An Undomesticated Wife (27 page)

Giving him one of her favorite smiles, she began to prattle about the latest word among the Polite World. She did not tell him that Major Cook had been very good about bringing her every bit of poker-talk.

She finished the tale of a spinster who was hoping for a match with a viscount who was full of juice and began a second story. “Mrs. Reilly was certain that Lady—”

“Enough!”

“Enough?”

Marcus stood and strode toward the door. “I have taken too much of your time today when I came only to tell you that I regret, Jocelyn, that I shall not be calling again.”

“You want-witted widgeon,” she chided softly as she sat straighter with a whisper of silk. “I did not think you would be so foolish as to let a woman like her twist you with her unfeminine wiles.”

“Unfeminine? Regina?” He laughed. “How can I think her unfeminine when her loveliness lights my dreams? There is something enticing about being with a woman who loves me.” His laugh faded as he added to himself, “Or she did.”

Jocelyn slid off the bed and sighed as she put her hand on his arm. “I think she has made you quite queer in the attic if you have come to believe that. By all that's blue, Marcus, how many times have you told me that the woman has no idea how to take care of Attleby Court or of you?”

He bent to kiss her cheek. “My sweet Jocelyn, you are only half right, and, if I can be honest, I must say that I have come to care little that she knows nothing about managing a household. What she knows about being my wife is more than enough for me.”

“You love her!” Distaste rang through her voice.

“I suppose I must. Otherwise, there would be no explaining this call.” He smiled as he glanced around the room. “You see, my dear Jocelyn, Regina has been the only one in my life to deny me what I thought I wanted. My father was always too enraptured by his own life to be bothered with his son; he found it easiest to give me everything I demanded. Grandmother doted on her only grandson as well, although she expected to be a part of my life. And you, my sweet one—”

Her perfect brows arched. “I hope you do not think to say that I would do whatever you wished simply because you asked.”

“But you did.” Leaning his shoulder on the door, he laughed. “Oh, you gave some token resistance before you succumbed, but that was part of the excitement of winning you from your brave captain.”

She rose and walked her fingers up his arm. “I never thought he would take a maggot in his head and meet you on the dueling green. He was probably the worst shot I have ever seen.”

“Fortunately for me. I have been lucky twice.”

“Twice?”

He shook his head. If he told Jocelyn how Regina had been ready to give up everything to save him, the story would soon be spread throughout the
élite
. He did not want that to happen … at least until he had a chance to set things aright with Regina. If that was still possible.

Again he kissed her cheek and took a final whiff of her perfume. It was like a distant memory: pleasant, but nothing more. “Goodbye, Jocelyn.”

“Marcus?”

She gripped the edge of the door. “Without you, I—”

“I understand Major Cook has a fine house in Soho Square.”

“You knew?”

He chuckled. “Nothing stays secret among the
ton
, my dear. In fact, I've already spoken with my solicitor about cutting off your allowance. I had hoped to speak with you on that very matter, too, but when I finally had the time two nights ago, finding my wife here put the thought of you and your major right out of my mind.” He took his hat from her footman. “Feel free to take whatever you wish with you, Jocelyn. I understand Cook's house is somewhat austere.”

When he saw her smile, he knew that the major was due for some adjustments in his life. As was Marcus Whyte, he reminded himself as he hurried down the stairs.

If it was not already too late.

“No!” said the dowager duchess with a sigh. “My dear child, you are not concentrating!”

Regina began, “But, Your Grace—”

“Why don't you call me ‘Grandmother' as Marcus does?”

Smiling she said, “Thank you. But, Grandmother, this is all so confusing.”

The dowager duchess looked from the lists in her hand to Elayne, who was propped, wrapped in a blanket with a glass of brandy close at hand, on a settee on the other side of the sitting room. “Elayne, I despair at ever teaching this child anything.”

“Explain it again,” Regina urged. “I did learn how to make up a shopping list with the cook. Surely I can learn how to give the housekeeper a list of tasks for the maids.”

“Incredible!” Marcus walked into the room, handing his hat to Gardner. “Are my ears deceiving me? Are you speaking of wifely things, Regina?”

Her cheeks flushed a flattering shade of rose, but she held her head high. “I thought I would learn a few things about managing this house, so I would not shame you any longer.”

He took her hands in his, not noticing that the dowager duchess had come to her feet and was leading Miss Morrissey out of the room. He did not want to look anywhere but into his wife's eyes. Sitting beside her on the settee, he said, “You would never shame me, Regina.”

“I did when I danced with Benjamin before I danced with you at that party.”

“You infuriated me. You didn't shame me.” He put his finger under her chin and did not let her eyes evade his. “I was jealous, so jealous that I could not bear to see you even talk to him. At one time I thought he would have been the perfect husband for you.”

She shook her head as she trembled. “No. Don't even say that.”

“How would you have known that he was a traitor? You might have married him if he had asked.”

“He did.”

Marcus's fingers tightened around hers until she winced. Loosening his grip, he gasped, “He did? When?”

“When I was twelve.” She smiled swiftly, then added, “But don't speak of him, I beg you.”

“Then shall I speak of you?” He picked up a page off the stack the dowager duchess had set on the table. “This is very unexpected.”

“I spent half the night awake last night. I realized I was ready to give my very life to you, but I refused to make a single change.” The warm rose returned to her cheeks. “I doubt if I ever shall be a good housewife, Marcus, but I would like to try because I love you.”

“Changing is not a bad thing.” He ran his finger along her chin, bringing her lips toward his. “I have made a few changes, too. You should be pleased to know that Jocelyn has found a new lover.”

She gasped, “You shall not call on her anymore?”

“Why should I when I have the perfect wife here?” He kissed her slowly and with every bit of yearning he had for her. “And to own the truth, I cannot imagine loving anyone as I love you.”

“Even our child?”

“Our child?” he gasped.

She smiled shyly. “I am carrying your heir here beneath my heart.” She drew his hand over her still-flat abdomen. “Mayhap it is a son.”

“Or a daughter, who will grow up to be as undomesticated as her mother.” He stood and lifted her into his arms. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, he said with a roguish smile, “I can think of but one way to celebrate such good tidings.”

Her laugh disappeared as his mouth claimed hers, then he carried her toward the stairs and the bed that they would share for the rest of their lives.

Neither of them noticed the dowager duchess standing at the opposite end of the hall. “Didn't I tell them?” she asked no one in particular. “It will be one of the great marriages of all times. Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me?”

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 1994 by Jo Ann Ferguson

Cover design by Neil Alexander Heacox

ISBN: 978-1-5040-0908-9

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