“Don’t complain and let him do everything, and remember a lady who rides regularly doesn’t bleed on her first night. He won’t suspect anything. Just lie back, and he’ll do the rest.”
An hour later, after a bath and a change of clothes, she lay in her new, enormous bed, caressing her belly. Everything about the room was large and impressive. Every detail—from the porcelain vases on the table to the expensive Sheraton furniture—reminded her she was now part of the ancient House of Beaufort. An intruder. Worse, a thief.
Her legs were sore, her head hurt, and guilt was killing her. Now that she was married to Anthony, instead of deceiving him further, she might tell him the truth. Or maybe not. She should wait a few days…no, waiting would be worse. She groaned inwardly. Her head would burst with doubts.
Lawson, finishing a few chores around the room, distracted her.
“It’s done, Your Grace,” Lawson said, folding a blanket. “For better or worse, it’s done.”
“What if I tell him the truth tonight?”
Lawson stopped folding clothes. “What good would it bring? His Grace will want to know who the father is, and how do you think he’ll react knowing that his own brother is the reason for this hasty marriage? His Grace might decide to send you away, or worse, hate the child and send it away from you. Or he might ask for an annulment. After tonight, when the marriage is consummated, you won’t need to worry. The baby will be safe from poverty or scorn. That’s the only thing that truly matters. The child will become a duke or a respected lady, and above all, it’ll be next to its mother as it should be.” She squeezed Isabella’s hand. “If you don’t care about yourself, care about the child. For the child’s sake, endure your guilt.”
“Heavens.” Isabella covered her face with her hands. “I’m not sure I can…seduce him.”
“You won’t have to do anything. He’ll come to you tonight. All you’ll have to do is lie down and stay quiet.”
After Lawson left, Isabella slid under the covers and stared at the door that separated her room from her husband’s. The light from the fire cast dancing shadows on the walls and the door, giving them a demonic look that sent a chill to her bones.
She wasn’t afraid of the act itself. Quite the opposite. When she’d been with Patrick, the tumble had been extremely pleasurable. But tonight was different. Tonight, she had to guarantee a future for her child. At least after tonight, she wouldn’t worry about the future of her child anymore.
She took a deep breath and waited.
* * *
Anthony hugged Grandmama again.For a woman who rarely showed affection, she was particularly caring that night.
“You look pale.” She searched his face. “You must be tired. I’m exhausted.”
“It was a long day.”
She kissed his cheek, the ruined one. He guessed she insisted on kissing his ugly cheek only to make a point and prove to him she didn’t find him repulsive.
“Good night, darling.” She paused at the door as if wanting to add something else. But then she waved at him and left.
When he was blissfully alone, he reclined in the armchair. The day hadn’t been tiringper se, but the tension of being under everyone’s scrutiny was exhausting.
Wilson came to help him out of his clothes, wash, shave, and don his dressing gown.
After that, he had no more excuses. It was in his right to visit his wife tonight. He wanted to. But there was no hurry, and he didn’t know if she was ready. Still, he ought to visit her. Ignoring her was rude.
He loitered in front of the door, wondering if he should leave her alone, but he simply wanted to hold her. From the moment the reception ended, he hadn’t been alone with her.
His pulse quickened when he pulled the connecting door open. The air in her bedroom was warm and smelled of roses like her. Only the fireplace and a lamp on her nightstand illuminated the room. She sat bolt upright on the bed. Her long braid fell to her waist.
“Anthony.”
From her tone, he couldn’t understand if she was relieved or worried.
He sat on the bed next to her, wishing to hold her. Just hold her. “Do you like your room?”
She pulled up the cover to her chin. “It’s beautiful.”
“You can decorate it as you want. You don’t have to keep the old furniture or drapes. You can get rid of anything you don’t like.”
She nodded, shivering. “Thank you.”
He scrubbed the back of his head. “I’m not ready for a honeymoon yet, but if you want, we can visit my estate in the north. It’s beautiful in summer.”
