Page 52 of The Odyssean Duke

If Evelina could not manage to consummate her marriage, she would lose any chance she might have of bearing a child. Even if she had her allowance and a house, Stephan would not even want to look at her if she failed him. A lump rose in her throat, making it difficult to breathe. She forced herself to appear stoic and imposing, but once she heard the door close, signaling Her Grace’s departure, Evelina let herself collapse against the banister.

The air was too warm, and she had difficulty drawing breath. She began to think over every detail of her plan and its execution, every little aspect that might go horribly wrong. All the thoughts rose inside her, playing together like a discordant symphony.

What have I done?

CHAPTER 22

For the first time since returning to London, Stephan allowed himself to relax. He tipped his head back against the seat and settled more comfortably. A half-filled glass of brandy was held loosely in his right hand, and he’d drunk enough to feel pleasant and carefree. Murrayton sat beside him; they had been talking about nothing of consequence for a considerable time, just the usual business that involved being an aristocrat, managing properties and pleasing tenants.

It was perfect, easier than he thought it would be, to fall into the expected pattern of being the Duke of Rothbury. Stephan’s mood was so exuberant that even his grandmother’s arrival would have been unable to dampen his spirits.

“Do you fancy trying your hand at cards?” Murrayton asked, grinning.

Stephan shook his head and raised his glass of brandy. “I need at least two more before I am willing to trythat,” he said.

Stephan had no particular opposition to gambling, but he was poor at it. Worse, he did not like to lose to anyone and knew that he was not gracious in defeat, unless he had drunk to excess. Stephan seldom did that either.

“I must say, I am surprised to see you tonight,” Murrayton said.

Stephan brought the brandy to his lips. He had caught an unusual note of caution in his friend’s voice, and Stephan suspected that Murrayton was on the verge of saying something which would greatly displease him.

“Why is that?” Stephan asked.

It was best to be direct. An admiral did not flee from battle, after all. He faced his adversaries directly and without hesitation.

“You have your blushing bride at home,” Murrayton said. “I had thought you would be spending your nights with her.”

Stephan took a sip of his brandy. He would have preferred to spend his nights with her. Evelina had an exquisite body, all soft curves and gentle angles, and last night, he had seen her come undone to his tongue. Her face had flushed a charming pink, and the sound of her cries and moans had sent a fissure of pleasure burning through him. He had ached for her. Hestillached for her, and if he was not careful, the thought of touching Evelina might well undo him. His breath quickened, and he took a large swallow of brandy to calm himself.

Murrayton watched him carefully. “We are friends, are we not? If there is something wrong or amiss, maybe I can offer some guidance.”

Stephan shook his head. “No guidance is needed. I am simply allowing Evelina time to adjust to being my wife and the Duchess of Rothbury. I will join her in due course.”

“Time,” Murrayton said delicately, “is a luxury that you do not have.”

“I have impressed upon Evelina how serious the matter is,” Stephan said. “She will not keep me waiting for long. I can afford to give her a few nights to become accustomed to her new life.”

Murrayton frowned and rubbed his jaw. “That is unlike you.”

“How so?”

“You have always been so direct and decisive,” Murrayton said. “That is what made you a good admiral. You did not falter or hesitate.”

He thought about explaining Evelina’s situation, that she was avirgin.A virgin! Stephan could scarcely believe that himself. The late Earl of Thornwall must have been the most ungrateful man in England. Anyone who could see would observe that Evelina was beautiful. How could any man marry that woman and choose to neglect her, to chase mistresses when she was soperfect and wonderfully responsive to attention? She bloomed like a rose beneath his touches.

Stephan decided not to tell Murrayton that Evelina was a virgin and therefore more hesitant than he had expected. It seemed like a personal detail, which should remain between himself and his new, young wife.

“I was not managing women when I was an admiral,” Stephan said instead. “I must be careful with Evelina, or she will come to despise me.’

Stephan found himself strangely discomfited by the thought that he might upset Evelina. There was no need for him to care about herfeelings. This arrangement was only a matter of convenience, nothing more, but Stephan still felt that he would be wretched if he upset her. Evelina was a good woman, and regardless of how short their arrangement might be, he did not wish to upset her.

“I do not wish to question you,” Murrayton said.

Stephan raised a brow. “But you are anyway.”

“Indeed, I am. I am concerned for you. There is so little time for you to produce an heir,” Murrayton said, lowering his voice. “Are you certain that you can afford to wait? It is not always easy.”

“I know,” Stephan said, “and I am unworried. One or two nights will make little difference. Besides, the lady asked for more time. What choice do I have?”