The Sherbrooke Bride - Catherine Coulter [47]
“Yes, and the time Tony broke the branch and nearly drowned because it struck him on the head when he hit the water.”
“I should prefer London,” Melissande said.
“You will prefer what I wish you to prefer, Mellie,” Tony said very matter-of-factly.
Ryder said quickly, his voice limpid as that same spring in summer, “I agree that Melissande would enjoy London, but only if Tony was enjoying it with her. Since he prefers Strawberry Hill, why then, she will prefer it also. Melissande understands that it is a wife’s duty and pleasure to obey her husband, to honor him by her every word and deed and soft caress. Don’t you agree, Alexandra?”
Alex said with a smile, “I should like to see the branch that coshed Tony on the head and nearly drowned him.”
“I should also,” Melissande said, beautiful eyes wary, “but after I have enjoyed London, with my husband, naturally.”
Douglas took a sip of the rich claret. He looked at Ryder over the edge of the crystal goblet.
“As I was saying,” Ryder continued, “Strawberry Hill is a wonderful place to raise children. I have heard Tony say that he would like a good half-dozen children attaching themselves to his coattails.”
Tony, who had never uttered such a longing in his entire life, smiled like an already besotted parent. He looked at Ryder from the corner of his eyes, then directly at his wife. She looked remarkably flushed, and frankly appalled. He cleared his throat and whispered in a voice that carried to every corner of the dining room, “Should we continue trying to begin our brood after dinner, Mellie?”
“Don’t call me that!”
“But the other names I call you really aren’t appropriate for the dining room. But if you would prefer, if you feel so very comfortable with all those here at the table, why then, who am I to quibble? How about honey-po—”
Melissande slapped her palm over her husband’s mouth. He took her slender wrist between his long fingers and pulled it away. “Now, where was I?”
“Please, Tony.”
He looked at her closely. “Did I truly hear a ‘please’?”
She nodded.
He looked at her another long moment, then said calmly, “You have pleased me. Eat your stewed green beans, Mellie. They’re quite delicious.”
Alexandra, who’d been a fascinated observer, now looked toward her own husband. He was staring at Melissande and Tony and there was a deep frown on his forehead. As for Ryder, he was smiling at his turtle soup.
Two hours later, alone in her bedchamber, Alexandra stood irresolute, staring at the adjoining door. Ryder had said to seduce Douglas. Ryder said that all women were born knowing how. She wondered if Douglas would laugh at her if she tried. Ryder had said time was of the essence, that she must act quickly, that she mustn’t wait patiently, like the faithful Penelope did for Ulysses. Very well then. She would do it and she would do it now. Before she lost her resolve.
Alex doused her candle and walked to the adjoining door. Slowly, she opened it.
CHAPTER
9
ALEX WALKED SLOWLY into the large master bedroom. Her eyes went immediately to the bed and she stilled. It was empty, the covers unruffled. She saw him then and walked quietly toward him. A branch of candles burned on a table beside the wing chair in front of the fireplace. There were only embers still burning, dull orange, throwing off little light and warmth.
Douglas sat in the chair, his long legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. He was wearing a dark blue brocade dressing gown. It was parted over his legs. She stared at his legs, hairy, thick, strong. His feet were bare. They were long and narrow and quite beautiful to her. His chin was balanced on his fist.
She was scared silly; but she was determined, she had to be. It was very possible that her future with this man depended on what she did and how well she did it in the next few minutes. “My lord?”
“Yes,” Douglas said, not moving, not looking at her. “I heard you come into my room. I