His Perfect Bride (28 page)

“Of course we will return to London to call upon your family. On occasion, we can invite them to Stonemede to visit us as well.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice still thick with sadness. “Mother was beside herself with pleasure for this union, but Grace could not contain her grief at my departure.”

“I know this is a difficult transition for you and your family.” He turned her face to his. Unshed tears glistened in her eyes and wrenched his heart. “Grace will soon accustom herself to the new circumstances, but I have an idea of what might help. Would it please you to host a small gathering at Stonemede in a month’s time? I imagine your family would be happy to make the journey.”

“You truly would not mind?”

“I wish for you to be happy.”

The carriage rumbled along as Richard fought the urge to take her into his arms and kiss her, but he didn’t want to move and ruin the moment. However, when his gaze dropped to her mouth and he saw her lips part, he inwardly rejoiced.

Lost in thoughts of her, he nearly jumped at the sound of knocking on the carriage door. They had arrived at his townhouse. Their moment would have to wait, but it would only be temporary. He had no intention of denying himself the pleasure of his wife for long.

After assisting her from the carriage, he swept Brianna into his arms and carried her over the threshold. He fought the temptation to continue on until they were in his bedchamber. Since the staff was lined up for presentation to their new mistress, he grudgingly lowered her to her feet.

“My lady, on behalf of myself and the staff, I would like to welcome you to Carrack House,” Hopkins said in his stately voice. “I’m Hopkins, and this is Mrs. Milley, the housekeeper.”

“Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Brianna replied.

“Allow me to present the rest of the staff.” Mrs. Milley inclined her head as she took over the introductions.

As they traveled down the line, Richard found himself pleased with his bride. Brianna’s manners were impeccable. She spoke with each person and repeated their name, as if committing it to memory. The smiles he saw collectively on everyone’s faces brought him comfort. Their approval meant they would serve Brianna as faithfully as they had him.

“I would like to thank you all again for your warm welcome. I’m looking forward to being part of your house,” Brianna announced with a genuine smile once the introductions were concluded.

“I, too, am pleased by your showing,” Richard added, then turned to Brianna and lowered his voice slightly. “It has been a very long day. Would you care to retire?” He wanted to laugh out loud at her charming blush.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Hopkins, we will require a dinner tray brought up. Other than that, we will not have need of anything else this evening.”

“Very good, my lord.” Hopkins bowed then turned, calling out orders for the staff to return to their duties. Richard hoped their departure would help ease some of Brianna’s embarrassment.

“Shall we?” Richard asked, extending his arm to her.

With a small smile, she placed her arm atop his, and they made their way up the stairs. Forgoing taking her to the marchioness’ chambers, he directed her straight to his bedchamber. He could feel his anticipation mounting with each passing step, but he held himself back to accommodate Brianna’s slow pace.

Once alone, he bolted the door and let out a sigh of relief. When he turned, he found her standing in the middle of the room, her face turned away from him, and she was biting her lower lip. In addition, her hands were intertwined so tightly, her knuckles went white.

“Are you nervous?” he asked, his voice incredulous as he watched her closely. “The woman who twice entered my bedchamber to seduce me can’t be nervous about spending the night with her husband.”

“I’m not exactly nervous. I’m simply . . . I don’t know. This feels different, I suppose.”

“There is no reason to rush anything. Unlike the other instances, tonight we have all the time in the world,” he promised, untying his cravat. “Would you prefer to talk first?”

“Yes,” she replied, visibly relaxing. “I would like that very much.”

He tossed his cravat, along with his coat, onto the back of a nearby chair. When he began unbuttoning his waistcoat, he noticed Brianna’s eyes following his fingers. He allowed the garment to slide from his body before he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall.

“I do have a question for you. What exactly were you told to expect tonight?” To his surprise, his question was met by her beautiful laughter.

“It was only one of the most uncomfortable conversations I have ever endured. My mother began by informing me I now have a ‘wifely duty’ I must attend to,” she explained, then pressed her lips together and lowered her eyelashes.

“Surely you were told more than that.”

“I’m not certain I should be telling you of these things. There are reasons why they don’t allow the men to be present for these talks.”

“Of that, I’m certain.” He pushed himself from the wall and sauntered toward her. “However, since I’m your husband, you are allowed to tell me.”

She seemed to consider her options. “Well, I suppose there is no harm. It was a drawn out discussion between the women, but basically I was told how the process is accomplished, physically.”

“That makes sense. What else did they say?”

“That it would not be pleasant. My aunt told me I should just lie still and pray it was over quickly.”

“You are jesting,” Richard asserted, unable to believe otherwise.

“I’m not.”

“All the women could not possibly agree on that point.”

“If they felt differently, they didn’t speak up. Although my mother did pull me aside after the other ladies departed. She told me over time it may become more pleasant, but there was no guarantee.”

“I can’t believe those ladies are spreading such rubbish. Although I do know of some men who are inconsiderate, I know just as many who are the opposite.”

“Well, I can’t be one to judge either way as I have never experienced the act with my husband. Perhaps the encounter is different for a wife,” she challenged him. Her lifted eyebrow and slight smile forced the blood to pump wildly through his veins. Taking a deep breath, he compelled himself to remain calm.

“You are right,” he acceded in mock thoughtfulness as he rubbed his chin. “It might be different between a husband and a wife.”

“I suppose there is only one way to find out.” She held her arms out to him.

Without needing further encouragement, Richard swept her into his arms and took her lips. He then proceeded to show her the only difference would prove to be more pleasant rather than not.

Brianna stomped her foot in frustration. Why did Richard keep doing this to her? It had been three weeks since their arrival at Stonemede, and she was becoming increasingly irritated with her husband.

“I told you, Martin, Lord Stonemede will have no complaint with me taking the wagon. I will not be going far. I only wish to see the seamstress.” Brianna kept her teeth locked into place in an attempt to keep the agitation from her voice.

Her gowns were becoming too tight, and she wished to select a more suitable material to ensure her comfort at the upcoming house party. The seamstress offered to visit her at Stonemede, but Brianna longed for an opportunity to escape the place.

“I’m sorry, my lady, but the master gave me very specific instructions. You will have to take this up with him.”

“Believe me, I will,” she promised, glaring at him before marching into the manor.

So tired of being denied, she was ready to scream. Every night, Richard was a wonderful, attentive husband, but the day posed a problem for her as he became overbearing and overprotective. She had no escape, for the entire staff had been instructed by her husband to disallow her from doing anything or going anywhere without Richard by her side.

Considering she was with child, she would never do anything dangerous. The thought he would believe otherwise only served to infuriate her further. Her requests were reasonable. A solitary stroll through the garden or a ride across the estate could cause no harm.

Her unhappy state made it difficult for her to paint. Upon their arrival at Stonemede, Richard had surprised her with a room dedicated to her painting as well as time set aside each day for her to lose herself within her craft. Unfortunately, in the confines of the house, or with the distracting outings with Richard, she could not find any inspiration. The lack of visual motivation did nothing to improve her mood, which came across on the canvas.

The daily duties of the marchioness were not as demanding as she had expected, and Richard never required anything extraordinary of her. Overall, she would be content, maybe even happy with her new life, if he would grant her more freedom.

“Harris, where is Lord Stonemede?” Brianna demanded once inside the manor.

Her agitation seeped into her words, and Harris hesitated before answering. “Perhaps my lady would care to wait in the drawing room while I collect him for you. I can have Mrs. Evans bring you some tea and refreshments.”

“That isn’t necessary. I wish to see him now.”

“Yes, my lady. Please follow me. He is working in his study,” Harris admitted grudgingly.

“Thank you, but I can show myself there.” With a nod, she turned and started in the direction of the study. Although she understood Harris’s, as well as the other staff members’ loyalty to Richard, she felt as though everyone conspired against her. She being the newest member of the household, would have to work harder to prove herself worthy of their allegiance, but it would not be easily accomplished with Richard undermining her at every chance.

At the door of the study, Brianna didn’t bother to knock. Still infused with anger, she pushed open the door and stalked inside. Richard and his steward stood over his desk pointing at some papers, but both men looked up at her unannounced entrance.

“Lord Stonemede,” she forced through clenched teeth. “I believe you and I need to talk.”

“Perhaps we can speak later?”

Her eyes widened in fury. She refused to be put off. Expending every effort to not explode, she shook her head. If she opened her mouth, she would not be able to contain the onslaught, and she didn’t wish the steward to be present for what she had to say to her husband.

“Very well.” Richard sighed before turning to the man. “We can continue this later.”

“Yes, my lord.” The steward bowed and quickly fled the room. If she had not been so incensed, his speed would have been comical.

“This isn’t fair! I will not stand for it any longer.”

“Obviously something is troubling you, but you must be more specific if you wish for me to aid you,” Richard replied, calmly sitting behind his desk. By his composed demeanor, she imagined he knew exactly what she was talking about, but for some reason he was not admitting to it. Why did he insist on being so difficult?

“I’m tired of being denied.”

“I didn’t realize I was denying you anything, for you always seem so satisfied in the mornings.” Richard’s smug smile made her want to slap him.

“As you know, the rejection I’m referring to has nothing to do with anything occurring during the night,” she snapped back, not appreciating his attempt to distract her. “I’m beginning to believe you would prefer to lock me up in a room. That way you could open it when you feel like dealing with me.”

“Don’t be absurd. You misunderstand my intention. I only wish to protect you and our child.”

“How could allowing me to have occasional use of the carriage or wagon harm me or our child?”

“When traipsing around the countryside, you have no idea what could happen to you both physically and socially.”

“You don’t trust me to have a care for my reputation? I would never attempt anything that would besmirch my name, or yours for that matter.”

“Regardless”—he dismissively waved his hand—“I will not refuse you any safe and secured activities, which will have no impact on your reputation.”

“By ‘safe and secured’ you mean you have to be by my side for these mentioned activities, am I correct?”

“Naturally. My being there is a large part of how I intend to keep you safe.”

“I can agree that is necessary if I were to leave Stonemede, but I’m perfectly fine on the estate. The garden and the local shops—”

“No. In London, Kirkwood reached out to you in your own home. Before that, he attempted to take you in a crowded ballroom.” Richard’s voice rose, and Brianna knew she was pushing him, but she could not help herself.

“Lord Kirkwood is no longer a threat, and we are no longer in London. Please, I’m not asking for much.”

“My answer has not changed. You will not go anywhere outside of this manor without my accompaniment, and that is final,” Richard bellowed. His eyes, full of anger, and his tight lips told her he would not budge, at least not for now. She simply needed an opportunity to show him she would be safe.

“All right. Have the wagon readied.
We
will be leaving in an hour,” she informed him, then turned and left the room before he could argue. If he were going to be stubborn about it, she would have to go about convincing him a different way.

Watching from the window, she saw Harris giving Martin the order, and she silently rejoiced, knowing Richard had finally listened to her. Martin didn’t waste much time and brought the wagon around quickly. Luckily the mare set to drive the wagon was sweet with a soft mouth. Brianna had no doubt she could handle her.

With the wagon fully hitched and Martin was the only one about, Brianna quickly made her way outside. The groom eyed her warily as she approached. Giving him a cheery smile, she stopped far enough away from the wagon to not give away her intent.

“Did you receive Lord Stonemede’s request?”

“Yes, I have already readied the wagon as he asked,” he explained, tilting his head sideways.