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Well, it couldn’t be helped. She’d have to put the book back. As she stepped toward the shelf to return it, she dared to open it in the middle.
The sage wife will permit no more than one or two sexual experiences per week. Little by little, she should make every effort to reduce this frequency. A wife should not allow her husband liberties at all during the week of her courses.
Confusion muddled Sophie’s brain. Sexual activity should be reduced? But Ally, Rose, and Lily seemed to like it so much. In fact, Ally had told Sophie many times that women had just as many desires as men. Was Ally mistaken? Or was Lady Margaret Mead?
Sophie closed the book and hugged it to her chest. She had to read more. She stole out of the library and down the hallway to the servants’ staircase. As quietly as she could, she ascended and walked swiftly until she finally reached her own chamber on the second level. She silently closed her door and flopped onto her bed.
The book sat next to her, beckoning. Each time she reached for it, she drew her hand away quickly, frightened.
Oh, for goodness’ sake, Sophie. It’s a book. Just a book.
She opened it to the first page.
If you are reading this book, may I congratulate you on finding a husband. You have begun fulfilling your ultimate duty as a woman. Your duty now is to serve your husband, bear his children, and raise them. Your sole reason for existence revolves around this new man in your life. His needs are now your needs, his goals your goals, his likes and dislikes are your likes and dislikes.
The marriage bed is, unfortunately, now a part of your life. Do not delude yourself into thinking it enjoyable. Perhaps some women find it such, but most do not. But you must succumb to your husband’s baser desires. To understand the male human, think of animals copulating in the wild. The male human is not unlike his creature counterparts. He has urges, urges that must be met or he will become violent. While you may have been lucky enough to find a man who is gentle in most areas of his life, he may not be gentle in the marriage bed. You must lie back and allow him to do as he wishes, especially this first night. Get through it by hoping that he gives you a child. Once you are with child, he will most likely sate his desires elsewhere until you have given birth.
Sophie shook her head, confounded. This sounded nothing like what Ally talked about. And what in the world was that phenomenon that had happened to Sophie today in the alcove—with feelings so intense and pleasurable she thought she must be drifting into the heavens?
She closed the book. She would wait and talk to her sister. Perhaps Ally could show her some of the books she had read.
She startled at a knock on her door. Quickly, Sophie threw the book under her bed and then casually—or so she hoped—walked to the door and opened it.
Her maid, Hannah, stood there. “Supper is served in ten minutes, my lady.”
“Very well. Thank you, Hannah.”
Sophie was far from hungry. Her body was… She couldn’t find the words. Perhaps Ally would be at dinner. Of course, their parents and Evan would also be there—not the opportune time to speak of what she needed to speak of.
She descended and joined her family for dinner.
* * *
“So have you all heard the good news?” Ally asked.
“And what good news would that be?” Her husband, Evan, cocked his head.
“Yes, by all means, Ally, tell us,” the girls’ mother, Iris, the Countess Brighton, said, smiling.
Sophie groaned inaudibly. She knew exactly what was coming.
“Our own Sophie auditioned for Mr. Zachary Newland for his upcoming musicale, which was written by our esteemed cousin, the Earl of Thornton. Mr. Newland was so impressed, he wants to make Sophie his new lead soprano.”
Evan smiled broadly. “Why, Sophie, that’s excellent news. I’ve always wondered why you keep your angelic voice to yourself.”
“Indeed,” the earl said. “Congratulations to you.”
Iris simply smiled, nodding.
“When do you begin rehearsals?” Evan asked.
Sophie swallowed a mouthful of potage. “I don’t.”
“What do you mean?” Iris asked.
Sophie opened her mouth to respond, but Ally was quicker.
“Sophie doesn’t want to take the post. She wants to give up this amazing opportunity.”
