Page 34 of The Lady’s Great Escape

Chapter Thirteen

One of the things Kit most looked forward to in having a wife were those lazy moments after sex. The binds of marriage would grant him the freedom to spend as long as he wanted with his wife in their bedroom without the threat of scandal.

Generally, women were quick to send a man on his way after they had received their pleasure so they wouldn’t be caught together. And when they weren’t, he was the one who was eager to go.

But no one had ever been Celia. Being friends, they could lie next to each other and talk and laugh in the same manner they did at the breakfast table each morning. Though unlike their breakfasts he was able to feast on her nakedness instead of a rasher of bacon.

Unfortunately, the concern of being caught together eventually slithered in. Made worse by who exactly might catch them. He had a friendship at stake if they were found together.

There was an unspoken rule among men that one didn’t dally with a friend’s sister. For the most part that generally pertained to younger sisters, not older widows, but still, the rule was clear.

He didn’t want to leave her, but he couldn’t stay. With a sigh, he kissed her quickly. “I must go. Gray will return soon. If he catches me with you, I don’t think he’d even bother with meeting me in the park, he’d just shoot me dead where I stand.”

“Ridiculous. Shouldn’t I have a say in what I do in my bed?” She stood and tugged up her chemise.

He was momentarily distracted by the sight but forced himself to continue. “Yes. Except your bed, I might point out, is in his home.”

“I suppose reminding him he’d never have afforded to keep his home if not for my marrying Hamlin wouldn’t serve to aid my case?”

“Probably not. He’s a brother after all. While I don’t know what that is like myself, I know the man takes the job quite seriously.”

She had stopped moving and was standing there holding her dress.

“What is it?”

“I must ask for your discretion and not just with Gray.”

“Of course. I would never tell any of my friends, they would just use the information as leverage and threaten to tell Gray if I didn’t do their bidding.”

She shook her head. “No. Not just that we were together, but that I was… a virgin.”

He tilted his head, not understanding why that would be a dishonorable thing in comparison to sleeping with a complete stranger.

“As I said earlier, Edward—Lord Hamlin—has made threats to my settlement. He’s certain my marriage to Arthur was not consummated, making the contract void. As you are well aware, he is correct, but Arthur wanted me to have that money regardless of what happened or rather didn’t happen on our wedding night.”

“What happens between a man and his wife is private. How does he plan to prove such a thing?” He frowned when he remembered her mention of an examination.

Kit felt his face heat with fury as his hands tightened into fists. “He thinks to bring such a thing before the Lords and have you forced into such an indignity? I’ll not have it. I’ll tell him you were knowledgeable about such things when I took you to my bed.”

“You can’t do that either, not just because it is a lie, but because my reputation would be ruined if the entire House of Lords knew I slept with you at Lady Harrington’s party.”

“Celia, you cannot have it both ways. You can’t plan to take random lovers and keep a pristine reputation.”

“Most of society will happily look the other way so long as it’s not spoken of. Widows are expected to have a bit of fun, they must keep the details private.”

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“Nothing. I doubt anything will come of it. Edward will realize it is dishonorable to call a lady’s honor to question and give up.”

“Your brother once mentioned the size of your settlement. Depending on Edward’s situation, I doubt he will be eager to give up as easily as you hope.”

Celia let out a breath and shook her head. “If it comes to it and an examination is required, I’ll not be found a virgin.”

“The man should rot. You need to tell Gray.”

“No. You know how he will react. As you just said, he takes his job of protector much too seriously.”

“It is his duty.”