unwell tonight?”
Paul shrugged. “That is the story Lucky has told her mother, so I wanted to be consistent.”
“Why are you bringing her here of all places, and does Mr. Delornay know?”
“He does. I can’t say he was happy about it, but he agreed with my reasoning eventually.” Paul gestured at the nearest seat. “Will you sit down? I’m getting a crick in my neck with you towering over me like that.”
Ambrose complied with unusually ill grace.
“Thank you. I’m bringing Lucky here because I want her to see me as I really am.”
“Naked and fucking anyone who asks you?”
Paul winced. “That’s a little harsh, my friend.”
“But that’s my point. That isn’t all there is to you. You are so much more than that.” Ambrose hesitated. “Are you trying to drive her away?”
“No!”
“Then why focus on showing her this part of you?”
“Because she deserves to know what she is marrying. I want her to understand about sex in all its many facets so that she can make an informed decision.”
Ambrose sighed. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard you say. In fact, it doesn’t even sound like something you would say. Have you been talking to Madame Helene?”
“She helped me come to a decision, yes, but I do want to be honest with Lucky.”
“With all due respect, Paul, I was here when your future wife was brought in. And despite what Emily thinks, I don’t believe Lady Lucinda was simply kissed in the garden and tore her dress.”
“And your point is?”
“If she was . . . forced, then bringing her here to such a blatantly sexual place might not be the best idea. She might panic.”
Paul shoved a hand through his hair. “I’ve thought of that, but you don’t know her as well as I do, Ambrose. She is very strong, and she is also determined that I show her my true nature before she commits herself totally to this marriage. She insisted that I be honest”
“Is she pregnant? Is that why she is willing to agree to try anything?”
Paul felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. He fought for control before rising slowly to his feet. “She will be here in a moment. I’m going up to the main hall to meet her.”
“Be careful, Paul,” Ambrose said.
“I’ll do my best.” Paul nodded and went toward the door, his thoughts in a whirl. He hadn’t considered all the possible consequences of Lucky’s ordeal. Was Lucky even aware that she might have conceived? If she was, Ambrose might be right, and all her protestations of honesty might mean nothing. She had been protected all her life, so the thought of having a child out of wedlock would devastate her and thus her family.
More to the point, would he be able to welcome another man’s child into his life? At least he might give the dukedom an heir. Would Lucky be happy about that too?
By the time he reached the main hallway, he was no closer to knowing the answers. He intercepted one of the footmen who dealt with incoming guests and verified their membership.
“Jarvis, I’m expecting a lady. She will be wearing a dark brown cloak edged with fur, and she will ask for me by name. Send her into the first waiting room, will you? I’ll meet her there.”
“Certainly, sir.”
Paul went into the already warm room and took a couple of masks out of one of the drawers. It would be hard to conceal his identity when he was so well known at the pleasure house, but it was imperative that they concealed Lucky’s. The clock on the mantelpiece chimed nine times, and he started to pace the carpet.
He couldn’t ask Lucky if she was breeding. She might not even know herself. If he married her, he had to take on everything about her, even her child. It was little to ask in return for a dukedom and a life free of gossip and innuendo. He stared into the red heart of the fire. Sometimes he felt like he was being slowly smothered and that no one could hear his screams.
The door opened and Jarvis stepped inside,
Paul shrugged. “That is the story Lucky has told her mother, so I wanted to be consistent.”
“Why are you bringing her here of all places, and does Mr. Delornay know?”
“He does. I can’t say he was happy about it, but he agreed with my reasoning eventually.” Paul gestured at the nearest seat. “Will you sit down? I’m getting a crick in my neck with you towering over me like that.”
Ambrose complied with unusually ill grace.
“Thank you. I’m bringing Lucky here because I want her to see me as I really am.”
“Naked and fucking anyone who asks you?”
Paul winced. “That’s a little harsh, my friend.”
“But that’s my point. That isn’t all there is to you. You are so much more than that.” Ambrose hesitated. “Are you trying to drive her away?”
“No!”
“Then why focus on showing her this part of you?”
“Because she deserves to know what she is marrying. I want her to understand about sex in all its many facets so that she can make an informed decision.”
Ambrose sighed. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard you say. In fact, it doesn’t even sound like something you would say. Have you been talking to Madame Helene?”
“She helped me come to a decision, yes, but I do want to be honest with Lucky.”
“With all due respect, Paul, I was here when your future wife was brought in. And despite what Emily thinks, I don’t believe Lady Lucinda was simply kissed in the garden and tore her dress.”
“And your point is?”
“If she was . . . forced, then bringing her here to such a blatantly sexual place might not be the best idea. She might panic.”
Paul shoved a hand through his hair. “I’ve thought of that, but you don’t know her as well as I do, Ambrose. She is very strong, and she is also determined that I show her my true nature before she commits herself totally to this marriage. She insisted that I be honest”
“Is she pregnant? Is that why she is willing to agree to try anything?”
Paul felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. He fought for control before rising slowly to his feet. “She will be here in a moment. I’m going up to the main hall to meet her.”
“Be careful, Paul,” Ambrose said.
“I’ll do my best.” Paul nodded and went toward the door, his thoughts in a whirl. He hadn’t considered all the possible consequences of Lucky’s ordeal. Was Lucky even aware that she might have conceived? If she was, Ambrose might be right, and all her protestations of honesty might mean nothing. She had been protected all her life, so the thought of having a child out of wedlock would devastate her and thus her family.
More to the point, would he be able to welcome another man’s child into his life? At least he might give the dukedom an heir. Would Lucky be happy about that too?
By the time he reached the main hallway, he was no closer to knowing the answers. He intercepted one of the footmen who dealt with incoming guests and verified their membership.
“Jarvis, I’m expecting a lady. She will be wearing a dark brown cloak edged with fur, and she will ask for me by name. Send her into the first waiting room, will you? I’ll meet her there.”
“Certainly, sir.”
Paul went into the already warm room and took a couple of masks out of one of the drawers. It would be hard to conceal his identity when he was so well known at the pleasure house, but it was imperative that they concealed Lucky’s. The clock on the mantelpiece chimed nine times, and he started to pace the carpet.
He couldn’t ask Lucky if she was breeding. She might not even know herself. If he married her, he had to take on everything about her, even her child. It was little to ask in return for a dukedom and a life free of gossip and innuendo. He stared into the red heart of the fire. Sometimes he felt like he was being slowly smothered and that no one could hear his screams.
The door opened and Jarvis stepped inside,
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