“Of course. I’ll ask Andrews to pack for me too.” And he quickly left the room.
He didn’t know how he made it to Sommersford without ravishing her. Carrying her out to the carriage, her arms clasped tightly about his neck, her head leaning on his shoulder, had been bad enough. Having to sit opposite her for four hours, breathing in her heady scent, nearly killed him. Even with the carriage window open, the air was filled with her fragrance.
And that was without having to look at her beautiful face, her extraordinary hair, or her slender, but so shapely body. At about the half way point he had to close his eyes, or he would have had to go up and sit with Bilton. But the rustle of paper and turning of pages had him opening one eye a fraction.
Her elegant fingers turned the pages gently, her dark eyes following the words rapidly. Was the scene in the book exciting? Dangerous? Romantic? Her breasts rose and fell rapidly as she read and he thought he might die of need.
Sophia didn’t know how she managed it. To keep herself relaxed and almost floppy had been much more difficult than she imagined, especially as she could feel everyone one of Brendon’s hard muscles as he carried her from her room to the carriage. Guilt had bitten deeper, and she had almost confessed her subterfuge when he took such care over the cushions, making sure she was supported and comfortable.
The next couple of hours sitting in such close confines only made things worse. She could smell his cologne, along with his own unique scent. Leather and spice. His eyes were dark and brooding as they wandered over her time and again, and she wondered what he was thinking. When a muscle began working in his jaw, the effects of his magnetic onslaught became overwhelming. She was almost glad when he eventually closed his eyes.
She gazed out of the window while he slept, the passing countryside now almost familiar, but even that became a bore after a while. She opened her reticule and took out the book she had been reading the night before and had only just opened it to her marked page, when Brendon suddenly spoke.
“You are enjoying your book?”
Surprised that he hadn’t really been sleeping she regarded him for a moment, wondering if she had done anything to give her new-found mobility away, but his expression merely showed a genuine interest in what she had been reading.
“It is merely a romance. The heroine is about to be married to the aging Lord Farnsworth to clear her father’s debts. The man she loves is nowhere to be seen and time is running out. It is becoming quite tense.”
Brendon smiled indulgently.
“I suspect it is, but I didn’t know you read romance. Whatever happened to you being so interested in the sciences? Last year, you couldn’t get enough of those anatomical books I gave you.”
Sophia marked her page and closed her book again.
“I still love that kind of thing, but I don’t have the chance to read it often. Algernon took most of his books to Sommersford when he married Felicity, and I was left with the sort of thing my mother likes reading.” She lifted the book in her hand. “Of course, I borrowed this from your mother’s selection at Fallows. It would appear that her tastes coincide with my mother’s.” She gave an apologetic smile.
Brendon looked thoughtful.
“My father had a great interest in reading. I do too. I am sure there are plenty of his old books at Fallows, but with all the work we are undertaking, I simply haven’t had a chance to look.”
Sophia glanced out of the window again.
“You have kept busy while I have been lying abed.”
Brendon leaned forwards in his seat and stared at her.
“I want you to see someone in London. A second opinion, if you like. I cannot believe that this has happened to you. Doctor Hawkins was sure that you would recover the feelings in your legs quite quickly after you woke. I cannot believe that it isn’t so.”
Sophia bit her lip.
“Perhaps we should wait a little longer. There has been a marked increase in the tingling sensations I can feel. I don’t know if I want to be poked and prodded by all and sundry if I am going to get better by myself.”
“It wouldn’t be all and sundry. I know a man who looked at Algernon when he took that bullet to his thigh. Hit a nerve and caused massive muscle damage. There was some talk of him losing the use of his leg, but I couldn’t let that happen. Jacobs gave us some solid advice and now Algernon barely limps. He might be able to help you too.” He reached out to touch her hand.
Sophia scrabbled for an excuse.
“But think of the money. Specialists are expensive. I think we should try more of that massage you began.”
Brendon sat back quickly.
“No. I simply cannot.” He raked his fingers through his hair as his body heated at the memory.
“But I...”
He held up his hand to stop her.
“Sophia, you have to know how seeing you semi naked made me feel. I am a man after all, but I was disgusted with myself. I behaved like an animal.”
Sophia’s brow creased.
“And animals kiss their mate’s backs, do they?” She enquired.
Brendon drew in a deep breath and wiped his perspiring brow.
“Don’t remind me. I should never have touched you.” If he hadn’t been sitting down, his knees might have given out at the thought of her silky soft skin and that tiny mole on her shoulder. He gave himself a mental shake. “I will make some enquiries about Jacobs as soon as we leave Sommersford. Let us talk of something else. We will soon be seeing our nephew and nieces and I am wondering what names Algernon and Felicity have chosen for them. George for the boy, and perhaps Arianne and Charlotte for the girls. What do you think?”
Sophia expression brightened as relief swept through her. She had won a short reprieve, though not her husband’s heart.
“I think those are good choices for the girls, though perhaps Stephan or Charles might be nice for their son. I still cannot believe she had triplets. Must have come from your side of the family for I don’t believe there are any on ours. Algernon and I have very few relatives.”
Brendon nodded slowly.
“Which is why you were left to your uncle’s mercies when Algernon and I were away. You have never spoken of it much, though I am sure you will have told Felicity some of your secrets.”
Sophia stared hard at her hands. She didn’t want to be reminded of the five long years she had been under the care of her uncle, but perhaps Brendon should know of what she went through.
“It was a difficult time. I found it easier to remain quiet rather than ask for anything. It was fortunate that mother had an extensive wardrobe. My uncle did sell some of her clothes, but when I realized what he was doing, I hid several of her finer gowns away. From those I saved from his seemingly never-ending greed, I managed to renew and update our dresses time and time again before they became rags and were not fit to be seen in public.” Her shoulders had stiffened under the memory.
Brendon shook his head in wonder.
“I don’t know how you managed to do it. I am full of admiration at your skills and sorry that you felt the need to hide your hardships. You know that my parents and Felicity would have done anything to help both you and your mother.”
Sophia blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.
“Perhaps my pride was at fault, but I simply could not do it. Algernon would have been mortified if he had known that we were being reduced to begging, and as I was sure that your mother wrote to you, I couldn’t let there be any chance of him finding out. But it wasn’t simply our clothes that our uncle restricted. Sometimes we barely had food enough for the table. We went out to as many evening receptions as possible, just to partake of the buffets they ran. Mother and I soon learned how to wrap and hide extra portions so that we would have food for the next few days without having to ask my uncle for money. Which he probably would not have given us anyway.” She lifted her chin as Brendon’s face blanched in horror.
“I had no idea it was so bad.”
“I sewed large pockets into our gowns specifically for the purpose and we learned to take things that didn’t go off too quickly. If we didn’t have another invite, they needed to last.”
Brendon swallowed his shock.
“Algernon confided to me that you had been in straits, but discovering that you didn’t have enough food for your table, well, it doesn’t bear thinking about. If I had known, I wouldn’t have let the man get away with it so easily.” His frown had deepened with every word.
Sophia gave a watery smile and drew in a settling breath.
“It was not a pleasant time. Things have been far easier now that Algernon is home again. Not perfect, but at least mother and I don’t have to go sneaking about the buffets of the ton any longer.” She looked down at her fingers and threaded them together to stop them shaking.
Brendon reached forward and took her hands in his own. He circled the pads of his thumbs over the backs of them.
“But now you are married to me, and can forget all of that hardship.”
Sophia stared at Brendon.
“And you would have him do what with our mother? He is busy at Sommersford and she is lonely enough as it is, what with having a pig of a husband and a murdering wretch for a brother in law.” She suddenly slapped her hand to her forehead. “And I haven’t even told her that we are married! I am a dreadful daughter!”
Brendon shook his head.
“I gave a note to my mother to pass on to yours. My mother had a hankering to go to Bath before returning home, much to my father’s displeasure. Your mother should have had the letter by now.”
Crystal droplets teetered on Sophia’s lashes.
“Did you tell her about me, about not being able to walk?”
He shook his head.
“I didn’t want to worry her, especially as you will probably be well by the time you see her again.”
“You are very confident.” She didn’t know how she could look him in the eye.
“I have high hopes of Jacobs. He has made several studies into how muscles and nerves work.”
Sophia glanced away from the intensity of his gaze.
“I already said that I am not happy to be poked and prodded.”
Brendon might have begun to protest, but her expression suddenly brightened again.
“Look! Sommersford! We are here at last. I can’t wait until we meet our nephew and nieces.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Pride Before a Fool
“They are so tiny, but so beautiful, and you look so well, if a little fatigued. I can scarce believe that they are almost two weeks old already.” Sophia gazed at the little bundle in her arms. She touched the satin soft skin of Arianne’s cheek.
They had eaten dinner with the men and retired to Felicity’s room to feed the babies before settling them into bed.
“August is thriving as you can see.” Felicity glanced at the baby boy sleeping soundly in the crib beside her while she held another to her breast. “But Caroline and Arianne still need a lot of care. Though they are feeding well now at first the doctor warned us that they might not survive. I do as much as I can, of course, but August is like his father and has a voracious appetite. With three hungry little mouths, we’ve had to ask a wet nurse to come in for additional feeds. Fortunately Anna’s mother knew a woman in the village who was about to wean her son. It was not what I had wanted to do, but I scarcely closed my eyes at night with worrying before she came. If it weren’t for Anna and her mother helping us, I don’t think Algernon or I would have slept a wink.”
Sophia cuddled the little girl into her and brushed the wisps of dark hair across the child’s head.
“But what a joy! And such a surprise”
Felicity laughed.
“You have no idea. Anna and her mother did so well and we were so relieved when August and Caroline presented themselves at last, but we all nearly passed out when Arianne decided to make an appearance. Even the doctor was amazed. Surviving triplets are very rare. He said that he had never seen it before. You can imagine the size of Algernon’s head at the moment. And his chest is so puffed up with pride you would think the tailor had padded his jackets!”
Sophia breathed in the scent of freshly washed baby.
“I saw. As if he wasn’t tall enough, I swear he has grown another inch or two, but I am so glad he managed to be in time for our wedding.”
Holding the baby to her breast Felicity leaned forwards in her bed and puffed the pillows behind her.
“You must tell me everything! I am so excited for you and Brendon. It has been my dearest wish for so long. Do you remember when we were so young? We always talked about marrying them and now it has come true.” She lifted Caroline to her shoulder to wind her while she beamed at her friend. “You must be so happy.”
Sophia shook her head, unable to speak for a moment. Misery etched her face when she eventually looked up again.
“But it was not how it should have been.” The disappointment was obvious. “He never even asked me. Brendon planned it all meticulously and I couldn’t refuse. Too many people knew he had spent the night in my room, but I fear that it was a big mistake. What good am I to him like this?” She waved her hand at her legs. “And what makes it worse is that he could annul the marriage at any time.” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Felicity leaned over, placed Caroline in her crib and took Arianne from her friend.
“But what do you mean? He must have asked you, and you have been married a fortnight. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t possibly apply for an annulment after all this time.”
If possible, Sophia’s cheeks became an even deeper shade of pink.
“I am afraid that he didn’t and he could.” She sat quietly, not wanting to explain further.
Felicity remained silent a moment, before she suddenly gasped in understanding.
“You mean that he simply demanded that you marry him, and he hasn’t...That you haven’t...I mean that you are still...” She gulped, unable to finish her sentence.
Sophia let out a huff of air.
“That about sums it up. He produced the marriage license at midday and we were wed at four. Though I don’t know why he bothered as I am still a virgin. You can say the words, Felicity. I am already dying of shame. You cannot make matters any worse.” She stared down at her fingers, wishing she still had the baby in her arms to give her something to distract her.
“But why? If he was so keen to marry you as to not give you an option, why hasn’t he taken the final step? He is a man, surely he has needs.”
“I suspect he does, he certainly acts as though he does, but then he merely restrains himself and backs off, leaving me wanting him so badly.” A tear dripped this time and she cuffed it away impatiently. “I think my disability is putting him off. He said something about wanting our first time to be perfect and he wasn’t going to touch me if I couldn’t enjoy it as much as him.”
Felicity gave a gentle smile.
“How romantic! So it is not as bad as it seems. I always knew that he had a softer side and it seems that you have found it.”
Sophia dashed away more tears.
“But it is as if he is scared of me. Scared of showing any emotion. Even before we were married, when I took the furniture to Fallows, we had an opportunity to take things just a little further. He held me after an attack of vertigo and in my confusion, I touched his back and shoulders. He pushed me away and left the room. It was a mortifying moment. And when we tried a massage to help with the feelings in my legs, he ran from me again. Every time he has become close, he backs off as if afraid to give in to his feelings. I don’t know what to do about it. I mean, if he won’t take me when I am helpless to resist, will he ever?”
Felicity looked down at her baby and curled a finger against her cheek.
“Perhaps he means that he wants you to find as much pleasure as him. The act isn’t as our mother’s would have us believ
e, though I confess my own mother’s lesson on it came down to one sentence. ‘Don’t be shy in bed.’ We don’t have to lie back and wait for it all to be over. Giving pleasure is as enjoyable as receiving it. Perhaps Brendon would like a more wild experience, and taking you when you cannot partake fully is holding him back.”
“But he won’t even lie with me. It as if my body holds no allure. I mean, according to those books we read, there is a lot more to bedroom activities than simply...well you know what I mean.” She added shyly.
Felicity nodded.
“Yes, there certainly are many ways to be inventive. Algernon is quite jealous of our babies at the moment. He says that he feels quite usurped.” She looked down at the baby at her breast.
Sophia couldn’t help but laugh.
“Poor man. Though given the tiredness you are feeling that is probably just as well.” She sighed.
“Being together at night is most comforting though. Just holding one another, feeling one’s partner’s warmth...” she sighed as if it were the greatest of pleasures. “And as you say, there are other things one can do. Perhaps you need to tempt him.”
Sophia rolled her eyes.
“How? He won’t come near me unless he has to.”
Felicity grinned.
“He’ll be near you tonight. I made sure we only prepared one extra bedroom.”
Algernon led Brendon along the upstairs hallway.
“The renovations are being done gradually. One room at a time, actually. We have put you and Sophia in here. The view over the gardens and towards the forest is breathtaking.” He opened the door to a beautifully decorated room. The huge bed dominated the space but its dark wooden frame had been lightened with gauzy drapes of a gold threaded material. A thick rug padded the floor and two comfortable chairs sat either side of a fireplace. The room was warm from the afternoon sun and Algernon moved towards the windows. He threw one open and a gentle breeze wafted the curtains around the bed.
Brendon sat on the bed and tested the springs.
A Promise of Pure Gardenias Page 23