Page 16 of One Jewel-tide Scandal (Singular Sensation #10.5)

“Sometimes, it is more effective than talking.” Not ready to retire for the night and give up her company, Alex led her over the floor.

At the sofa where he’d previously rested, he slumped onto the piece of furniture, stretched out with his back to the bolstered end. “Would you sit with me a while?”

“I suppose, but I should—”

Without waiting for her to finish the sentence, he took her hand and then tugged her down.

She landed on his lap with a slight squeak.

Quickly, he shifted his stance so she easily slipped between his splayed legs, and he eased her toward him until her back rested against his chest. “Isn’t this better?

More comfortable than returning to your own sofa with a cat who doesn’t care if you are there or not? ”

“This is highly scandalous, Alexander.” Though there was shock in her voice, she didn’t make a move to leave.

The fact she only referred to him by his full given name made him constantly pleased.

“Perhaps it is, but there are times when everyone needs a little scandal in their lives.” He wrapped his arms around her, and when she laid her arms over his, heat went through his veins.

“There is no one here, Countess, so go ahead and enjoy this time.”

Slowly, her body relaxed, and soon enough she went soft and pliant in his arms while lacy snowflakes drifted outside the window. “My marriage to Stuart was… comfortable, easy I guess you could say. It wasn’t exciting nor was it the adventure I’d hoped it might be.”

“How so?” A thrill went down his spine at hearing her story.

“My marriage to him was arranged by my parents; Papa was an acquaintance of his, and they knew of each other through parliament.” She focused her gaze on the fire in the hearth. “But I was glad I wouldn’t pass my Come Out year a spinster; there was so much pressure on young girls to marry well.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it.” He didn’t want to say too much lest he distract her.

“In any event, I didn’t know of Stuart’s problems until after we were wed. My mother had warned me that sometimes husbands never visit their wives’ beds, so I was prepared for that, yet I was still curious.”

Well, damn. “You were an innocent.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.” She nodded, and her satiny soft hair glanced against his chin. “Stuart visited my bed two or three times a month; sometimes not even that. And as I said, he had varied and many interests beyond me.”

Shock tightened Alex’s chest. “How did you survive your marriage without any real affection?”

“I don’t know that there wasn’t affection there, it just wasn’t focused on me all the time.” When she blew out a breath, the sigh sounded as if it came from her toes. “I was young and didn’t know better. And he was a good man.”

How to answer that? “Material things aren’t a substitute for physical love and time spent.”

“I know.” Tears were evident in the whisper. “My parents were so happy with the match. It had been the talk of London at the time. My head was turned by the showers of gifts and the compliments he gave freely, but looking back at it now, I should have asked for more from him personally.”

If she were his, she would want for nothing. In any area of life. “Did you have anything in common with the age difference?”

“Not many, but I didn’t mind that, for he was a likeable man. And he had a sense of humor that I appreciated, though some of his conversational topics I wasn’t familiar with because those things occurred well before I was an adult.”

You poor thing. Not knowing what to do, Alex settled her more securely in his arms. “Did he at least kiss you as you should have been kissed?”

“When he thought about it, yes.” She was silent for so long, he assumed she was finished speaking. But then she stirred and continued. “However, Stuart was quite skilled in other things.”

“Oh? Such as?”

When she turned her head to catch his gaze, a blush stained her cheeks. “He often pleasured me orally.”

“Bloody hell,” he said partially beneath his breath and didn’t ask her pardon. What an odd relationship the two of them had. “And coupling?” he managed to ask with strain graveling his voice. “Surely he managed to bed you more than you’ve said.”

She snickered and then turned her attention back to the fire.

“Some months it was a few times, some months I didn’t join with him at all.

” As she talked, she stroked her finger along his sleeve, and his muscles tensed at the fleeting touch.

“I merely thought it was because he was impotent and had difficulties maintaining the hardness needed to accomplish the task. But perhaps he just wasn’t interested in coupling with me. It doesn’t matter now.”

For the first time in a long while, Alex was speechless. Finally, he gathered his scattered wits. “Why the devil would your parents consent to such a match?”

She shrugged again. “Spencerford made me a countess, and I was the daughter of an earl besides. I think they thought social standing and security were more important than personal happiness and fulfillment in every way a woman could find.” Another sigh escaped her.

“I kept busy with a few causes that brought me joy, but eventually, that void was too much to overcome. I did want children, thought they would help with the loneliness, but…”

“Since your husband couldn’t maintain an erection, there was no hope to find yourself increasing,” he finished for her in a soft voice. Well, damn. “I’m sorry. You deserved so much more.” She still did, and suddenly, the urge to give her exactly that took hold in his head.

Yet they barely knew each other.

“It’s sweet of you to say that, but sometimes, life doesn’t come to us the way we hope. I was more fortunate than others, though.”

Words lapsed and silence settled between them, but not one fraught with anxiety or embarrassment. It was simply a lovely togetherness that spoke to a lifetime of knowledge and being comfortable with each other.

How truly odd yet encouraging at the same time.

Charlie continued to snore, while Cleo got up, stretched and then resettled in a different position on the sofa.

As the fire crackled and popped, Alex held the strong woman in his arms all the closer.

The darling snuggled into his embrace, and with a sigh that sounded all too content, she relaxed the rest of the way.

“Thank you for this time, Alexander. It has been lovely to talk to someone about all that has been weighing on me for years.” As she spoke, she threaded the fingers of one hand with his.

“Stuart would certainly have never understood my concerns, and this is something I didn’t feel that I could share with my mother in a letter. ”

That humbled him more than anything ever could even as his chest swelled with pride. “I am here in whatever capacity you should need of me,” he managed to whisper.

It felt right being here like this with her, as if he had finally found the home he’d been searching for all these years. What the devil should he do about that, then?

Eventually, the candles guttered and lowered to nubs and the fire continued to die, and in that silence, the countess had fallen asleep.

Not long after, the butler came in, presumably to ask if they wanted anything before he retired for the night, but Alex put a finger to his lips and shook his head with a wink.

“Very good, my lord,” the other man whispered with a fond glance at her. Then he smiled and crept quietly away.

Alex grinned to himself before he, too, closed his eyes.

This could possibly become his most favorite day in recent memory, and he selfishly wanted that for himself all the time.

Perhaps it was the magic of the season, or the contentment derived from the glittering decorations and pine boughs everywhere, but he wanted to know if this attraction and connection between him and Charlotte could last beyond the complications of a snowstorm.

Would she?