“Now, I shall impart some of my wisdom on the subject.” Trafford’s drawl was smug.
“Please do not.”
“You want to know what I know, Little Breeches. Gwendolyn Abbott will be a very happy woman if you listen up.”
Aidan groaned and considered his options—return home with a hazy idea of what was involved; return to the Abbott townhouse to question his father; or remain here and endure Trafford’s explanations.
“Bloody hell, just make it painless.”
Trafford tsked. “Do you want painless, or effective?”
Aidan dropped his head into his hands, mortified to receive lessons on carnal relations from the pompous coxcomb he could barely tolerate. “Effective, I suppose.”
Trafford needed no further encouragement, launching into a detailed explanation of the female anatomy.
CHAPTER 10
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.”
Aristotle
Gwen was not sure what to do. It would appear her new husband had abandoned her, having left hours earlier. It was time to prepare for dinner, but she had envisioned that they would retire to her room earlier. In her azure gown.
Should she change for dinner, or keep her wedding gown on?
They were frivolous thoughts in lieu of the panic building in the pit of her stomach since Aidan had left so hurriedly. Gwen was growing more certain that he regretted their marriage, which was all the more painful to consider now that she had met all his relations.
She had enjoyed her afternoon with little Ethan and the adults. Usually, she spent time with the older people in society,the young women being rather spiteful toward her while the disinterest of the younger gentlemen had led to few conversations over the years.
Keeping company with intelligent men and women of an age with her, Gwen had become hopeful for the future. It seemed a whole new world was opening up. She anticipated future engagements with his extended family while she and Aidan started a new chapter of their own.
Gwen closed her wardrobe. She had been staring into it for several minutes and still not reached a decision.
“He hates being married to me.”
“Nonsense!” Octavia retorted quickly, but there was a note of hesitation in her tone. “He … just had … something … important to do … someone important to see.”
Buttercup whined in agreement, sitting at Octavia’s heels and her brown eyes contemplating Gwen with interest.
“On our wedding day?”
Octavia turned away, clearly at a loss. The dog remained seated, her gaze never leaving Gwen, who shifted around the room restlessly to pick up items and then place them back where she found them. Buttercup watched on, her little head cocked to one side, but she made no remarks about the agitated behavior of her new mistress.
“Should I change for dinner?”
“Perhaps I should bring up a tray?”
Gwen nodded. Her father had already stated he would not be available for dinner, so she would be eating alone at the dining table, while she worried about Aidan’s continued absence, if she went downstairs. An unappealing prospect.
Octavia left, and Gwen went to sit at the window. Picking up her copy ofThe Odyssey, she attempted to focus on Homer’s epic poem before tossing the book back on the side table. Buttercup followed her to settle heavily upon her slippered feet as if to remark that Gwen needed to calm herself.
Have I made a mistake?
It was disheartening to think such thoughts within hours of their vows. It would have been nice if it had taken several days for the first doubts to set in.
Gwen drummed her fingers on the plump stuffing of her favorite armchair. Sitting here provided a view of the garden, with the Thames twinkling beyond the lawn. It might be her father’s only remaining property, but it was a beauty, an oasis within London that she would miss when she and Aidan moved to their new home.
The indigo wingback seat had once belonged to her mother, and she planned to take it with her because of the comfort it brought her to remember the times they had spent together.
