Selfishly, Louisa would not allow him that fantasy. “Lord Granborough.”
His voice was thick with sleep as he replied,“Hmm?”
“It’s me, Louisa,” she said, leaving nothing to chance. “Your wife.”
He shifted, though he did not push her away. “I should hope so. Who the devil else would it be?”
Smiling, she rested her cheek against his shoulder blade. His chest rose and fell with the rhythm of his breathing, and she felt his heart thumping beneath her palms. They lay together for a long moment, enjoying this new closeness.
His Lordship’s fingertips stroked hers. “Louisa…last night was out of character for me. I never overindulge. It’s what killed my father, and partly what ruined my family—too many years of gambling, drink, and woman.”
Why must he make her feel sorry for him when she had every right to be angry with him? He’d gotten drunk and misbehaved. He’d danced and dallied with a member of their party. He had humiliated her last night, and she worked very hard to forgive him.
There was a strain in his voice as he explained, “I couldn’t have taken the bank at Monte Carlo, you see. I never touch cards or dice.”
“You prefer to take your chances at the marriage altar, enjoying high stakes and higher standards.” He felt he’d been dealt a losing hand. “I’m sorry about your poor luck, my lord.”
“Why? You weren’t the one born to a wastrel father and a spendthrift mother. You needn’t have sold your inheritance off piecemeal to keep the bailiffs at bay.” Lord Granborough pressed onward, feeling safe enough in her arms to bare a little bit more of himself. “I haven’t a shilling that isn’t already spoken for.”
These were things she would have liked to know before she’d accepted his proposal. She might’ve understood him better!
She must have tensed, for he moved to stop her from pulling away.
“I apologize for being blunt.” Her husband put his clammy hand out, touching her. “You’re a good girl, Louisa. I am certain I don’t deserve you.”
For all his privilege, Lord Granborough hadn’t lived a happy life. He didn’t know the comfort of a loving family. Nobody offered him the safety and security that Louisa had taken for granted.
She’d learned something new about him, something honest and vulnerable—he rarely drank, never wagered, and feared bill collectors.
Had Pappa known about His lordship’s troubles when he’d negotiated their marriage settlement? Louisa had been given her own investments and a share in their generous allowance. This separation of finances protected her from the worst of Lord Granborough’s woes. Maybe Pappa hoped that, delivered from whatever destitution her husband had suffered through, he would rise to be a better man.
Everybody deserved a chance at a better life.
Heartened by another rare glimpse behind the curtain, Louisa felt determined to save her marriage. Lord Granboroughwouldbe a good spouse, provided she built a firm foundation for him to find his feet. She’d never give up on him and was determined to fight for her husband and her happiness.
Louisa reluctantly untangled her arms from his. She was loath to leave him, half-dressed and drowsy in their bed, but there were things she hoped to accomplish before that night.
“I’m going out,” she said, tucking him beneath the covers. “Shall I ring for breakfast?”
A sheen of perspiration dampened his brow. Food was the last thing he wanted. “Feed yourself, if you wish, but let me sleep.”
She smoothed his hair back and massaged his throbbing temples. “Serves you right for over-drinking, but I won’t scold you too much.”
His incapacitation had broken down some of the barriers in their relationship. They’d been honest with each other—though unfortunately, it had taken alcohol to loosen his tongue. Louisa had enjoyed their physical closeness and the gentle brushes of intimacy that had passed between them.
“I’ll check on you after my lunch with Mrs. Waldo.”
First, she had a fight to win.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The purser’s assistant gave Louisa the information she sought. He directed her downstairs to the lowest level of first-class accommodations. The majority of cabins were located on the saloon deck, and Her Ladyship would find Madame de Roubernon’s berth past the forward staircase on the port side of the ship.
Louisa steeled her spine for their confrontation. Thanks to Mr. Perry’s drunken admission, she now understood the concept of an ‘open marriage’, of doing one’s duty while finding pleasure elsewhere. Madame de Roubernon—so worldly and wise—had taken advantage of Louisa’s naivety. The sophisticated Frenchwoman likely enjoyed an understanding, aristocratic marriage of her own, and viewed the Marquess of Granborough as fair game.
Louisa had no intention of stepping aside and allowing another woman to make love toherhusband. She would put her foot down, nip this flirtation in the bud, and remind everybody onboardCampaniathat regardless of society’s custom, Lord and Lady Granborough did not have a marriage of convenience.
Their union had been hard-won, and Louisa refused to give him up without a fight.
