Page 23 of On the Ropes of Scandal (With Love in Their Corner #3)

Bedford Square, Mayfair

I t had been two days since he’d legally wed Phoebe and they’d moved into the modest townhouse in Bedford Square.

Thank God most of the rooms were already furnished; Lewis must have done some fast talking in order to land a contract like that.

Otherwise, he and his new bride would be sleeping and doing everything else on the floor.

And since none of the guest room beds had tick mattresses, for the past two nights, he and Phoebe had shared the main bed.

Had that been part of Lewis’ plan when he’d rented the townhouse, to force him and his new wife together?

Damn his eyes. But the staff he’d hired seemed well-organized and worked well as a staff.

Another item of domestication was the fact that Phoebe’s aunt had gifted them with new linens to dress their marriage bed.

The sumptuous silk bed clothes featured navy and cream colors, and one of his sisters-in-law had outfitted the room with heavy navy drapes at the windows and around the bed.

Clearly, they’d worked together, but it made for a comfortable nest, and having Phoebe beside him was comforting.

That had proved a test of his control, for as much as he wanted to consummate their real marriage, he was unable to sort through his feelings for her.

Yes, he’d been courtesans or a mistress for much less, but it was different with Phoebe.

Each morning he woke and saw her round cheeks, the blonde mess of her hair on the pillows, and the eager hopefulness in her blue eyes, he wanted to throw himself onto his knees beside the bed and beg her forgiveness merely so he could have her naked and writhing beneath him.

Yet that wouldn’t have been fair to either of them.

Instead, they’d interacted with each other as if they were friends attempting to play house.

Today, he rose around noon, and eventually he found her in the room that he’d claimed for his study. As of yet, the desk was empty, as were the wooden shelves and the sideboard, but the leather chair behind the desk still had life in it, and it only squeaked when he leaned to the left.

“Phoebe, why are you in here?”

She turned toward him with a slight smile. “Since we don’t have a library in our house, I’m considering using your study in that regard. We can share the shelf space between us.”

“Sure.” He leaned a shoulder against the door frame. “Except I’m not one for reading or collecting books. I’m more a newspaper man or I have conversations with men at my club.”

“Oh.” There was such a crestfallen expression on her face that he immediately wanted to erase it. “There is so much I don’t know about you and your life now.”

Being uprooted from the country and dumped into the faster pace of London must be difficult for her.

“However, I would be delighted to share the room with you. While I work on the account ledgers for the household or my investments, you can read to your heart’s content.

” In fact, as he glanced about the room with its heavy furniture of richly stained walnut wood and dark leather upholstery, he could easily envision the two of them passing long winter’s nights here in front of the fireplace.

“Feel free to visit a few booksellers this week and select volumes that you think we’ll find interesting or engaging. ”

“Truly?” Delight danced in her eyes.

“Of course.” He nodded and pushed off the door frame. “And while you’re out, think about how you might wish to decorate our home.”

Dear God, was there any word more comforting than home ? And he only just realized that he’d not had such a feeling since he was a youth.

“I would like that. Lydia said she would take me ’round the shops in a few days.” She frowned the longer she rested her gaze on him. “What are you plans for the day?”

“I’m scheduled at the boxing salon for general public lessons and to help with open floor bouts.

” He shrugged and closed the distance between them.

“If my brothers are there, I need to speak with them about a few things, and afterward, I must call on my solicitor to have paperwork drawn up now that I have a wife to care for.” Those words echoed the ones he’d said to her nearly two weeks ago when he’d vowed to look after her.

And the babe she’d lied about. Was she even now carrying his child from that one, blissful night when they’d coupled? Did he want to be a father?

“Will I see you at dinner or do you go to your club? Isn’t that what men of the ton do?”

Ordinarily, but he was a newly married man. If he showed up at his club, he’d be a laughingstock. “No, I’ll be here. Perhaps we should plan a short wedding trip.”

Surprise lined her expression. “Do we have the money for that?”

“No, but I would imagine if I broached the subject around my mother, she might be inclined to help us with that.” He shrugged. “I’m the baby of the family and have no shame, remember?” Then, with a wink, he tugged her close. “Will you be all right rattling around here on your own?”

“I think so. Later, your mother is coming by to take me to a tea café and then around to call on a few of her friends as a slow introduction into society.” Apprehension jumped into her eyes. “I hope I’m good enough for those women.”

“If my mother didn’t think you were, she wouldn’t have invited you, for she has a vast network of friends and acquaintances. Hell, you’ll probably come back with a handful of invitations to various events.”

God help us all. Was there any point in attending functions if he couldn’t flirt with the women there?

“Only time will tell.” But her chin trembled. “I miss Aunt Bess. She’d be there to help me through.”

He held her close, and encouraged her head to rest on his chest. “Why don’t you write to her before you go out with Mama? We shall try to get out to Cranleigh once a month, weather permitting. Would you like that?”

“Yes.” The word was muffled by his jacket.

The scent of lavender and lemon teased his nose, and it was quite different than the smell of vanilla and baked goods he’d known of her previously.

Someone must have given her a bottle, but it was no less alluring.

“I should go,” he said as he pulled slightly away, but suddenly, he didn’t want to leave her or their new home, and because he couldn’t help it, Duncan dipped his head and claimed her lips.

Bloody hell, but the tiny moan turned sigh she uttered as she looped her arms about his shoulders nearly broke him, for every inch of him remembered what she had felt like in his bed, and how satiny her skin was against his fingers and lips, and how damned tight her passage had been that first time he’d claimed her.

After settling her more securely in his embrace, he kissed her with more intensity, moving his mouth over hers then daring to seek out her tongue with his.

Since Phoebe had always been a quick study, it took next to no time for her to match his overtures, and soon he was guided by heated desire and the insistent pulse of his member.

If he didn’t stop, he’d have her bent over the sofa with her skirts over her head, and damn but she deserved more respect than that.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Wrenching away, he held her at arm’s length. “Perhaps we shall continue this later tonight.”

She nodded as she wiped the moisture from her lips. “I look forward to it.”

As he fled the room, he cursed himself for a nodcock. What sort of man had a new wife full of curves and fragrant skin at home that he wasn’t bedding with regularity? Yet how could he do exactly that when he wasn’t sure he could trust her again?

Why was everything suddenly so convoluted?

*

Stapleton Boxing Salon

Mayfair, London

How long had it been since he’d stepped foot into the salon? At least two weeks, for it had been before the bout that had caused all his problems.

The second Duncan came into the Stapleton Salon, the familiar scents of sweat, fresh straw that filled some of the punching bags, and the oils they used for the leather mittens brought him back to all the times he’d spent there or with his father, learning how to better himself within the sport.

His brother Alexander came out of the back office and lifted a hand. “Fancy seeing you in here today. Lessons to the public don’t start for another hour.”

“I know.” Or at least he thought he knew. Everything was still a bit murky. “I, uh, needed to come in, reacclimate myself to the cornerstone of my life.” Then he blew out a breath. “As well as work out some pent-up tension.”

“Ah. I know what that means, but since this gives me an excuse to leave off with the damned ledger books, I’m happy to give you advice if needed.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

“Newlywed life not going well? I mean, damn, when Lydia and I married, I swear we spent most of that first week in bed, and…” Alexander’s words trailed off when Duncan narrowed his eyes. “And that must mean you and your bride are still working things out.”

“Shut up, Alex. It’s complicated.”

“Relationships usually are.” When Duncan didn’t answer, his brother continued. “Have you regained all your memories?”

“Most of them, I think. Of course, I wouldn’t know which ones are missing.

” Though he chuckled, the sound didn’t contain much mirth, and there was more bitterness there than anything else.

“I’m glad you and Lewis weren’t there to see my defeat.

” Yet if they had been, he would have never met Phoebe or have been tossed into the murk that he currently struggled with.

“From what I heard, you were holding your own up until the end.”

Duncan shrugged. “He was simply a stronger opponent. It’s a wonder I wasn’t killed.”

“You’ll come back better next time.” Alexander frowned. “I assume you’ll continue to do the bouts?”