Her head came up at that.
“I can bring him in to testify on my behalf if that’s what it takes to ease your doubt about my fidelity.” This was said with more than a little sarcasm.
“She said you were with her last evening, too.” Cici was beginning to realize she had made a serious mistake.
“Another lie. I was at a meeting with some other gentlemen about a rather volatile piece of legislation. Afterward, I came home to you. Do you really think I would leave her arms only to seek you out later? What kind of man do you take me for? Shall I bring in more witnesses to verify my claims?”
“That’s not necessary, Andrew. I believe you. I’m sorry I-.”
“Don’t. You say you believe me now, but what about tomorrow?” He paused and looked at her, his face showed the hurt and anger he felt. “If I speak to a woman or accidentally brush against another am I going to have to defend myself again? You are going to have to get control of this jealousy, wife.” He walked to the window and stood silently staring out, his back rigid.
“This was a little more than a casual meeting with just any woman, Andrew. You were lovers. I-.” Cici attempted to explain, but was stopped short by his command
“No.” His voice cut through her words and she fell silent. “I think you should go on up to your room. We can discuss this later when I am not quite so angry.”
“I don’t think you are being fair. What if I had been seen meeting with a former suitor and rumors were flying that I was unfaithful? How would you feel?”
“Don’t make things worse by disobeying.”
“Andrew, please-“
“To your room, Cecilia. Now.”
“You are impossible sometimes.” Cici fled the room sobbing. She flew up the stairs and made it to her room in seconds finding Maggie waiting anxiously in the hallway outside her door.
“Oh Cici. I’m so sorry.” Maggie put her arms around her friend and let her sob on her shoulder. “What can I do?”
“Nothing. I am such a fool. I have only myself to blame if he hates me now. I should have talked to him about my doubts and about the rumors.”
“Andrew, how is he?”
“He’s angry and hurt.”
“He said that?”
“Not the latter but it was clearly written on his face. And he sent me to my room. We usually share his.” Realizing what she had said to her husband’s sister, she flushed. Most married couples of their station kept separate bedrooms. She should have known with Andrew’s desire to keep her close that he hadn’t strayed. She had done him an injustice with her doubts. How on earth would she make it up to him?
Cici retired to her rooms then, dejected and wallowing in guilt and remorse for her actions. She couldn’t calm herself. Too upset to come down for dinner and with little appetite, she also refused a tray in her room. As the hour grew late she found it impossible to sleep. So she paced and waited for Andrew to come upstairs.
The hall clock was chiming two when she finally heard his footsteps in the hall. They passed slowly by her door, continuing to the master suite that lay beyond. Cici flew to the connecting door and through the sitting room beyond. She knocked softly on Andrew’s door, opening it when she heard his approval to enter.
“Cecilia, you should have been asleep hours ago. It’s late.”
“Oh Andrew, I couldn’t sleep. I feel wretched about all of this.”
“We shall discuss it tomorrow evening. Go back to bed now.”
“I will expire from guilt between now and then.” She rushed to where he stood and fell to her knees before him; head bowed, tears falling. “Please Andrew, punish me. I deserve it for doubting you and have earned your strap or that awful birch rod. Do what you will to me just say you will forgive me.”
“Fine, we will do this now.” Putting his hand to her head he stroked her hair gently. “I was offended and angry at first, but I have thought about it and can see how some of this doubt was justified.”
Cici sobbed as she grasped on to that glimmer of hope. “Can you forgive me?”
“Yes Cici I forgive you.” He grunted from her weight hitting his chest as she vaulted into his arms. “My darling, please don’t cry anymore.”
Carrying her to the large armchair by the fireplace, he cuddled her on his lap. Stroking her back, he murmured against her sweet smelling hair. “Sh… it’s all right.” He pulled a linen cloth from his inner coat pocket and mopped up her tears. “Please, you’ll make yourself sick.”
“She was just so convincing and well… even Maggie had doubts and she was your champion from the beginning.”
“She is a very believable actress. I must admit that she fooled me for quite some time. Even if I hadn’t decided that it was time for me to marry, I would have ended it when I did. She was too cunning and devious.”
“What could you possibly have found attractive about that venomous woman in the first place?”
When he didn’t immediately answer, she looked up at him and found he had a light flush on his cheeks. “Oh… that was a stupid question, I suppose.”
“When she summoned me after we wed, she had some bizarre belief that I would return to her and everything would go back to the way it was. She seemed desperate and a little crazed I’ll admit. But I set her straight Cici and told her I would not under any circumstances meet with her again. I warned her that any further manipulations or threats to harm herself would go directly to the police, instead.”
“Obviously she didn’t get the message.”
“I will take care of that tomorrow.”
“You don’t mean to meet with her again, Andrew. If you do I am going with you.” Shocked, Cici sat up straight on his lap and made this declaration.
Andrew gazed at her determined face. His little wife could be quite unwavering at times, “Sweetheart, I don’t intend to go myself. I will send my secretary or perhaps let Duncan visit her again. Either way you will not contact her, ever.” He angled her face to his so that they were eye to eye. “Is that clear?”
“Perfectly.”
“I should have told you about the note and my visit. I should have known that somehow word would get back to you. Believe me I did it to protect you, not out of deceit.”
“I believe you Andrew.” Looking up into his handsome face, she stroked his beard roughened cheek and smoothed her fingers across his lips. “I’m sure I wouldn’t have reacted well at that time either.”
“Mm… you were in quite a rage when you arrived today. And your aim with that reticule was dead on. I’ll be shaking in my boots if I ever make you angry and there is statuary nearby.” She shook her head in embarrassment. “You know, I hear the National Cricket Team is looking for a new bowler.”
Covering her flaming face with her hands, her voice was muffled as she murmured, “I’m sorry, that was not at all well done of me.”
He stopped teasing and pulled her hands down so he could look at her. “The colorful language was quite appalling as well. We’ve discussed that a time or two already.”
“Are you planning on punishing me?”
“I planned to initially, but when I calmed down I realized we were equally at fault. But don’t get the idea that I condone your behavior or will allow a repeat performance. You must learn to control your anger and always.” Nudging her face up to his again he continued, “Always, Cici, come to me with your concerns. We are together in this marriage and if we are to be happy we have to be open and honest with one another.”
“I promise, Andrew.”
“Good girl. Now lets get you tucked into bed, you look exhausted.”
“Do I have to sleep in my room? Its lonely there without you.”
“No sweetheart, I was just a little out of sorts earlier and didn’t know what I was saying.” He lowered his head and kissed her lips softly. “Your place is always beside me in our bed.”
She responded instantly and slipped her arms around his neck. Her hands found the thick wavy hair at his nape and she pulle
d his head down to hers, offering her mouth fully.
After several moments of passionate kissing, he pulled away and looked at her. “One more thing. I thought about your question. What would I have done if the situation was reversed? I can tell you Cici that I would have been mad with jealousy if I found you meeting with an old suitor. I’m afraid I would lose my mind and separate his head from his shoulders and ask questions later.”
“I still want to scratch her eyes out, Andrew.”
“I know sweetheart. But would my duchess do such a thing?”
“Hmm…” Cici considered this for a moment before answering. “I think your duchess just might.”
He smiled down at her, shaking his head in mocking dismay before kissing her deeply again. Her tongue aggressively sought his as their embrace went from gentle and sweet to urgent and heated. They didn’t find their rest until the early morning hours. The conflict resolved between them, they didn’t appear to alleviate Maggie’s worries until midday when luncheon was served.
Chapter Eleven
Andrew returned home midday in search of some important documents. He was rooting around on his desk when his duchess entered the room.
“Cici, I regret that I am going to have to bow out on the Staffordshire’s ball tonight. Some unexpected business has arisen that needs my immediate attention.”
“But Andrew, this will be the third time in two weeks that you have canceled our plans. Surely it can wait.”
“Unfortunately not. My steward from Kippford has sent a message and I must travel there to take care of a problem with the tenants.” Frustrated from being unable to find the papers he was looking for he called to Higgins. While he waited for the butler to arrive, he noticed his wife’s pout and tense posture.
“Don’t make a big fuss about it, Cecilia. I know you’re disappointed, but it can’t be helped.”
“May I go with you then?”
“No, I’ll be traveling on horseback. There’s no time for you to pack and I don’t want to risk your health so early in your pregnancy.”
“Why don’t you hire a secretary like the other men? You are so busy Andrew. Surely some help would be useful.” She had made this suggestion before, but he had brushed it aside.
“You know I like to attend to my own business. We have discussed this before and I want you to drop it. I’ll make it up to you on my return.”
Cici flopped down onto the settee in a snit. She was disappointed. She had a beautiful new gowned ready for the evening’s event. If she waited until the next invitation when Andrew was available it surely wouldn’t fit around her thickening waist. This caused her to pout even more. Barely three months along and she’d started filling out already. Andrew was certain she had conceived the night he took her virginity. He was very virile and enjoyed frequent lovemaking. Although that was extremely pleasant, she missed his companionship, for they rarely spent time together outside the bedroom. Her disappointment caused her tongue to move before her mind could stop it.
“Well isn’t that the same fimble-famble I always hear? You get to go larking off on your little business adventure and I get to stay here at home, bored and alone.”
“I don’t appreciate the sarcastic tone or the language, wife.” Thompson came in then and Andrew asked him to fetch his travel case from his rooms where he thought he may have left his papers. Cici held her tongue only until the door closed behind the butler.
“I suppose now that I have done my duty and am in the family way, I am of no importance to you anymore. I expect you’ll be sending me into early confinement any day now to keep me out from under foot until I deliver your heir. After all, ‘out of sight is out of mind’ as they say.”
Slapping a hand sharply on his desk he got her attention. “That is quite enough.” He stopped his scold long enough to call to Thompson as he knocked softly at the door. He entered and quietly delivered His Grace’s documents and left. “What has gotten into you Cici? You are behaving like a spoiled child, not the gracious woman I have grown to know over the past few months.”
“You have to understand, Andrew. I don’t have all the things you have to keep busy. It's still too cold to go out. Even if I wanted to ride, you have forbidden me a mount and I have no one but a groom to escort me. The teas and luncheons are boring because they are just a gathering of gossiping old biddies since most of my friends are still in the country. And with Maggie at Sommerville, I have absolutely no one for companionship. Elizabeth and Mama come for tea, but my sister is… well, lets say she is not the best of company. The household staff is so well trained it runs like clockwork, so there is absolutely nothing for me to do.”
Her pout deepened and she let herself slip back into an uncharacteristic whiney tone. “Maybe you should just pack me off. Soon I’ll be fat and ungainly anyway. It's not likely you’ll even notice I’m gone. I’m certain that footstool in the corner is more highly regarded and useful..”
He had never seen her in this state of moodiness before. Of late, she was an emotional weeping mess with the pregnancy, but she had never suggested he send her off to the country and she had certainly learned not to degrade herself, or be so rude and disrespectful.
To his utter consternation she started to cry. “I guess while I’m gone you’ll find yourself another convenient. An experienced rogue like you, so handsome and wealthy, won’t have any trouble in that regard. It’s too bad your tupping had to be curtailed when you became saddled with an unwanted wife.”
He stared at her, astonished by the utter rubbish spewing from her mouth. His anger built until it roiled inside him. What in the hell was she talking about? It had been a month since their argument over Lady Winslow. He refused to rehash this old jealous argument with her again. He had been busy lately, but he had come home early and had supper with her just last night. And, they had spent the remainder of the evening in their rooms making love. What was she expecting, for him to be at her beck and call like a paid companion? Maybe he had let her mood swings go unaddressed because of the baby.
Could it be that she missed his correcting her? Outside of an amorous swat or two, he hadn’t really spanked her in weeks. There hadn’t been the need. Maybe she was subconsciously asking for a spanking with this naughty behavior. He had known women in the past who responded to that kind of dominance. Maybe his little Cici was the same. Well, if her recent behavior was his reward for being gentle and kind because of her pregnancy, then that stopped today.
“Your unguarded tongue has once again gotten you in trouble wife, for you have certainly earned a punishment.”
Her wide-eyed expression spoke volumes. Obviously, she had thought she was off the hook from a good leathering because she was pregnant. “But Andrew, I’m expecting. What about the baby?”
He crossed the room to pull her to her feet and grasping her chin forced her to meet his eyes. “Is that what this wretched behavior is all about? You think I won’t punish you because of your pregnancy? Did you think I would let you run roughshod over me for the entire nine months? I think you forget who is in charge in this marriage and it's time for a reminder.”
She shook her head in denial and averted her eyes, but not before he saw the regret and remorse in her expression.
“Never would I do anything that would risk you or the baby, Cici. Surely you know that. A few swats to your derriere are not going to harm our child.” When she gave him a watery nod as the tears started to fall, he turned her to undo the buttons up the back of her day dress. “Strip to your chemise and wait for me in the corner. I am angry right now so you will wait there until I have composed myself. Do you understand?”
“Yes Andrew. I don’t usually act in such a way, but I have been at sixes and sevens lately. I’ve never been so moody and ill-tempered before.” The tears were falling rapidly now.
“I agree, so we will take care of that soon. Go to your corner and lift your chemise. I want that naughty bottom on display. You will stay there and be silent and still until I cal
l for you. Do you understand?”
“Yes Andrew.” She sniffled and scrubbed at her cheeks. “I am sorry for my behavior, please forgive me.”
“You are forgiven, sweetheart. Once your punishment is complete you will then be able to forgive yourself as well.” He gently turned her and patted her rounded bottom, sending her on her way. He watched until she had done as ordered. Pressing her nose in the corner, she reached under her chemise and untied her drawers. Then taking two steps back she lifted her chemise to her waist as he taught her. This placed her bared pale globes on prominent display for his appreciative gaze. Nodding at her obedience, he went back to his desk and studied the documents that had brought him home midday in the first place.
He listened to an occasional sniffle and hitched breath for the next hour or so as he finished his business. Then he looked at his duchess. Remembering that she was a young woman of only eighteen years and used to being socially active with friends her own age, he felt a glimmer of regret. She told him she didn’t enjoy the balls and fetes unless he could accompany her. And, she didn’t like to dance with other men, or spend her time with the matrons. She was right; a secretary would be helpful and would allow him more time with her. Once the children came along he would want the extra time to spend with his family. He resolved to begin his search immediately.
He went to the settee and called to her, “Come here, Cecilia.”
Watching her turn and cross to him, he got a stimulating glimpse of her titian muff as she walked the short distance toward him. She knew the rules by now; she was to keep her chemise raised and her bottom on display until given permission to cover herself. Spreading his legs he pulled her in close until she fit snugly against his inner thighs and groin. His hands slid up the backs of her thighs until they cupped her lush bottom. He snuggled her close and rested his head between her breasts. He could see her tummy was already slightly rounded as she stood before him nearly naked. He had already forbidden her to wear a corset and had the maid remove all the potentially harmful garments from her dressing room.
Surrender Your Grace Page 11