butler
found it the least bit amusing.”
“But I didn’t do it for the butler. I did it
for you. I was thinking tonight we could try something different.
Just think of the strawberry as your more interesting part.”
He gasped and covered the area of his groin,
though he was fully clothed. “I have no such inclination to do
that.”
Her eyes widened. “You don’t?”
“Certainly not. I don’t know what you take me
for, but I am a gentleman.”
“The reason you’re a gentleman is why you
should enjoy having a lady’s mouth on your—”
“Enough. You don’t have to say the word.”
“Are you telling me you don’t want me to do
that?”
Since she was being sincere in asking the
question, he figured he’d answer it. “The purpose of being intimate
is to have children. I don’t see how doing the thing you proposed
with the strawberry is going to accomplish that.”
“Not everything we do has to result in
children.”
“I see no reason to do something unless
there’s a purpose for it.”
“The purpose would be fun. Enjoyment.
Pleasure.”
“I find all the fun I need from making
money.” Glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner of the
room, he said, “I want to make sure I get to White’s by the time
Warren does. He likes to get there early.”
“Warren?” she asked as he walked around
her.
“Lord Steinbeck.” He looked back at her and
smiled. “I get to refer to him by his Christian name. Not every
gentleman gets that honor. I took a look at your ledger, and I can
easily double what you have in two years. That’s why meetings with
people of Warren’s reputation are of the utmost importance.”
He was hoping she’d looked suitably
impressed, but she only stared at him as if she hadn’t heard a
single thing he’d said. Well, maybe when she realized how much he
was capable of earning, she’d understand why he had much more
important things to do than spend all day in a bedchamber.
***
Regan was confounded. Completely and utterly
confounded. Even after she made it to Danette’s, the conversation
she’d shared with Malcolm in his bedchamber still had her at a
loss.
She’d thought for sure after experiencing the
bliss of lovemaking that Malcolm would want to engage in it for the
sole purpose of enjoyment. But he surprised her. He still thought
it should only be for having children. He thought making money was
far more enjoyable, and, worse than that, he would rather spend
time with conceited know-it-alls like Lord Steinbeck.
If only she could discuss this matter with
Frederick. He’d know what to do. But then, if Frederick was alive,
she wouldn’t be in this situation.
She glanced at Danette who was giving Leonard
a tart. It was a shame she couldn’t talk to her friend about this.
Her friend had never been married. Her world was in books, and
nothing she ever read was remotely interesting.
“My father is nice,” Leonard told
Danette.
“That’s wonderful,” Danette replied. Picking
up a cup of tea, she turned to Regan. “Would you like more
tea?”
Regan glanced down at the cup she was
holding, which was still full. “No, I still have enough.”
Danette nodded and settled back on the settee
she and Regan were sitting on. “It’s good Mr. Jasper gets along so
well with your son. It’s what you hoped for.”
“Yes, it is.” She glanced at her son then
whispered, “He needed a father.” And Frederick would have wanted it
for him. In a louder voice, she added, “You can call him
Malcolm.”
“But I call him ‘father’,” Leonard said.
“Right,” she replied.
Danette studied her as she sipped some tea.
“Is something wrong?”
Regan tried to figure out the best way to
express her concerns. She couldn’t come right out and say what was
on her mind. Not only would Danette not understand, but Leonard was
listening. Finally, she opted for, “Malcolm and I aren’t getting
along as well as I’d hoped.”
“You can’t be surprised,”
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