Silk and Scandal

by Carlysle, Regina

  Outside, the thunder continued to roll its warning.

  Chapter Twenty

  As they rode through the outskirts of London in Nicholas’s traveling coach, Eliza was tense and pale as she stared out the window at the passing scenery. He was seated beside her on the leather squabs. He reached out and clasped her hands. They were fisted in her lap, white against the skirt of her crimson traveling gown.

  “We shall be there soon,” he murmured. “The letter from your mother assures us that your father is resting comfortably and should have a complete recovery.”

  Eliza looked at him. “I know what she said, dearest, but I have to know for sure. We should never have lingered so long in the country. It is silly I know, but I feel so awfully guilty.”

  Reaching out, Nicholas tenderly cupped her jaw and leaned close for a kiss. “This would have happened regardless of where you were. You must see that. There is no reason to feel guilty for the extra month we spent at Windmere, and you know very well that your father would not want you to feel this way.”

  “I know. Really, Nicholas, I loved every moment we shared together in the country.” Eliza saw the worry in his eyes and, for a time, concentrated on only him. Yesterday morning, they’d learned that her father had suffered some malady of the heart and was confined to his bed. In her haste to ready them for a quick return to London, she feared she’d neglected her husband.

  He’d never once complained, indeed, he helped hurry along their travel preparations. She was completely absorbed in flying to her father’s side.

  Melting at the soft look in her husband’s eyes, she leaned against him, allowed his arms to hold her near. “I cannot regret our time spent together. There were so many obstacles standing between us, but we have been honest and learned from each other the danger in keeping secrets. Oh, I love you so, darling. Have I been terribly difficult?”

  “No. You adore Lord Henry, so your fear is natural. I understand perfectly since I still remember my own terror when Mother fell ill. Of course, we had to return.”

  She smiled. “Thank you for understanding, but promise me that we shall go back to Windmere soon. The place holds many special memories for me.”

  “For me as well.” He kissed her. “You may count on a return trip very soon, my sweet, though I would show you my other properties as well. I am eager to parade about the local villages with you on my arm. I fear that all despaired I would ever marry.”

  She flashed him a grin. “Ah, but you are well shackled now, Your Grace, are you not?”

  “I would not have it any other way.”

  Nicholas had sent word ahead of their imminent arrival, so when they pulled into the Grayson drive, a servant dressed in blue livery moved to help them descend from the carriage. As a stable lad took the carriage away, they hurried up the front steps.

  “Mother!” Eliza called out as Nicholas removed her traveling cloak. “Mother, we’re home.”

  Her mother rushed from the parlor and enfolded her in a warm embrace. Tears filled Millicent’s eyes, as she drew back to look at her. “Oh, my dear, how lovely you look. I have missed you so.” Then she turned to Nicholas. “How good of you to bring her, Your Grace.”

  Nicholas took Millicent’s hands in his and smiled gently. “Please, call me Nicholas. We are, after all, family now. There is no need to stand on formalities. Tell me how I can help?”

  Eliza noted how tired her mother appeared.

  “How very kind, Nicholas,” Millicent said with a faint smile. “But there is nothing to be done at present. Please, both of you come in and have tea and we shall talk. Your father is resting now, but I shall take you both up soon.”

  Complying with her wishes, they stepped into the parlor where her mother poured steaming tea into Sevres china cups. Placing delicate pastries upon small plates, she presented them with a flourish. “There now, a little something after your journey. You must tell me everything.”

  Eliza inhaled the scents of home and relaxed for the first time since she’d heard the news of her father’s collapse. “Windmere was lovely, as I mentioned in my last letter, and the village is charming. We had a wonderful interlude there, but your message took us aback. Tell me, how is he, Mother?”

  “Much better, though he gave me quite a scare. He was attending business at the London Museum offices and was found slumped at his desk. The doctor says that he needs rest, and I intend to see that he complies fully.”

  When Nicholas set down his plate and cup to take her hand, Eliza saw her mother smile. Was her affection for her husband so obvious then? No doubt, her mother was already thinking of grandchildren and nurseries. Eliza hid her own smile at her mother’s transparency.

  After fortifying themselves with tea, the three of them talked, but Eliza continued to worry. She couldn’t concentrate on mundane things while her father lay sick upstairs. Finally, her mother stood and held out her hands.

  “Come, dears. Perhaps your father is awake. I know how very much he has missed you, and there is no better medicine than his seeing you both well and happy.”

  Upon entering Henry’s room, Eliza rushed to his side. He was awake and wearing spectacles as he read from a leather-bound book. Looking drawn and tired, he nevertheless smiled and put the book aside.

  “Papa,” she cried softly as she reached for his hand. Bending close, she kissed his cheek. “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better, Moppett, though I was a bit worried for a while. Hello, Nicholas,” he said. “Sit, all of you.”

  Nicholas bowed slightly and settled himself in a chair. “Wonderful to see you, Lord Henry. We were very worried when we received Millicent’s letter. What has the doctor said?”

  They spent some time talking, Millicent perched upon the bed at Lord Henry’s side. When it became obvious that he didn’t want to dwell on his illness, talk turned to Nicholas and Eliza’s time in the south.

  Henry smiled and took Millicent’s hand. “I am vastly relieved to see my daughter so happy in her marriage, Nicholas. I must admit, I had a feeling about the two of you.”

  Eliza glanced at her husband in time to see his answering smile. “As always, you are astute, sir. We are happy. Now, tell me what I can do to help while you are confined?” Nicholas asked.

  Henry frowned. “As you know, I have become more involved with the museum. A large shipment of ancient Egyptian artifacts has arrived from the East, and I was overseeing the acquisition until my heart seizure.”

  “Say no more,” Nicholas said. “I shall present myself this afternoon and ask what I might do to help smooth things along.”

  Eliza cleared her throat and stood. “Mother, we should let the gentlemen discuss their business in privacy. Perhaps we could catch up on all the local gossip. Hmm?”

  Millicent’s eyes widened briefly. Eliza had never given a whit for gossip and well her mother knew it. Curiosity lit her expression but, much to Eliza’s relief, she politely bade the gentlemen goodbye, and the two of them left the room.

  Once in the hallway, Millicent took her hand and gave her a look. “What is wrong, dear? And do not tell me you wish to hear the latest news of the ton, for I will not believe it.”

  “Do not look so alarmed, Mother. I just need to talk, ask your opinion about something.”

  Nodding, Millicent took her hand. Together they went into Eliza’s old bedroom where they sat upon the bed as they had when Eliza and Lottie had been very young ladies. They removed their slippers and tossed them to the floor before inelegantly tucking their stocking feet beneath them.

  “I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have you home again, if only for a short while. The house has been so lonely,” Millicent said.

  Eliza stacked bed pillows against the headboard and leaned back with a sigh. Reaching to a bedside table, she plucked a small portrait of Lottie from it and traced a finger over the beloved face. Kissing it gently, she put it back and turned her attention to her mother. “But you have Father.”

  Her mother
grinned. “’Tis not the same. Men are pleasant on occasion, but the company of other women is such a lovely thing, is it not?”

  “Indeed.”

  “Well, I do not have to ask if you are happy in your marriage, for the evidence is on your face for all the world to see. And what a find is Duke Weston! Handsome as sin and utterly devoted it seems.”

  Eliza sighed, loving the communication that had always existed between her and her mother. “He is wonderful, Mother. He is my world.”

  “As you are his. But tell me, dear, what is troubling you? Are you well?”

  “I am not sure.”

  Millicent sat up slightly. “Shall I send for the doctor?”

  Eliza gazed into her mother’s eyes and sought to soothe the worry there. “I do not think so. Surely, I feel some woman’s malady. My menses have stopped, and I feel swollen as a stoat.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  “And here,” she said, lightly touching her bosom. “I am so dreadfully tender.” Her eyes filled with tears, but her mother only smiled. “What?”

  “You are quite emotional as well, are you not?”

  Tears rolled down Eliza’s cheeks, and she wondered if she were losing her mind to cry so over absolutely nothing. Perhaps it was the stress, a delayed reaction to her quick marriage, emotional upheaval, and the news of her father’s illness.

  “I have never, ever been a sniveler, Mother. What the bloody hell is wrong with me?”

  Millicent laughed with delight and took her chilled hands. “Oh, my dearest, you are with child. ’Tis as simple as that!”

  Except for the hours spent in Nicholas’s bed, Eliza had never felt such euphoria. A babe! Dear God in heaven, a babe conceived in love was the most wonderful gift in the world. A thrilling sense of wonder consumed her as she made the realization that her mother was quite right. Eliza practically hugged herself in her glee.

  After swearing her mother to silence, she lay upon her bed alone and pondered the future. What a glorious beginning for the two of them.

  Feeling the effects of stress, travel, and impending motherhood, she drifted off into a dreamless sleep. When she finally woke, she saw that someone had covered her while she slept. Nicholas, no doubt.

  Unable to stop smiling, Eliza started at the gentle snick of a door closing. He came to the bed and sat by her side. “Awake, my love?”

  “Mmm, what a wonderful rest,” she said, holding out her arms. He leaned in and took her in his arms. Kicking off his shoes, he stretched out beside her. As she laid her head on his shoulder, he teased a curl that had come loose while she slept.

  “You have been tired of late, I’ve noticed,” he murmured. “Do you suppose I am at fault for keeping you awake most nights?”

  Recalling the long nights of passion spent in his arms, she smiled. “Absolutely not. A man and wife are meant to learn about each other, and I have never received such a fine education, professor.”

  Nicholas rose on his elbow and took her lips with his and helplessly, she melted against him. He was so hard and strong, and he smelled positively wonderful. Reaching up, she plucked the ribbon from his hair and teased the long black stuff with her fingers. He sighed against her lips then moved his attentions to her ear, her throat, and back again to her lips.

  “We should go home,” she whispered, delighted by him. “How wonderful it will be to love each other in our own big bed.”

  “Bloody hell!” He sat up and drew his fingers through his rumpled hair. “I promised your father that I would see to things at the museum. I am so sorry, darling.”

  “I understand.” Quickly hiding her disappointment, she stood and straightened her skirts. Following suit, he fumbled with the cravat she’d plucked apart with her fingers as they’d kissed. He put his hair to rights. “You may take me home where I can supervise the unpacking. I will order a late supper for us in your chamber.”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “Our chamber.”

  “Yes, our chamber.”

  Tonight, oh yes, tonight while they were abed, she would tell him of the babe growing inside her. Envisioning every possible scenario, she held him to her body and reveled in his love.

  * * * * * * * *

  Nicholas dragged himself up the long stairway and drawing out his pocket watch, he cursed beneath his breath. When he’d arrived at the museum offices earlier today, he’d found them in a state of wild disarray. Without someone to oversee their progress, the artifacts might never have been dealt with properly. Though he was happy to assist Lord Henry, this was not something he’d wanted to do on his first day back in London.

  Recalling his talk with a sleepy Eliza earlier today, he realized suddenly how tired he was as well. Since reconciling with his bride, he’d not slept an entire night all the way through. He couldn’t get enough of her and found that being randy was a perpetual state of mind.

  Laughing softly, he wondered if he would ever sleep through an entire night undisturbed or would it would always be like this between them—hot, hungry, and ravenous for more. Naturally, he would meet the challenge without complaint.

  Even when their children came, his deepest desire was to have things between them remain the same. How dear it would be to give his children the experience of a loving household. There would be no philandering for the Duke and Duchess. Never in a thousand years would he allow his relationship with her to disintegrate into a shattered union like his parents had suffered.

  Wicked thoughts filled his brain as he imagined all the varied ways of lovemaking that he would happily teach his wife. No, their marriage would never become stale. Perhaps something wonderful could, after all, come from his sordid, hedonistic past. Memories of their lovemaking, the dangerous glint of passion in Eliza’s eyes just before she fell apart in his arms, caused him to hasten his steps.

  Opening the chamber door, he walked into the dimly lit room and stopped to absorb the intimacy in the air. She stood near the bed, carefully drawing back the dark counterpane. Looking up, she smiled and raised herself to her full height. A brace of candles on the bedside table cast her in an ethereal glow. She looked like an angel. His angel.

  “You take my breath away.”

  She said nothing, her eyes luminous, mysterious in a way he’d never seen before. “Come, love,” she said. “Our dinner waits.”

  Hungrily, he watched her, all thought of food drastically diminished. Sheer black lace draped her body like a second fitting of skin. Miniscule scraps of black held the gown over her shoulders, and the enticing dip at the front showed her bosom to delightful advantage. Creamy swells peeked daringly over the low décolleté, the soft mounds making his mouth water for just one taste.

  Dipping his gaze lower, he saw the faint outline of her nipples through seductive lace. The dark triangle between her thighs lay hidden in shadow, making him long to touch her there. Her limbs, long and pale, taunted him with visions of how they felt wound tightly around his hips. Swallowing hard, he glanced up and saw feminine knowledge in Eliza’s luminous eyes. A cat’s smile touched her lips.

  “You expect me to dine now? With you teasing me this way?” Though he smiled, his voice was hoarse with desire.

  Slowly, she came to him and looked into his eyes. He felt his body grow hot as she looped her arms over his shoulders and nipped his lower lip. “Ah, Nicholas, a man must keep up his strength, do you not think?”

  “Lead the way, Madame.”

  A cold repast of chicken and thinly sliced roast beef, cheese, and fresh fruit was set upon a table near the center of the room. A bottle of claret waited to be poured. Amid the array of food, a long-stemmed yellow rose graced the table’s center. Marzipan candies in the shapes of seashells dotted the surface of a small silver tray.

  After drawing out her chair, he seated himself across from her. Unable to stop wanting his bride, he quickly devoured the meal. Once she had finished picking at her food, he stood and taking up the tray of candies, held out his hand. “Come, wife. I find I yearn for something
sweet.”

  Eliza eyed the tray then gave him a lazy smile full of seductive promise. “Hm. I find I am hungry still.” She stood and took his hand. “Lead the way.”

  * * * *

  Later, cocooned in the tangled sheets of their bed, Nicholas eyed the empty plate where the candy had been. Grinning wickedly, he leaned over Eliza and teased a nipple with his tongue. “You wear the candy well, sweet.”

  He sucked her flesh slowly until she laughed and wriggled against him.

  “Stop! I cannot bear any more.”

  She smiled up at him, and his heart ached anew. She was the sweetest most precious thing in his world. “I love you. I cannot think of a time when I have been happier.”

  A sudden shy look appeared on her face. “Can you imagine anything that might please you even more?”

  “No.” He shook his head, but sensed she had more to say. “Tell me, darling. Something is on your mind.”

  “Would a child please you, Nicholas?”

  Shock caused his world to reel, his gut to clench with hope. His eyes widened as he stared at her beautiful face. “Are you saying—”

  Eliza nodded quickly, all the hope in the world in her eyes. “Yes, I think.”

  He grasped her shoulders. “Have you seen a doctor?”

  “Not yet, but I have talked with Mother, and all the signs point to a babe.”

  Closing his eyes at the all-consuming joy coursing through him, he pulled her close and breathed the pretty fragrance of her hair. “Dear God, that you could give me such a gift. I hoped, but never imagined this could happen so soon.”

  “It is true, Nicholas. I know it in my heart.”

  Drawing away, he gazed into her eyes. Sudden concern clouded his features. “How do you feel? Have you been ill and not told me?”

  She laughed. “No, of course not. A bit of sickness in the mornings, and I am very sleepy most of the time. My emotions have been riding a thin edge, but Mother says it is quite normal. We should expect our son or daughter sometime in late February.”