Thea's Marquis by Carola Dunn

Author:Carola Dunn [Dunn, Carola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1993-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“He wanted to leave me at home,” wept Penny, hunched on the edge of Thea’s bed, “and go back without me.”

“He was worried about your health,” Thea insisted. “You cannot suppose that he hoped to be able to speak privately with Mrs. Trevelyan, with her husband there, and everyone else. I cannot believe he is still interested in her, now that she is married.”

“Perhaps not, but did you notice how like Henrietta she is?”

“Like Henrietta? Heavens, no. She seemed to me to be quite like Meg, though I did not see enough of her to be certain to what extent their characters are similar.”

“Similar in character, perhaps, and she and Meg are both dark, whereas Henrietta is blond. Either is more fashionable than red hair!”

“Your hair is beautiful. Penny.”

“Most people think it freakish. No, I meant all three are small and delicate. Jason is attracted to small, delicate females and I am tall and...and solid.” She clasped her arms about her middle, which as yet showed no signs of thickening. “And I shall soon be solider than ever.”

Thea’s face grew hot as she pointed out, “You would not be pregnant if he were not attracted to you.”

“Doubtless he wants an heir,” Penny said bitterly. “If I do not provide one this time, he will return to my bed. In the meantime, he is never at home and he sleeps in his dressing-room. I cannot even tell whether he has spent the night at home. I am sure he has taken a mistress.”

“Oh Penny, no! How can you say such a thing?”

“Lots of married men do. I suppose every wife hopes her husband will be different.” Tears streaked down her cheeks. “I love him, Thea. I want him so. The only thing I can think of is to go on a reducing diet and hope that if I am thin enough he will come back to me.”

“Is that wise when you are increasing? You should be eating for two. You must ask Mama.”

“I cannot! She seems to think I should be glad that Jason does not ‘bother’ me.”

“I daresay that is because she was always happier when my father was away, which indeed was most of the time.”

“She does not understand. She will not understand why I want to lose weight. Promise you will not tell her,” Penny begged. “How can eating just a little less hurt the baby when it is still no bigger than the tip of my thumb?”

“I don’t know.” Thea wished she had taken more interest in medical matters.

“Promise?”

“I promise,” she said unwillingly, “but you must promise to eat more if you feel at all ill.”

Penny grimaced. “I feel ill enough every morning without making it worse on purpose. Perhaps I shall feel better. Oh, look, it is ten to three and we have not settled what you are to wear to drive out with your admirer. Quick, ring for Farden while I wash my face.”

She dashed to the washstand and splashed her eyes with a little cold water from the forget-me-not-painted ewer.

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