Page 24 of A Whisper Of Desire (The Disgraced Lords #4)
An hour later, she’d had her bath, and Susan had helped her dress and was now doing her hair.
She’d heard Sebastian and Beatrice arriving, so it should be safe to go downstairs.
She’d purposely taken longer than necessary to dress, as she did not wish to be alone in the drawing room with Priscilla, having to make polite conversation.
She wouldn’t know what to say to the woman.
There was a soft knock and Beatrice popped her head round the door, asking, “May I come in?”
“Please do.”
Marisa looked at the reflection of her sister-in-law in the mirror as Susan slipped from the room. Beatrice came up behind her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Their eyes met in the mirror and Marisa managed a small smile.
“My, you do look beautiful. I envy Susan’s skills. She has surpassed herself this evening with your hair.”
“I want to look my best. Have you met Priscilla?”
Beatrice tried to hide a smile. “She was there to greet us, with Maitland, when we arrived. Everyone is wondering where you are.”
“I’m hiding. I didn’t want to go down until I knew you had arrived. I didn’t wish to have to watch her talk with Maitland.”
Beatrice sighed and moved to sit on the bed. “Sebastian told me of your visit. You know you can always come and talk to me about anything that is bothering you.”
“Was he mortified?”
“Let’s just say I’ve never known your brother to be prudish, but I think your open account of the boudoir sent him into a brotherly frenzy of denial.
He specifically told me to tell you, in future any sexual problems or advice pertaining to the bedroom, to come to me.
He finds it difficult to think of you or Helen as women with wants and desires.
” She waited for Marisa to say something.
“Is there anything you want to chat about? It’s one of the reasons I came up to find you.
I doubt writing to the distinguished ladies who write the Lady’s Monthly Museum advice column would be appropriate. ”
Marisa laughed. “I’m quite sure you are right. The last advice column I read suggested a successful marriage required a woman to take a firm hand when governing the household, be virtuous, and offer companionship when required.”
“Companionship? What the hell does that mean?”
“I suspect their advice is simply to do as you are told.”
They looked at each other and burst out laughing. After several minutes, they were both wiping the tears of laughter from their faces.
“I have found doing as you are told never got you what you want. And it’s boring.”
Marisa nodded in agreement. “Regardless, I have to admit that Sebastian was right. I’ve only been married a few days and we have yet to find our way. I shall give him a chance to explain tonight. If I don’t like what he says, then I’ll come to you for advice.”
“He’s sure Maitland is not in love with Priscilla. I tend to agree. If he were, he would have married her. He wouldn’t have cared what society thought.”
She turned in her chair, nodding. “There is no impediment to stop him from having married her if he really wanted to. I know these feelings of jealousy are silly, but I can’t help it. She knows more about my husband than I do.”
“That’s to be expected, she’s known him longer. She may turn out to be as good a friend to you as she is to Maitland. From what I briefly witnessed this evening, it’s obvious Maitland is not in love with her. I think you should give Priscilla a chance.”
Marisa rose from her seat and grabbed Beatrice’s hand, pulling her to her feet. “Agreed. Come, I have to meet my stepmother-in-law.”
Marisa entered the drawing room arm in arm with Beatrice and the men all rose to their feet.
Everyone was here. Her eyes immediately sought Maitland and her heart did a little waltz in her chest. He looked so handsome, and for once the smile on his face was for her.
He looked proud and the look was open, no dark shadows as if he were holding secrets.
“Marisa, you look beautiful, well worth the wait.”
She ignored the slight subtle criticism, and focused on the word “beautiful.” Determined to banish the wariness consuming her, she took the vacant seat next to Priscilla on the settee.
The men were openly discussing the plan, so Marisa assumed Priscilla had been told of the enemy targeting the Libertine Scholars.
She wondered when Maitland had told her, before Priscilla arrived or after?
“It must have been—upsetting—to find yourself forced to marry.” Priscilla gave her a pity smile and her nerves grated.
“Still, you have a good man in Maitland.” The look Priscilla sent in Maitland’s direction froze the blood in her veins.
Maitland might not be in love with Priscilla, but it suddenly occurred to Marisa that Priscilla was very much in love with Maitland.
Warning bells rang loudly enough to block the other conversations in the room.
So loud that she didn’t hear the call to supper and it was only Maitland presenting his arm that saw her stand and move with the others to the dining room.
Hadley seemed very happy to be escorting Priscilla in to dinner. Marisa felt Priscilla’s eyes follow her every move as she walked next to Maitland.
All through dinner Priscilla watched Maitland as if she were looking for something. Was she trying to ascertain if Maitland was happy in his marriage?
It seemed it wasn’t only Priscilla who needed to know the answer to that question.