you’re my husband.” And if it would help him feel more comfortable in bed, then he’d finally be free to do the things he’d been wanting to do but holding back in fear he’d somehow upset her.
“Well, all right. But I want to do that thing you mentioned by the fireplace first. You know, the one where we keep as many clothes on as possible while working on an heir. That sounds like a lot of fun.”
This time she did laugh. “You have my word. When we’re back inside, we’ll do that one.”
***
A week later, Perry was going through his ledger in the den when a knock came from the door. Glancing up, he saw the butler and waved him in.
“This came for you, my lord.”
Perry took the missive. “Thank you.”
After the butler left, he opened it. It was from Paula’s brother, and better yet, he had agreed to come out for a two-week visit. Perfect. He didn’t expect anything in the first week. The first week would merely be about making Stewart feel comfortable and secure. During the second week, Stewart was bound to do or say something that would expose his true intentions. Soon. Soon, Perry would get to the bottom of what was going on.
Chapter Twenty-One
Perry stared at Paula from across the table a week later as they finished their morning meal. He had to tell her. She wasn’t going to be happy knowing that her brother was coming, which was why he delayed the news for as long as he could, especially since she’d been happy after they arrived at Blackburn. He got to see the young, vibrant lady she truly was, got to know her much better than he had while in London, and she was altogether charming—a much needed refreshing change from what he’d been used to in his solitary world.
But he couldn’t put the news off any longer. He had to do it and it was best to do it today. He picked up the cloth napkin from his lap and wiped his mouth. “It’s a nice day. Would you like to go outside?”
Her eyes twinkled as she made eye contact with him. “Are you in the mood for another walk?”
Catching her subtle meaning, his skin warmed. How she had talked him into engaging in intimate play at the gazebo, he still couldn’t figure out, but if he was honest with himself, he had to admit that she could talk him into doing anything. Unfortunately, he didn’t think her mind would be on trying the things they had read about in the book after she found out what he needed to tell her.
“Actually, I was thinking of taking a carriage ride today.”
“A carriage ride might be a nice change.”
She winked at him and he glanced at the servants, praying none of them knew what she was hinting at. “I’ll send for the coachman at once.”
A slight smile curled her lips upward as she rose from her chair. She wouldn’t be smiling for long. He hurried off to arrange for the carriage ride while she slipped into warmer clothing.
In due time, they were sitting together in the carriage, and he brought her into his embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist in a way that spoke volumes of how much she loved him.
He kissed the top of her head. “Paula, I love you and nothing will ever change that.”
She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked at him, her eyebrows furrowed. “You sound serious. Are you about to tell me something I won’t like?”
Giving her a gentle squeeze, he said, “I received a missive from your brother, and he’ll be coming out here tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“I know I should have told you sooner, but we were having such a wonderful time and I didn’t want to spoil it.”
She turned her gaze to the small window and didn’t answer for the longest time. When she finally did, her voice was so low, he barely heard her. “How long will he be here?”
“Two weeks.”
Her eyes wide, she looked back at him. “Two weeks?”
Not surprised that she nearly shrieked the question, he took her hand and gently squeezed it. “Paula, not too long ago, you were at his townhouse and seemed to be getting along with him. What’s going on?”
She let out a long sigh. “Nothing. I…um…I’d like to spend time alone with you, that’s all. As you said, we’ve been having a wonderful time. Just the two of us. I like it that way.” She glanced out the window. “I didn’t think he’d invite himself all the way out here.”
“Actually, I invite
d him when we were at Lord Reddington’s ball,” he forced out, knowing full well this wouldn’t please her any more than the news of her brother’s impending arrival.
“You invited him?”
“I can’t go into my reasons, but I had to.”
“Did he make you invite him?”
“You could say that.”
“Did he say something?”
“Something like what?” he asked, hoping she’d slip and give him a hint into what was going on.
“Something about me wanting him to visit?”
“No. I extended the invitation and he accepted. I’d like to get to know him better. However,” he began, a twinge of guilt making him reconsider his plan, “when he arrives, I’ll tell him a matter’s come up and he’ll have to return to London.”
He thought she might agree to it by the way her body relaxed. And as disappointed as he’d be since he wanted nothing more than to figure out what was going on, he’d rather do that than put her under more strain than she could handle.
She shook her head. “No. Don’t send him away when he arrives,” she said, her tone soft. “It’s only two weeks and after that, he’ll be gone.”
He’d be lying if he didn’t admit how relieved he was that she relented. And that being the case, he wouldn’t try to coax her into telling him what hold her brother had over her. He’d find out soon enough.
***
Paula pressed her hands over her stomach, afraid at any moment she might lose her lunch as Stewart’s carriage pulled up to the front of the house.
Two weeks. It was only two weeks. Surely, she could do this. Because if she didn’t allow him to visit, who knew what he’d tell Perry?
She glanced at her husband as he stepped toward the carriage to wait for the footman to open the door. The fact that Perry hadn’t pressed her for more information should have made her feel better about the whole thing. He knew she didn’t want her brother there and yet didn’t insist she tell him why. He merely accepted her answers and still treated her as if she was the most important person in his life. How could someone so wonderful exist? She couldn’t find any fault in him. He was altogether lovely, and she was very much undeserving of his love.
Stewart got out of the carriage, his gaze lingering on the manor as Perry welcomed him. No doubt he was in awe of how big the place was. Even Paula had marveled at the size of it when she came here. And more than that, the grounds were immaculate and the stables in good order. Everything Perry owned was well-cared for.
“You must be exhausted after your long journey,” Perry told her brother. “I’ll have the butler show you to your bedchamber and have a bath brought up for you.”
Her brother’s eyebrows rose as he glanced in her direction. “My sister has done very well in marrying you, my lord. Had I known how good you would be to her, I never would have protested the union the night we met.”
Through great force of will, she managed to avoid rolling her eyes. No doubt he was thinking that Perry had more money than even the Duke of Leavenshire, and that was to his benefit.
“That’s all in the past. The important thing is we make a profitable future together,” Perry told him.
She studied her husband, wondering why he should choose the word ‘profitable’. It almost seemed as if he said it to catch her brother’s interest, but that couldn’t be the case.
“Indeed,” her brother agreed.
She nearly gagged. Could he sound any more excited? If he wasn’t careful, he was going to give his intentions away. Then Perry would begin to ask questions, and those were questions she didn’t want to answer. She rubbed her stomach, sure she was going to be sick. How was she going to survive the next two weeks acting as if everything was all right?
As Stewart passed her, he slowed his steps and whispered, “Are you expecting?”
“No,” she hissed. How dare he ask her something so personal in front of everyone? Even if he was quiet, someone might have overheard.
“I meant no offense,” he replied, his eyes widening innocently. “You look as if you’re ready to vomit, and I can only think of one reason why that might be.”
“Is something wrong?” Perry asked as he approached them.
“I merely made an inquiry regarding my sister’s health,” Stewart replied. “I thought she looked ill. Thankfully, she’s feeling fine.”
Perry placed a comforting hand on the small of her back and led her into their home, the butler leading her brother in behind them.
“Before I see my room, may I have a word alone with my sister?” Stewart called out.
Her stomach rolled. She was going to throw up. She just knew it! He was probably ready to demand she give him money. And she didn’t have any excuses to give Perry about needing to buy something.
Perry turned to her. “Did you need to change for dinner?”
Sweet Perry. Always looking for ways to protect her. He was giving her the perfect opportunity to bow out of this awkward situation. But she didn’t dare upset her brother who could let something slip at any moment. “I’ll go to my bedchamber in a moment. I’m sure whatever Stewart has to say, it won’t take long.” She glanced at him and silently pleaded with him to accept those terms.
“It won’t,” Stewart—thankfully—consented.
“All right then,” Perry replied then looked at her. “I’ll be getting ready for dinner.” The footman came in with Stewart’s luggage and took it up the stairs. “We’ll have you all settled in soon,” Perry told her brother. “Paula, if you need me, you know where to find me.”
She nodded.
“Will you require anything to eat or drink?” the butler asked.
“No,” she answered before Stewart could open his mouth. “As my brother said, this will be only a moment.”
“Summon me when you’re ready to go to your bedchamber,” the butler told Stewart.
Not bothering to see if her brother responded, she hurried to the drawing room. Her knees were so weak that she had to sit on the settee or else she would have fainted. Having Stewart under the same roof was going to be a more trying experience than she anticipated.
Her brother shut the door and made a show of inspecting the furnishings as he approached the chair next to her. “I didn’t think your husband’s things would be more expensive in the country. I thought he only displayed his best where others could stop in and see it at a moment’s notice.”
“The portrait is Perry’s grandfather. The desk belonged to his great-grandfather. The other furniture all belonged to his father. As for the inkwell and everything else on the desk, they belonged to his mother. You can’t have anything in this room.”
He settled in the chair next to her and put his feet on the small table in front of him. “I don’t recall saying I wanted something in this room.”
“Before you did, I’m just letting you know you can’t. Everything has sentimental value. He’ll notice if you take any of it.”
“Does everything in this manor have sentimental value?”
“Most of it does.”
“These things in his possession were handed down to him from one generation to another?” He rubbed his chin, a slow grin spreading across his face. “But I notice everything is in excellent condition. He has to have money to manage that. And the servants are better dressed than some noblemen’s. The poor man has nothing to do but spend money on people. I’ll be doing him a service. He needs help disposing of his unlimited wealth.”
“I may not be privy to how much he’s worth, but I assure you, it’s not unlimited.”
“Well, he has far more than most noblemen.”
“Stewart,” she warned, her anger starting to overcome her fear of him, “he’s already a generous person. It’s not right for you to take advantage of someone so nice.”
He smirked. “My dear, dear sister, if he’s too nice to say no when someone needs financial assistance, then it’s his fault if he gets taken advantage of.”
“I mean it, Stewar
t. Don’t take advantage of him!” Realizing her voice had been louder than she intended, she glanced at the door and prayed no one overheard her.
“I don’t know what you’re getting so upset about. It’s not like he can’t afford it. But,” he rose to his feet and examined the room, “in order to stop you from acting hysterical for the next two weeks, I’ll be discrete. If you are that worried, you could always distract him by taking him to bed. A lady with your past must be good at that kind of thing.”
She stood up to slap him, but he was already on his way to the door. Her jaw clenched, she sat back down. Her body shook with rage. She’d love nothing more than to get rid of him, once and for all. But doing so would cost her Perry’s love, and if there was one thing she couldn’t lose, it was that. She took a deep breath and slowly released it. Two weeks. It was only going to be two weeks. She could make it to then. Her fingernails dug into the palm of her hands. She hoped.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“I must say, this is a splendid meal,” Stewart raved before he took a sip from his wine.
Perry wiped his mouth with his cloth napkin and set it back on his lap. “Thank you. Cook will be pleased to hear you think so.”
A glance in Paula’s direction showed Perry that she’d barely eaten her food. Biting back the urge to plead with her to eat, he settled for smiling instead. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought tears filled her eyes before she returned her gaze to her plate.
“I can’t compliment him enough. I’ve never had venison this good before,” Stewart said, either oblivious to his sister’s condition or too wrapped up in himself to care.
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