That Infamous Pearl by Alicia Quigley

Author:Alicia Quigley [Alicia Quigley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nov. Rom
Published: 2014-07-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Alaric relaxed in his library, his long legs stretched out before him as he perused a recent work on the great painters of the Renaissance. It had been a wedding gift from his great-aunt Margaret, and he realized with a sense of contentment that he owned at least one masterpiece by each of the artists mentioned in the work, and often more than one. Perhaps, he thought idly, he would have one of the Titians brought up from his estates in the south and hung in Rowena's bedroom. Or, even better, he would arrange to have Rowena painted by Raeburn. An original masterpiece depicting his most precious possession would be an excellent ornament for his own bedroom.

He looked up with a smile and closed the book as the door to the room opened. Rowena stood in the doorway, and he surveyed her with satisfaction. It occurred to him that marriage suited her. She seemed to glow in her blue gown, her blond curls surrounding her lovely face like a halo. Perhaps she was breeding already. His heart began to beat faster at the thought as he pictured Rowena with a baby, his baby, clasped in her arms. He had never thought much of children before, but the idea of a child of Rowena's suddenly seemed very attractive. If she was not breeding he would have to see that she was soon, a pastime that would be most diverting.

"Good morning, Alaric," she said as she walked into the room. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all." He watched her through narrowed eyes as she approached him, and he once again admired the graceful sway of her hips beneath her dress. His hands itched to close around her narrow waist and pull her close to him, to play with her carefully arranged curls until they presented the same picture of charming dishevelment that they did in bed at night. "How is your aunt?"

"Aunt Louisa is well, or as well as she ever is. I sometimes think she positively enjoys being ill." Rowena stripped off her sensible tan leather gloves and Alaric watched her movements avidly. His mind was far less on her words than her actions as her delicate white hands were revealed. He eyed the settee thoughtfully.

"She did mention that the Burlington ball is tonight. She feels that we should attend, and I suppose I must agree with her," Rowena continued.

Alaric dragged his eyes from her hands to her face. "What did you say?"

"I said that we should attend the Burlington ball tonight," repeated Rowena patiently.

Alaric snorted. "Whatever for? We have been married only two weeks. It is not necessary to go into Society yet. I was never much interested in that sort of nonsense anyway."

Rowena smiled. "We have been married almost three weeks now, Alaric, and my aunt pointed out that our absence is beginning to cause comment. You are a married man now, and not a bachelor. When you were wooing me you attended many social functions;

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