Jade Star - Catherine Coulter [79]
Jules could only stare at her.
“My sentiments exactly,” Chauncey said. “In any case, Byrony agreed to pretend that she was pregnant and that Irene’s child was hers. She didn’t know then that the child was the result of an incestuous union. She found that out later. Del had the marriage annulled, and Byrony married Brent. It always bothered me that the Butlers got away with their deception, for Byrony was hurt very badly. Just a couple of days ago, if what I’ve heard is right, a new maid walked in on them, in bed. Their house of cards collapsed. I understand they’ve left to return to Baltimore. Now, that wasn’t too long or too involved, was it?”
“What it is is amazing. Poor Byrony, I had no idea—”
“Not many people do. Just our little group, I suppose you’d say. Now, my dear, I think I’ll leave you alone. Saint told me not to tire you.”
“Oh, Chauncey. How much money did the ball make for the Hammonds and Wakeville?”
“Nearly fifteen thousand dollars,” Chauncey said, preening a bit. “Both Brent and Byrony are esctatic, needless to say. Now, you rest, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jules wondered before she indeed fell asleep why people’s lives were never so simple as one would imagine. Her first thought upon waking several hours later was: Tonight I’m going to seduce my husband. I’ll prove to him that his nobility is no longer necessary. The next time I see Jameson Wilkes, if there is a next time, I’ll stick my pregnant stomach out at him.
She giggled.
18
“Jesus, I’m tired.”
Jules looked at her husband and smiled. You won’t be soon. She said, “I’m sorry. A difficult patient?”
“Make that plural. How do you feel, sweetheart?”
“Just fine, top form and all that, and you aren’t going to sleep downstairs tonight, are you?”
Saint swallowed, automatically drawing back from her. “I don’t want to disturb your sleep,” he said.
“But what if I wake up during the night, ill? Do you want me to crash a chair against the floor?”
Saint sighed. “I suppose I could sleep in the guestroom with Thomas.”
“In that case, I could simply shout, I suppose,” Jules said calmly, watching him closely. “Of course, that might hurt my head dreadfully.”
Saint floundered about for reasons, any reason in fact, to stay away from her. Finding none for the moment, he said, eyeing the tub, “You had a bath.”
“Yes, and Lydia washed my hair for me.”
“I see,” he said, beginning to inch toward the door.
Jules played her ace. “Please don’t leave me alone, Michael. It’s nightmares . . . and I’m frightened.” Please forgive me for the fib.
She thought she heard him curse very softly, and kept firm control over the smile that threatened to break free. “Very well,” he said, and his voice sounded like a condemned man’s.
He turned off all the lights and undressed in the dark. Jules didn’t mind. She rather hoped he wouldn’t wear one of those ridiculous nightshirts. But he did.
“Good night, Jules,” he said as he slipped in beside her, hugging the far side of the bed.
“Good night,” she said softly, and prepared to wait. Not too long, just enough time for him to relax.
“Michael?” she said finally, not moving.
“Yes?”
He sounded too alert, she thought. Well, there was no help for it. “What do you think of celibacy?”
She heard him suck in his breath. “Go to sleep, Jules,” he said, his voice harsh.
“Do you think it’s more difficult for a man to be celibate than a woman?”
She was going to drive him crazy, he thought, inching even closer to the far side of the bed. She was so bloody innocent, so guileless . . .
“I don’t like being celibate.”
Guileless, hell! “All right, Jules,” he said, turning toward her, “what the devil is going on?”
She said very calmly, “Aren’t we married?”
“I repeat, what the devil is going on?”
She sought the word Del Saxton has used. “I think we should consummate our marriage.”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Jules, please, no. I am not such a monster, and