Until You (31 page)

When Ashleigh finally managed to stop laughing at the vivid mental image that Alex's narrative had conjured up, she wiped the tears from her eyes and looked to Brendon to see if he would confirm the ridiculous tale.  He merely nodded his head in affirmation; still too busy laughing to respond verbally. 

Even Nicholas couldn't contain a slight smile at the absurd anecdote, even though he deliberately sought to hide it behind his dinner napkin.  Ashleigh noticed however, and her spirits rose even more.

Madeline glanced around the table and shook her head at the four young people in mock censure, although, her lips twitched tellingly and her eyes held an unmistakable twinkle she couldn’t fully disguise.

Throughout the remainder of the meal, Nicholas sat at the head of the table and drank decidedly more than he ate.  His participation in the dinner conversation was minimal, his gaze constantly drifting between his brother, his best friend and his wife.  Each time she laughed at something Alex or Brendon said, smiling in genuine amusement, Nicholas' jaw clenched a little tighter and his frown became a bit more pronounced.  He told himself that he was annoyed because Alex and his brother were displaying an inordinate amount of affection toward a woman who for all intents and purposes had cleverly maneuvered herself first, into his home, and then into the position of his duchess. 

What he refused to admit was that his feelings were bordering on the edge of jealousy.  For to admit that, would be to acknowledge that Ashleigh had gained the power to affect him on an emotional level, a power that he had sworn no woman would ever hold over him again. 

As soon as Annie had finished assisting Ashleigh out of her wedding dress, she left, leaving her alone in her new room, for her things had been moved into the chamber adjoining Nicholas’ earlier in the day.  Quickly she donned a white satin nightdress trimmed with lace and then slipped on a matching dressing gown.
 
Uneasy, she brushed her hair until it gleamed and then moved to sit in a chair near the fire to stop her restless pacing. 

She knew that if Nicholas came to her room that night, she wouldn’t send him away.  In spite of everything, in spite of the rational part of her brain that told her she was a fool, she wanted to believe what Brendon had said. 
“He cares about you, a great deal more than he is willing to admit, even to himself.”
  She waited for over an hour in nervous apprehension, wondering if he would make an appearance, but her wait was for naught.  

Hours later, lying awake in her bed, she heard him enter his bedchamber.  Listening carefully to the movements next door, she waited with bated breath and one final glimmer of hope to see if Nicholas would knock upon the door that connected their two rooms, but eventually all grew quiet and she knew that he had gone to sleep.  She was far more disappointed than she cared to acknowledge.

Nicholas had deliberately remained downstairs long after everyone else had retired for the night; for now that Ashleigh was his wife he knew that he had every right to take her to bed.  While a part of his mind told him that he may as well reap at least some benefit from his forced union, the other more sensible part, balked at the notion.  Despite his overwhelming desire to reacquaint himself with Ashleigh’s luscious body, he knew it would be a mistake.  Sexual intimacy would only risk pulling him further into her seductive web, and that was a risk he wouldn't allow himself to take.  He needed to remain detached.  Only fools and idiots didn’t learn from their past mistakes, and he was neither.

Let go of the past
, Brendon had said.  If only it were that easy.

Over the next several nights, it became glaringly apparent to Ashleigh that Nicholas had no intention of seeking out her bed and claiming his marital rights.  She tried to convince herself that she didn't care, but in truth she was hurt.  They were legally wed and she already carried his child, as such, there was no longer any reason for him to stay away from her, for she could hardly entrap him any more so than she already had.  As he had nothing left to fear in that regard, it was apparent that it was simply a lack of desire that kept him from her bed.  He didn’t want her.

In the days following the wedding, Ashleigh saw very little of Nicholas.  Throughout the day he was kept busy by numerous estate matters, such as going over the household accounts and settling those domestic disputes that Madeline and Ashleigh couldn’t, and there were many with such a large staff, not to mention the number of other individuals he employed throughout the region.  He also had to confer with his numerous estate managers on a regular basis and was often called upon to ride out to check on his various holdings, often times not returning until late in the evening.  He rarely took his meals with the family, and when he did, he and Ashleigh's minimal attempts at conversation were often strained and awkward.  It was a great relief to have both Madeline and Brendon there to help ease the tension. 

However, much to Ashleigh's dismay, a few days later Brendon informed the family that he would soon be returning to sea.  He planned to be away for several months, but promised to return in time for the birth of his eagerly awaited niece or nephew.   

It was a teary farewell that Brendon received a week later, as Ashleigh and Madeline enveloped him in affectionate hugs, all the while admonishing him to be careful and write home as often as possible. 

Watching as Brendon mounted his horse and then rode off in the direction of London to round up his crew, Ashleigh placed her arm around Madeline's shoulders, giving her a light squeeze as they turned back toward the house.  “I have invited Tiffany to tea this afternoon, I hope you don't mind,” Ashleigh said, as they made their way into the front foyer.

“Of course not darling,” she responded, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair back into place.  “I have to pay a visit to Lady Fairmont later today, so I am glad that you will have
someone
to keep you company.”

Nicholas didn’t miss his grandmother’s subtle rebuke as he followed them to the house, but he chose to ignore it.

When Tiffany arrived later that day, Ashleigh was prepared to tell her everything, unfortunately however, their dutiful butler unwittingly revealed the most significant occurrence before Ashleigh had the opportunity to do it herself.  

“Hawthorne, could you please have tea sent to my sitting room,” Ashleigh asked politely, as she led Tiffany toward the stairs.

“Of course, Your Grace,” he said with a nod.  “I shall have it sent up straight away.”

Catching Tiffany’s shocked glance, her eyes going as wide as dinner plates, Ashleigh realized that Hawthorne had just addressed her as Your Grace.  “Let’s go upstairs,” she said, grasping Tiffany’s elbow.  “I shall explain everything.”

“I still cannot believe that you are going to have a baby,” Tiffany said, her eyes moist with tears. 

“I know.  At times I still cannot believe it myself.”

“I am so happy for you, Ashleigh.  You are going to be such a wonderful mother.” 

“Do you really think so?” she asked, her tone slightly unsure.  Having grown up without her own mother, at times she worried about how she would fare as a mother herself.

“Of course you are.  How can you doubt that?”  Reaching out, she grasped Ashleigh’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly.  “You are one of the most loving and caring people I have ever known.”

Hearing Tiffany’s heartfelt words, she couldn’t help wishing that Nicholas felt the same way.

As if sensing her inner thoughts, Tiffany’s gaze became sympathetic.  “Surely your husband will come to realize that too.  How can he not?”

“I suppose only time will tell.”  She shrugged her shoulders and tried to hide her pain.  “Oh, I nearly forgot,” she said, her eyes brightening.  “I want
you
to be the baby's God-Mother.  Please say you will.”

“Of course I will,” Tiffany replied excitedly, obviously thrilled at the notion.  “Goodness, just think, if the baby is a boy, I will be the God-Mother of a future duke.  Father will be beyond pleased, I’m sure.”  She rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Speaking of your father, have you given any further thought as to the sudden change in his behavior?”

“As a matter of fact I have,” Tiffany replied, her expression souring.  “I think he is looking to marry me off, sooner rather than later I am afraid.”

“But why?  I mean, why the sudden haste?  You haven’t even made your debut.”

“I haven’t had the courage to ask,” Tiffany sighed.  “But I think it may have something to do with his financial situation.  From certain things I have overheard, I suspect that he has made some poor investments of late.  He hasn’t said anything of course, but it seems to make the most sense.”

“Oh dear.  Has he mentioned anyone in particular?”

“No,” Tiffany said, looking glum.

Ashleigh knew that Tiffany, like her, was a romantic at heart, and had always envisioned a love-match in her future.  For Tiffany’s sake, she desperately hoped that at least one of them wouldn’t be disappointed. 

For the next hour, the girls deliberately kept their conversation upbeat, discussing everything from their most daring childhood pranks, to the style of furniture Ashleigh wanted to decorate the nursery with.  Their mood was light and cheerful and by the time Tiffany was set to take her leave, Ashleigh was in much better spirits. 

Nicholas returned to the estate that afternoon, earlier than he had originally intended, having just investigated a fire that had nearly destroyed a local inn and tavern.  The fire was found to be the result of a careless accident, a forgotten cloak left too close to the taproom hearth.  Therefore, he hadn't been required to fill the role of temporary magistrate, until one could be summoned from a larger township, as would have been the case if the fire were found to have been the result of arson. 

After arriving back at the house, he had retired to his study and presently sat behind his desk, going over some business issues concerning one of his holdings in Yorkshire.  He had just finished looking over some paperwork from his solicitor in London, when he heard the unmistakable sound of feminine laughter coming through his study door.  Curious, he rose from his desk and then exited his study, making his way toward the large front entrance hall.  He was instantly halted by the look of incredulousness upon Hawthorne's normally composed features.  Wondering what had their dignified butler in such a state of shock, Nicholas followed his gaze to the wide staircase leading up to the second floor.  Straightaway, he understood Hawthorne’s look of dismay, for hurtling down each side of the staircase came Lady Tiffany Marlowe and his new bride, each seated sideways, one atop each highly polished wooden banister. 

Nicholas' reaction was automatic and instantaneous.  Striding forward with lightning-quick speed, he reached out and plucked Ashleigh from the banister, just as she neared the bottom of the staircase, setting her on her feet with a jarring impact that rattled her teeth.

Lady Tiffany, who sprang from the end of the banister and landed gracefully on her feet, took one look at Nicholas’ face and sank into a hasty curtsey.  She then mumbled something about her father expecting her for dinner and sent Ashleigh an apologetic smile before making a hasty exit to her waiting carriage.

Ashleigh, who was still a bit stunned from being so abruptly plucked from the bannister and deposited upon her feet, stared at her husband in shocked dismay.  “N-Nicholas,” she stammered.  “What are you doing here?”

Nicholas looked down at his reckless young wife and his temper flared.  She’d nearly frightened him to death with that little stunt.
 
“What am
I
doing here?  I think the appropriate question is what in the hell are
you
doing here?” he bellowed.

Ashleigh was suddenly aware of Hawthorne’s presence and her face flamed scarlet.

Nicholas too, became aware of where they were and that they had an audience, though his unflappable butler did his best to blend into the wall as if he weren’t there. 

Turning, he gripped Ashleigh's arm and all but drug her down the hall and into his study.  “Well, what do you have to say for yourself Madame?” Nicholas demanded harshly, the moment the door slammed shut behind him.

“I am sorry if I upset you Nicholas, but Tiffany and I were just having a bit of harmless fun, and honestly, I didn’t realize that Hawthorne was there.”  She should have known better of course, for she was a duchess now, and duchesses clearly didn’t behave in such a shocking manner.  Apparently she was going to have to keep reminding herself of that.

When Nicholas just stood with his back against the door, glaring at her in mute outrage, Ashleigh tried to justify her irresponsible behavior.  “It’s just that I have nothing to do all day,” she began hesitantly.  “Now that Dr.
Ainsley
says I cannot ride, I am confined to the house, and it is becoming dreadfully tedious.”  When Nicholas continued to remain silent, the tightening of his jaw revealing his continued anger, Ashleigh's own ire began to rise.  “You must understand that I am not accustomed to remaining idle for long periods of time,” she stated defensively.  “For heaven's sake, Tiffany and I merely started talking about some of our childhood escapades and we simply got a bit carried away.  I certainly didn't mean to embarrass you, and I certainly wouldn’t have done it had I known that Hawthorne was in the foyer.”  She couldn’t seem to stop talking.  “I think you are overreacting,” she declared, matter of
factly
.