The Heiress - Lynsay Sands [38]
“So,” Daniel said finally, “after a year of misery with you know who, whom she thought was you, she just forgave all and fell into your arms last night?”
Guilt immediately filled Richard’s expression. He scrubbed at his face as if trying to wipe away the feeling, and then sighed and muttered with self-disgust. “I took advantage of an inebriated woman.”
Daniel didn’t know how to react to that. It just wasn’t like Fairgrave to do something of the sort and he suspected there had been extenuating circumstances. Certainly, from what he’d seen, Christiana hadn’t appeared to be trying to fight him off. In fact she’d been clinging to him like ivy, and if she was anything like Suzette . . . Daniel grimaced, the Madison women appeared to have strong passions. Even he had forgotten his better intentions and nearly taken Suzette . . . twice. And he didn’t have any illusions on the matter. Had Lisa not interrupted them the first time, and Suzette not mentioned how cold his hand was and made him recall George’s presence in the carriage the second time, Daniel would have taken Suzette’s virginity last night, consequences be damned. He’d also probably be on the way to Gretna Green this morning.
Clearing his throat, he finally said, “Well, at least you are going to do the right thing and stand by the marriage.”
“Which isn’t even a legal one,” Richard pointed out, and then his eyes widened. “What if she is with child from last night’s tumblings? Technically, the child would be illegitimate.”
Daniel grimaced at the thought, but tried to soothe him. “Well, one time isn’t likely to bring about a child.”
“True, but it wasn’t one time,” Richard muttered.
“Well even two . . .” Daniel began, but then noted his expression and instead asked, “Three?”
Richard stared back silently.
“Four?” he asked with disbelief.
Richard remained silent.
“Oh.” Daniel sat back in his seat, somewhat impressed, but mostly envious as he imagined having Suzette five times or more, each time in different places and positions and . . . Giving his head a shake, he muttered, “Well, she must be very . . . er . . . inspiring. We must just hope she is not equally fertile.” When Richard’s shoulders slumped, he added, “Or you could marry her to ensure everything was legal.”
“We are already supposed to be married. How the devil do I explain the need to marry again?” Richard asked with disgust.
Daniel opened his mouth to answer, but found he didn’t have any suggestions to give. He was tired, and he hadn’t even had breakfast or a cup of tea yet. How was he expected to come up with anything useful in this state? Considering sending a servant for at least some tea, he glanced to the door and noted that he’d left it open when he’d entered. Now Daniel stood and moved to it. Unfortunately, a glance out into the hall showed it empty of anyone he could send for the bracing beverage. Sighing, he closed the door and then moved back to his chair. Spotting Richard’s distressed expression he realized that they really should have closed the door much earlier and grimaced.
The short walk had helped clear his thoughts somewhat though, and as Daniel reclaimed his seat he suggested, “Rather than present it as a need, perhaps you could suggest to Christiana that you want to do it again, as a sort of fresh start to the marriage to make up for this last very bad year. She will think you are the most romantic bugger alive, and you will be assured that any heirs are legal.”
It was a rather good idea and Daniel was both surprised and pleased that he’d managed to come up with it in the state he was in. Still, that didn’t prevent his being annoyed that his friend was apparently equally surprised when Richard commented, “That is actually a good idea.”
“I have been known to have a good idea or two on occasion,” he said with irritation.
When Richard merely grunted, he added blithely, “And then you could travel