Wicked in Winter by Scott Scarlett

Author:Scott, Scarlett
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Happily Ever After Books, LLC
Published: 2019-09-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Emilia devoted herself to distraction, studiously avoiding her husband. More shopping with her sisters-in-law, more planning for the country house party. More visits with her mother and father—since they were situated just next door, disappearing there was becoming a regular occurrence.

It had been precisely four days since she had last encountered her husband in his study. Since he had brought her to the shattering heights of pleasure. And since she had promptly toppled down into the valley of shame.

He had not come to her in her chamber. Nor had he been present at breakfast or dinner. Nary a word. Not a note. Simply silence. And absence.

Which was just as well, she reminded herself as she sat opposite Mama upon a chair in her mother’s favored salon. They were taking tea. Another excellent form of diversion. Not that she required diversion. Or that she cared her husband had not bothered to touch or kiss her since her ill-fated trip into his territory.

No, indeed.

“How is Papa?” she asked her mother, taking a sip of her tea.

Her father’s health was a constant source of worry for her. Though she visited frequently, she knew from experience that her father’s moods and lucidity could shift quite easily. Though he had seemed in good spirits whenever she saw him, that did not necessarily mean he was doing well. He was changeable as the wind.

“His Grace is doing much better since Mr. Winter sent Mr. Rhodes to us a few days ago.” Her mother settled her teacup back in its saucer. “You must thank him for us, my dear.”

Emilia frowned. “I had no idea Mr. Winter had sent anyone. Who is this Mr. Rhodes?”

“He is a lovely young gentleman,” Mama said. “His father is a vicar, and his mother was a baron’s daughter. We are so fortunate to find a gentleman who is well accustomed to those suffering from the same ailment as Abingdon. Mr. Rhodes is patient and kind, and he rather reminds your father of a friend he had in his youth.”

Her mother did not easily heap praise upon others. Emilia’s suspicions were further raised. “What did Mr. Winter have to do with this Mr. Rhodes character, again?”

“Mr. Winter hired him to assist His Grace,” Mama answered, smiling brightly. “I supposed you already knew. Mr. Winter had the notion that if your father had a companion, of sorts, someone to look after him, he may not so easily find himself in further…scrapes.”

“Ah.” Discomfited, she stared down into her tea, as if it would provide her with the answers she sought. “How thoughtful of Mr. Winter.”

Unusually so, she thought.

But then she realized, not for the first time, how much of a stranger her husband remained to her. He had kissed her. He had worshiped her body, brought her great pleasure. He had married her. And yet, she scarcely knew him, the man she had wed.

The man who concerned himself with her father’s illness in a compassionate manner. The man who was perhaps not all he had seemed to be.

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