Snapping the stem of the daisy still in her hands, Purity tossed it down. She wasn’t naïve enough to mistake their nightlypassion for anything but lust. He had been participating in precisely the same for his entire adult life and had told her with frankness that he had never loved any one of the women he’d bedded.
Sadly, he hadn’t said he was making an exception for her.
Any day, she might discover she was carrying his child, yet instead of that making her joyful, it caused her to worry.Once he had the necessary heir to the barony, then what?
What if Matthew’s infatuation with her cooled? If he was withholding his heart, then heartbreak would surely follow. She feared Lord and Lady Fenwick had something they did not. For that ancient couple could hardly be expected to tup every night, yet their love shone whenever they were near one another.
Moreover, they’d put off their wedding trip to Scotland because of a spate of exceedingly rainy weather followed by Diana being indisposed.
“She has merely caught a mild cold, my lady,” said Mrs. Caldwell when Purity grew alarmed. “Don’t fret.”
Now their little girl was well, yet neither of them had mentioned the long trek to Edinburgh.Didn’t Matthew want to introduce her to his mother?
Thus, when the demon of her agitated thoughts poked his head around the open doorway, dressed to go out, her stomach clenched.
After seeing what she was doing, he merely nodded and winked. “I shall be back anon.”
“Where are you going?” Purity bit her tongue as soon as the words were out. She sounded possessive and jealous, especially when her voice caught in her throat.
“To my club. Quinn said he hasn’t seen me in a donkey’s age. I won’t stay long.”
“That’s all right,” she said, rising to her feet. “Stay out as long as you like. I plan to read a story to Diana and then take a bath.”
At her tone, he cocked his head, frowning a little, then he entered the room.
“Careful,” she warned. “Don’t step on them.”
He surveyed the flowers. “It appears you’ve already waltzed atop them and done enough damage without my help.”
He was teasing but having him point out her failure nearly made her cry. She stared at the floor, unable to meet his gaze because of the foolish tears stinging her eyes.
“Kitten,” he said, “look at me.”
She shrugged and glanced at his waistcoat.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
Everything!she thought. “No, nothing. What could be wrong?”
His gloved finger under her chin made her look at him.
“Kitten,” he repeated when he looked into her eyes. “Tell me.”
“Nothing, I assure you. Just ... just ... Clarity would have these flowers looking gorgeous by now. She has a talent for it.”
“Don’t worry about that.” He drew her into his arms, which only served to make a tear spill out and down her cheek. “I’ll buy you more, I promise. You can practice, just like you did when you were a youngster learning the piano. You’ll soon surpass any other lady in London with your floral designs.”
She shrugged again.
“I won’t go out if you wish for me to stay home,” he vowed. “I’ll gladly listen to you read and be even happier to watch you bathe.”
A small laugh escaped her lips. Everything was fine. He was attentive and caring. He wasn’t going out to meet a woman. If he was, he wouldn’t have offered to stay. He ought to go spend time with his friend. After all, he had no family. While she spent many a morning with her mother or one or more of her sisters, he had no one but her and Diana.
It was merely the stress of settling into her new life, that was all. She didn’t want her husband to think her needy.
“Of course not. I am being silly. Go to your club and enjoy yourself. I insist. I shall be awake when you return.”
He took her face between his palms. “I am looking forward to it.” Then he claimed her mouth in a way she imagined only a lover could do — if only she didn’t already know he’d done the same with many others.
