Page 32 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

The others all seemed to take that as a signal to depart, as well. The ladies gathered their things and the gentlemen escorted them out the door; all the while Devon leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed.

Once the front door closed, Eugenia turned to him. “That departure was quite abrupt. Would you care for tea? I can ring for more since the pot has grown cold.”

He dropped his arms to his sides and strolled into the room. “No, my dear. I do not want tea. I want to know why I come home and find my wife entertaining scores of men.”

“Scores of men?” She flushed and raised her chin. “There were not scores of men, and in case you missed it, there were several women here as well.” Although she certainly wanted his attention, she did not want him terrorizing her guests. “Now if you will excuse me, I would like to rest in order to be fresh for this evening’s entertainment.” She brushed by him and was stopped by his words.

“Do not forget, Eugenia, I will be attending with you.”

She dipped her head in response and continued on upstairs, grinning to herself all the way.

The musicale was as awful as Devon had predicted. Eugenia had attended only because so few people did, and she felt the need to support the Montrose daughters who performed each year. They were lovely girls, and would hopefully find husbands soon and be busy producing heirs for their respective spouses.

“Did you enjoy the musicale, my dear?” Devon settled across from her in their carriage and tapped on the ceiling to notify the driver. “I found it not quite as noisy as other years.”

Eugenia smiled in the darkness, amused at Devon’s apt description of the evening’s entertainment. “I believe the youngest Montrose girl, Susan, has more of a gift for music than her two elder sisters.”

“I would hardly call anything coming from their efforts a ‘gift.’ More like a curse.”

“That is most unkind, Devon.” Unable to control the mirth in her voice, she added, “Not everyone has talents in the vocal area.”

“And those who do not should not be putting on a show for others to suffer through.”

“My, but we are grumpy this evening.” Her teasing tone must have affected him, because he smiled in her direction.

“Perhaps you are right, my dear.”

They were quiet for the rest of the ride home. Devon seemed uneasy, almost as if he had something on his mind, but was wrestling with whether to share it or not. Eugenia watched him from the corner of her eye. Yes, definitely somewhat fidgety. Certainly unlike his normal demeanor.

Once the carriage dropped them off, and they entered the house, Eugenia turned for the butler to remove her wrap and headed for the stairs. Her foot stopped on the first step at Devon’s low voice. “I intend to enjoy a nightcap, my dear. Would you care to join me?”

He’d only once before asked her to join him. He seemed to always enjoy his solitude when they’d returned from an event. Unless, as he sometimes did, he dropped her off and continued on to one of his clubs. Or his mistress.

“Yes. I believe I would enjoy a small drink, myself.”

She took his extended hand and, instead of wrapping her arm in his, he entwined their fingers and led her to the library.

…

It had been more than a week since he’d visited Eugenia’s bed, with the confusion he’d felt at his lustful attraction to her. But without the relief of a mistress, he would have to come to terms with his feelings and bed his wife.

He only wished his heart didn’t thump so loudly at the idea. He’d bedded her faithfully three times a week, Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, since their marriage. So why now did he feel as though he was taking her for the first time?

Once she was settled in the comfortable chair in front of the fireplace, he poured himself a brandy and a sherry for her. He offered her the glass.

“I would prefer a brandy.” She gazed up at him with moistened lips, and his blood raced to his groin as if the most skilled courtesan had beckoned him. He handed her his brandy and returned to the sidebar on shaky legs to pour another one for himself.

They sat in silence while they sipped their drinks, staring at the low fire. Having made up his mind, he said, “Eugenia?”

“Yes.” Lord, her voice was sultry. When had his well-ordered life begun to evaporate? The lust he felt now for this innocent, proper woman, was bringing him to his knees.

“Although this is Friday, I would like to visit you this evening.” The devil take it. Now he sounded like a stilted youth approaching his first whore.

She dipped

her head in acquiescence, and he swore he saw a slight smile of—something—on her lips. Satisfaction?

To his utter astonishment, she took one large swallow of her brandy and stood. “I will prepare myself.” With those words echoing in the cavern of the dark space, she turned and, with a swish of her skirts, left the room.