A Most Unsuitable Earl (Regency Collection Book 3) Read online

  “I’ll pray you have a son,” her father continued, breaking her from her thoughts. “A healthy one, of course. With any luck, you will be spared from having to go through the process of trying for another child.” After a moment, he added in a hesitant tone, “Was your husband gentle with you?”

  She knew very well she couldn’t come out and tell him that she anticipated her moments alone with Ethan. For one, he’d never believe it. And two, it didn’t seem appropriate to discuss such personal matters with her father. As it was, he couldn’t bring himself to accept the fact that she was happy with Ethan. Finally, she decided to simply state the truth, hoping he accepted it. “Yes, Father, he was gentle with me.”

  By the relief on his face, she was assured he did, indeed, accept it, and she was more than relieved to know he finally believed Ethan could do something good.

  Eager to talk about the impending arrival of her child, she turned the conversation to the names she was considering giving the child. The ploy worked, and soon they were having a good discussion, much like the ones they had enjoyed in the past.

  After she left his townhouse, she was debating whether or not to leave a request to visit Claire when she saw Claire leaving her townhouse. She tapped on the ceiling of the carriage to signal the driver to stop. As her carriage stopped, she waved to Claire from her window. Claire headed in her direction, and Catherine’s footman opened the carriage door in time for her to call out a greeting.

  “Good afternoon, Lady Roderick! I was hoping to have a word with you. Do you have time or should we talk later?”

  “I was on my way shopping and wouldn’t mind the company,” Claire replied.

  “I can take you since I’m out anyway.”

  “Let me tell my footman to put my carriage back.”

  Catherine nodded and sat back in her seat as she waited for her friend to return. When she did, Catherine asked, “Where do you want to shop?”

  “Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. I’m getting my husband a new pocket watch.”

  “Tell the driver to take us to Rundell, Bridge, and Rundell,” Catherine told the footman.

  He indicated he would and shut the door, finally giving Catherine time alone with Claire. She waited until the coachman urged the horses forward before speaking.

  “Claire, we’ve only known each other for a short time, but I was wondering if I might ask you something of a personal nature?”

  Claire set her reticule on the seat and clasped her hands in her lap. Interested, she turned her full attention to Catherine. “Of course. What is it?”

  “Well…” She’d never actively discussed anything like this with someone. Sure, her mother-in-law was open about what happened in the bedchamber on the day she married Ethan, but after that, her mother-in-law hadn’t said anything else on topic. And Catherine wasn’t about to confide in her. It seemed inappropriate to talk to a mother about her son in that way. So really, her only option was to talk to Claire, and if Claire decided the topic was too personal, Catherine would forget the matter. Gathering her courage, Catherine glanced away from her friend and murmured, “Do you enjoy being intimate with your husband?”

  “Do I enjoy what?” Claire pressed, leaning forward. “I’m sorry, Catherine, but I didn’t hear everything you said.”

  Forcing her voice to be louder, she asked her question again, her face warming as she did so.

  “Yes, I do,” Claire replied.

  Relieved, Catherine finally made eye contact with her friend. “You do?”

  “I just said I did. What is this about?”

  “You’ll think it’s silly, but I thought I was the only lady who enjoyed the marital bed. I thought maybe there was something wrong with me.”

  “I can see why you thought that. It’s not something we’re encouraged to discuss. Well, my sister doesn’t mind discussing it, but then she’s always been outspoken when it’s just the two of us. But rest assured that you’re not the only lady who enjoys moments alone with her husband.”

  The tension in Catherine’s body eased, and she smiled. “I’m glad I can talk freely with you.”

  Claire returned her smile. “If you can’t talk to your friends, who can you talk to?” After a moment, she asked, “Are you happy with your husband…outside the bedchamber?”

  “I am. My father doesn’t believe me, no matter how often I tell him. He might never accept my marriage. Ethan is completely different from what I thought he was. I’m not at liberty to say how. I made a promise to him I wouldn’t, but I was very pleased when I discovered his true nature.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I think we enjoy intimate moments with our husbands because we enjoy our time with them outside the bedchamber.”

  The carriage came to a stop, and Catherine looked out the window. “We’re here. Maybe I should give Ethan a gift, too. His birthday is coming up soon.”

  “I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t. There’s no reason why ladies should receive all the gifts.”

  Deciding she’d also get Ethan a pocket watch, she waited for the footman to open the door and left the carriage with Claire to do some shopping.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ethan hurried to the Western Exchange. It was already a couple minutes past two. If his mother hadn’t delayed him with talk of naming the baby, he would have been here sooner. Sneaking out to help Agatha was proving to be harder ever since he got married. Fortunately, Catherine was busy fitting a dress for the ball that night at Lord and Lady Roderick’s. He didn’t know why Catherine fretted over the right dress to wear. It wasn’t like she was still trying to find a husband, but she claimed that she wanted to look good for him. It was sweet she thought of him, so he didn’t mind. And truth be told, it worked to his advantage since he only had to deal with his mother on the way out of the townhouse. Too bad his mother didn’t agonize over what dress to wear when she went to balls.

  Ethan pushed the thought aside as he arrived at the Western Exchange where merchants sold their wares at different booths. Ignoring them, he scanned the crowd for Agatha who said she’d be dressed as Mr. Horlock. He found her in her disguise soon enough, and to his surprise, she was talking to Christopher. Ethan headed in their direction. Christopher, the first one to look in his direction, waved a greeting to him.

  “You’re unusually happy,” Agatha said, using her Mr. Horlock voice.

  “It’s a pleasant day,” Ethan replied with a shrug. “The sun’s out, people are smiling, colors are more vibrant—”

  Christopher laughed. “Colors are more vibrant?”

  “They are,” Ethan insisted.

  “I think your wife has something to do with that ridiculous grin on your face,” Christopher said with a snicker.

  Ethan sighed. He should have known his friend couldn’t refuse the opportunity to tease him.

  “And to think that two months ago, you were bemoaning the fact that you had to go to the church to read the Banns,” Christopher continued.

  “He was bemoaning it?” Agatha asked.

  Like she didn’t know! But since she was supposed to be Mr. Horlock, she had to play the part of the gentleman who didn’t know any of this.

  “His bride was crying, her father was glowering at him, and he kept wincing as if he were in pain,” Christopher told her.

  Just as Ethan suspected, Christopher had enjoyed the whole sordid affair. He thought he saw amusement on Christopher’s face that day.

  She joined Christopher in laughing. “That must have been a sight! I’m sorry I missed it.”

  Deciding not to let Christopher bother him, he gave an exaggerated shrug. “There might have been a little uncertainty going into the marriage.”

  “Your bride sobbed through the whole thing,” Christopher added, which made her laugh harder than before.

  “Tears of joy…at least as time went on,” Ethan replied. Eager to put the matter to rest, he turned to Agatha. “However, I’m not here to discuss my marriage. I hear you have a manuscript for me.” />
  She grew serious and cleared her throat. “Yes. I appreciate your taking the time to do this.”

  “Do what?” Christopher asked as she handed the manuscript to Ethan.

  Ethan decided to answer for her. “I know the publisher of Minerva Press and told him I knew a talented author whose manuscript I’d deliver to him.”

  “Just because he knows the publisher, it doesn’t mean he’ll accept my manuscript,” she clarified. “He rejected the other manuscripts I wrote.”

  “If you don’t mind my being so bold, what do you write?” Christopher asked her.

  “Gothic horror with some,” she lowered her voice, “romance in it.”

  “Some what?”

  “Romance in it.”

  “What is that book about?”

  “The usual. A castle reported to be haunted, a heroine whose life is in danger, a hero who saves her,” she mumbled. “Things you wouldn’t be interested in,” she rushed out. “I must take my leave.” She turned to Ethan and bowed. “Thank you, Lord Edon.”

  “What a strange gentleman,” Christopher commented as she scurried away as if her rear end had caught on fire.

  “Yes, Mr. Horlock is stranger than you think,” Ethan replied, wondering what Christopher would do if he knew the truth. “And you needn’t keep laughing over what happened at my wedding. Catherine and I are quite happy now.”

  “I hear that her father is still distraught.”

  “There’s nothing I can do about him.”

  “I suppose not, but at least he isn’t making you clean stables or chamber pots.”

  “You’re never going to forgive Lord Roderick for doing that, are you?” Ethan asked as they strolled by some of the booths.

  “I like to think ‘forget’ is a better word,” Christopher replied. “Forgiveness is something I have to do. Every Sunday I’m reminded to do that, but I think I can remember what happened since I never want to fall under Lord Roderick’s bad graces again.”

  “Speaking of Lord Roderick, do you plan to attend his ball tonight?”

  “My guardian requires it, so I have no choice.”

  Surprised, Ethan stopped and studied him. “Lord Clement is making you go? Why?”

  “Probably so he can keep an eye on me. He’s afraid I’ll get into a brawl or something worse. Just because I upset a couple of gentlemen in the past, it doesn’t mean I still go around drinking and spouting my mouth off.”

  Resisting the urge to chuckle since he had to admit Christopher did say some of the funniest things when he had been drunk in the past, Ethan cleared his throat. With a solemn expression, he said, “It’s not good to get drunk anyway. That’s how most gentlemen lose their money at the gambling hells. Part of my secret to winning so many games was that I didn’t drink while playing.”

  “I don’t get drunk anymore. I know better. My guardian would have me stay at Lord Roderick’s again.” He went over to a booth where a merchant was selling leather gloves. “I could use new gloves when I go horse riding. How much for a pair?” he asked the merchant.

  The merchant told him the price.

  He groaned and put them back on the table and looked at Ethan. “My guardian doesn’t allow me enough money to do anything.”

  “I’ll buy you the gloves,” Ethan said.

  “You will?”

  “Yes, but with the stipulation that you must never mention chamber pots or cleaning stables ever again when I’m around.”

  Christopher hesitated, his gaze going from the gloves to Ethan then back to the gloves. Finally, he sighed. “All right. I agree to your requirement.”

  “Good.” Ethan paid for the gloves and gave them to his friend. “There. Now, you can ride your horse and look fashionable.” As they left the booth, he caught sight of a booth with a drawing pad and pencils. “I think I’ll buy Catherine a gift while I’m here.”

  “Things must really be going well with you and your wife if you’re buying something for her. Unless you’re hoping she’ll go off into a corner somewhere and draw so she leaves you alone.”

  He grinned at the teasing tone in his friend’s voice. “I would never do that to her. She’s a lovely lady. I wouldn’t mind it if you went off into a corner, though,” he joked.

  “It’s a sad state of affairs when a gentleman thinks he’s funny and he’s not,” Christopher retorted.

  Ignoring him, Ethan went to the other booth and paid for a new pad and some pencils to give to Catherine.

  “Thank you for the gloves,” Christopher said, “and I’ll see you tonight at Lord Roderick’s.”

  Ethan nodded and made his purchase. Once he did, he went to Minerva Press to drop off Agatha’s story then went to the townhouse to get ready for the ball.

  ***

  It was the first ball Ethan and Catherine attended since their wedding, and Ethan had to admit going to a ball wasn’t so bad with her by his side. Tonight no eager mothers would be trying to pair him up with their daughters since he was already married.

  Catherine squeezed his arm affectionately. “Thank you for bringing me here,” she said as they entered the ballroom.

  Noting the excitement in her eyes, he smiled. “You’re beautiful.”

  She glanced at her blue gown. “Claire helped me pick this out.”

  “No. I didn’t mean the dress. I meant you. You’re beautiful.”

  Her face grew pink, and she lowered her gaze.

  He tipped her chin upward and whispered, “You’re a very lovely person, both to look at and to be with.”

  “What a splendid ball,” his mother exclaimed, coming up behind him.

  He gave a slight jerk. “Mother, I wish you wouldn’t creep up on me like that.” It seemed to him the lady delighted in startling him.

  She waved aside his comment and focused on Catherine. “Is your father planning to attend this ball?”

  “I think so,” she replied.

  “Good. I’ll go see if I can find him. I’d like to see how he’s faring since he last visited.”

  As she left, Ethan considered asking Catherine if she wanted to dance, but Lady Roderick approached her. “I’m glad you could make it.”

  Catherine turned to her friend and started talking. Ethan tuned them out and scanned the room to see who else was there. He didn’t want to be dragged into talking to Lord Roderick or anyone else who might bore him with a political discussion. He found a couple gentlemen who frequented the gambling hells. They cared for politics as much as he did.

  He offered Catherine and Lady Roderick a smile before he went over to the three gentlemen who were laughing. When he reached them, he realized Lord Carlisle was detailing his trip to Spain.

  “Oh, Lord Edon,” he began when he looked in his direction, “have you had the pleasure of watching a bull fight?”

  “If you’re referring to my latest encounter with my father-in-law, then not only have I watched a bull fight but I’ve been at the mercy of a bull,” Ethan joked.

  The others laughed.

  “And yet you remain unharmed,” Lord Carlisle replied. “You’re in one piece.”

  “So far I’ve managed to dodge him, yes.”

  “Come now,” Lord Burke said with a shake of his head, “surely His Grace is grateful you married his daughter.”

  “You’d think so,” Ethan commented, his gaze traveling the room, finding his father-in-law talking to Catherine. Good thing he got out of harm’s way when he did!

  “I don’t envy you,” Lord Carlisle said. “His Grace isn’t a gentleman I’d want in my family. I’d rather take my chances with a real bull.”

  “You’d stand a better chance of living that way,” Ethan agreed.

  As Lord Carlisle responded, Ethan happened to see Agatha pass by with her sister. Since she gave him a slight nod to indicate she wanted him to introduce the gentlemen to her sister, he waved to her. “Lady Richfield, might we have a moment of your time?”

  She paused, her sister following suit, and the two approached
them.

  After Ethan introduced the gentlemen to the ladies, he added, “Lord Carlisle loves to travel. In fact, he just returned from Spain.”

  “Did he?” Agatha glanced at her sister with raised eyebrows. “My sister went to Spain three years ago.”

  “She did?” Lord Carlisle turned his gaze to her sister and smiled. “What did you think of it?”

  “It was beautiful country,” her sister shyly replied.

  “Perhaps we should discuss it while we dance?” he offered.

  She accepted, and the two headed for the middle of the room.

  Ethan glanced at Agatha. He knew she dreaded the thought of dancing with any of the remaining gentlemen because she didn’t want to encourage any of them. Turning to the gentlemen, he said, “I hate to see a lady without a dance partner.” He offered her his arm. “May I?”

  Agatha nodded and accepted. Once they were dancing, she asked, “So you really are happy being a married gentleman?”

  He grinned, his gaze going to Catherine who was laughing at something Lady Roderick told her. “I am. I didn’t think I’d be, but my wife is perfect.”

  “It’s a shame not all marriages result in love.”

  “I didn’t think mine would.”

  “I know. You thought your life was about to come to an end.”

  He chuckled, returning his attention to her. “It was silly how I reacted, now that I think about it.”

  “Well, you were giving up your dream of living a quiet life in the country so you could escape the chaos that is London.”

  “Yes, that was my dream, but I find I don’t mind London so much now that I don’t have to put up a huge pretense of being a notorious rake.”

  “There’s nothing like a wife to straighten a gentleman’s path.”

  “Or make it so that he can straighten his path without looking as if he was a fraud to begin with.” And that was a surprising discovery. He didn’t think he’d care for the role of the honorable gentleman, but he found it actually suited him just fine.

  “I’ll consent to that,” she replied.

  “And what of you?” Ethan asked. “What brings you out to a ball? I thought you’d rather pull out all of your hair than be here.”