“I feared that if anyone learned that it would reflect poorly on my sisters. Their futures should not be ruined because of the foolish actions of others.”
“Widows taking a lover is not truly frowned upon.”
“It still draws attention and I would rather that my family did nothing that invited comment, no matter how innocent or acceptable.”
It was becoming more and more clear why the woman he had met in London differed from the Lavinia he was coming to know at the cottage.
She had said that her life had been duty, and one that she had not shirked and it saddened him that she would likely close herself off again once the Season began.
This cottage, here and now, was likely the only time that she would ever ask for something for herself.
Yes, she had explained that to him before, but Demetrius had not truly understood it until now.
“Tell me about your husband, or your marriage.” He was most curious about the now deceased Marquess of Teviot. If that man had only kissed his wife once, what else had he failed to do? Though, Demetrius already had a very good idea.
“My marriage, I suppose, was no different than many marriages of duty.”
She shrugged.
“Even those marriages share more than one kiss.”
“My husband did not like to be touched, nor did he like touching others,” she answered.
“It saddens me that there was no tenderness and affection between you and your husband.”
“It was not necessary.”
“Yes, but to endure his attention, which is how I assume you approached the matter, so often, could not have been pleasant.”
She chuckled. “It was not so often. Maybe four or six times a year.”
“A year? Not a month, but a year?”
“Yes.”
Bloody hell! What had been wrong with Teviot. Whether he liked being touched or not, a man should want to visit his wife’s bed more than that. “Did he not require an heir?”
“He did.”
For the longest time she said nothing and he assumed she had nothing further to add, or perhaps it was too personal to be voiced.
“You do not need to tell me anything if you don’t wish to.”
“My husband did not want me.”
He nearly choked on his brandy. Had the Marquess of Teviot been blind or dead already?
“Not only did my husband forget that he had a wife, but he also had to be reminded that he needed an heir and to visit my bed. His mother would inquire if I was increasing yet. When I said that I was not, she’d practically glare at her son.”
“Good God!”
“My husband would then drink more whisky then normal, visit my bed and I think tried to give me pleasure, which I certainly never experienced, gave up, did what was necessary then let me be.”
All he could do was stare at her.
“He would then be locked away in his sleeping chamber for at least a few days because of the anxiety he suffered from having to be in physical contact with me. Such was my marriage.”
Lavinia lifted her glass of brandy and took a deep drink. “The next morning, his mother would always ask if he had done his duty.”
