Their marriage was going to require more than a little compromise on both sides. As he was already so near Summer’s Park, he decided he would stay the night and then ride, hounds for horses, and return to her. Several clouds had gathered on the horizon and the evening looked to be a stormy one. Yes, he would take shelter from the weather, rest for the night, and then return to his wife.
* * *
Neither Cortland nor the duchess were pleased to see him. Penelope and the duchess corresponded regularly. He was certain Lilly would have sent him packing if it hadn’t already begun raining.
Cortland knew him though. He knew that there must be more to Hugh’s absence from his wife at such a time than met the eye. After a slightly uncomfortable dinner, Lilly excused herself so the men could take their port.
Cortland opened the touchy subject first. “Out with it, Hugh. What transpired between you and Miss Crone—pardon me, Lady Danbury?”
His wife. His countess.
Hugh ran a hand through his hair and took a long sip of the sweet aromatic liquid. He’d not really thought through exactly what he would tell his old friend. So, he decided to ask a question instead. “How did you come to trust Lilly again, after?”
Lilly had married another man, even though she had led Cortland to believe she would betroth herself to him. At one of the very worst times in Michael’s life, she’d abandoned him.
It had been astonishing, really, because he’d just inherited a dukedom. But in order to do so, he’d lost both his father and older brother.
Cortland looked at him levelly before answering. “The question you ought to ask is how did she ever come to trust me again? It was I who inadvertently had failed her. There were circumstances I’d have never believed, if I’d been told at the time. All I knew was that she’d married another.” He took a sip of his own port. “At the time, she believed the worst of me, as well. Both of us were wrong. Neither of us had enough faith in the other, in our new and immature love, in order to trust at the time.
“When we met again, it all came out. I only thank God that she saw fit to believe that I hadn’t wantonly abandoned her. What happened, Hugh? What is it that you believe Penelope has done? Or does she believe you’ve been unfaithful in some way?”
Ah, how to answer that one. A footman moved about the room quietly, gathering used dishes and silverware.
“Let’s retire to the study, shall we? Lilly has informed me that she is going to spend the rest of the evening with little Edward.”
Hugh nodded and the two of them proceeded out of the dining room. This was most definitelynotsomething he would discuss with anyone in front of servants.
When they entered the study, the familiarity of it comforted him. He’d spent many an hour secluded in this room with Cortland, discussing business, politics, and of course, women. Michael Redmond, the Duke of Cortland, had not lived such a dissolute life as Hugh, but there had been a few long-term mistresses after things fell apart with Lilly that first time. They’d had quite the evening the night of the little marquess’ birth. They had, indeed, put one on.
It was amazing Cortland had been able to rouse himself in order to go to his wife and newborn son.
Upon further consideration, perhaps it had been Hugh, more than Cortland, who had done most of the drinking. He remembered now, that he’d been feeling the pressure of his responsibilities more so at the time. He’d been preparing to tackle Augusta Heights.
He dropped into his favorite chair, and Michael handed him a tumbler of scotch. A few ice cubes floated in the glass.
“I’ve never tasted scotch before.”Penelope’s voice rang around in his head.
He took a sip of the amber liquid and relished the flavor as it warmed his throat, chest, and gut.
“We ought to celebrate, don’t you think?”
Again, it was Penelope’s voice. He remembered now, the dream he’d had, a faint memory. He’d dismissed it, of course, for the very thought had been preposterous at the time. But now…
He glanced over at the long leather settee.
“Touch me, Hugh.”
“You’re so wet, so ready for me.”
The sensual imagery struck him like the shock of a nearby explosion.
He’d lain on top of her.
In all the times since their marriage, he had never made love to her in the traditional, missionary position. In his dream, he had.
His body went momentarily numb as his heart seemed to skip a beat. Good God, it hadn’t been a dream!
Lightning flashed, and a loud crack of thunder followed within the blink of an eye. The storm was directly over them.
