The Sherbrooke Bride - Catherine Coulter [109]
“Oh yes,” Alexandra agreed. “Your English is superb, Madame.”
Madame nodded, not one whit affected by the contretemps. “I also speak German and Italian and a bit of Russian. I have a Russian count who is my lover, you know? He is probably as wild and possessive a lover as your husband, a wild man and he keeps my heart racing.”
That sounded wonderful to Alexandra.
Before the afternoon was over, Alexandra was so weary she could scarce stand. She was also the proud owner of six new gowns, two riding habits, nightgowns, chemises. Goodness, the list went on and on. Douglas regained a proper mood after they left Madame Jordan’s. Then he bought her bonnets and shoes and handkerchiefs and stockings and reticules, even an umbrella.
He was still a fount of energy when at last he handed her into the carriage. He shoved a stack of boxes away on the seat. Alexandra was so tired she didn’t care if she was in London or in the Hebrides. Her head fell against his shoulder and he squeezed her against him, dropping a kiss on top of her head.
“It has been a long day. You did well. I was proud of you. For the most part anyway. I still am displeased by your necklines.”
Alexandra wasn’t about to touch that topic again. She chewed her bottom lip, then burst out, “You know everything about clothes. You and Madame Jordan were obviously well acquainted. Have you bought clothing for many women?”
CHAPTER
19
DOUGLAS LOOKED AT her thoughtfully, then shrugged. “It’s really none of a wife’s affair what a husband does, but I see no harm in educating you. Yes, it’s something all females appreciate. I realized when I was no more than a very charming lad of nineteen years that I should gain expertise in the area of fashion and so I did. If a man wishes to maintain a constant supply of women, why then, he must adapt himself to their little vagaries.”
“It sounds rather cold-blooded to me.”
“Aren’t you the least bit grateful for my generosity today? Six new gowns . . . two new riding habits. In addition, I even allowed you and Madame to have your own way. Won’t you reward me suitably?”
It was very strange, she thought, and rather predictable that men always seemed to remember things differently. Alexandra sighed. “I am perfectly willing, but you never give me the chance to reward you, Douglas. You are all over me before I have a chance to do anything, and thus it is I who get all the rewards, and I never buy you anything.”
“That is an interesting way of looking at it. Most women and men would consider you an oddity, that or a woman of immense guile.” He frowned at her, as if uncertain of something, then said, “You still have the thirty pounds?”
“Yes. You mean, to have a constant supply of men I need to adapt myself to their little vagaries?”
“It doesn’t work that way. Men are always in constant supply. Men are excessively easy to attach. Men won’t ever simper or play the tease or make excuses.”
“Come, Douglas, I may not have much experience, but what experience I have convinces me that the goose and gander apply here. The thirty pounds won’t go very far. It wouldn’t do for the mythical men to feel slighted, no matter how eager they are. Perhaps I could purchase several dozen of a single item and give them out as I go along. What do you think?”
“I think you’re pushing me and it isn’t wise. I think you need to be beaten. I think your humor needs silence and reflection. You are being impertinent and I won’t allow it. Be quiet, Alexandra.”
“Perhaps watch fobs,” she said in an idle voice against his shoulder. “And I could have my initials engraved next to theirs on each one. Personalized, you know.”
He said calmly, his voice controlled and cold, “If you provide me quickly with an heir, all the money I have spent on you will have been worth it.”
Oh dear, she thought. She had pushed him and his retaliation was swift and rather brutal.
“If you tell me you don’t mean that, I will be quiet and forget about the watch fobs and the humor.”
“I won’t tell you