Page 22 of The Blind Lyon (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Olivia nodded. “That’s how it was with my husband. We fought—I even tried to kill him twice—but in the end, we realized we had more in common than not, and that there was no one else for me over him. Of course, this was during Christmastide, so that helped.”

At the last second, Annette snapped her gaping jaw shut. “You tried to kill him?”

The other woman nodded, while the captain’s wife snickered. “It’s a long story, and a bit of a misunderstanding, but it’s neither here nor there now.”

“Especially since you can’t keep your hands off him?” Hattie said with a knowing glance at the viscountess.

“I don’t mind admitting to it, and there is no shame in it either.” But there was a faint blush in her cheeks. “Ashbury is skilled between the sheets.”

Hattie laughed at that. “Thankfully, my husband’s skill isn’t merely defined to the bed.

” She winked at Annette. “We enjoy intercourse all over the house, but my favorite is when he lifts me up and drives into me against the wall. Just knowing he can’t control himself and needs me right that moment?

” She gave into a shiver. “Mmm, it’s so lovely, and he’s so strong. I adore when he shows off his form.”

“I think we can all agree the captain is quite easy on the eyes,” the countess said.

While the other ladies laughed, Annette bounced her gaze between them.

Should she feel scandalized at such talk?

But then, coupling was a vital part of a marriage.

Hadn’t she enjoyed that with Timothy and now with Peregrine?

“I’ll admit I am quite… content in what the duke and I do in that vein.

He is delicious in that regard.” When they came together, he was very attentive to detail, perhaps due to his loss of sight, but he certainly made sure she’d been thoroughly pleasured each time.

With a grin of her own, she added, “I have been surprised and delighted in Peregrine since we’ve wed.

” Then she told them how she’d been so fearful that she hadn’t come out of her room, and what the duke had done in the interim.

“That is the mark of a good man,” Adriana said then she took a sip of her tea. “I have always respected Masterson. Now I do even more.”

Hattie nodded. “As do I. He took care of me during a horrible duel my husband was in during the winter. Masterson was nothing but kind and respectful. That spoke to his character as well. I’ll wager he has a lovely sense of humor, too.”

“He does. It was surprising.” She couldn’t help her grin, and for the first time she felt as if she would be able to get by in society, for the mere reason that the duke was liked by everyone.

Of course, it helped that the ladies in her drawing room were so accepting.

“I am always taken aback with how romantic he is.”

Truly, she was quite fortunate.

“Might I tell you ladies a secret?” Olivia asked in a low voice as she cast a glance around at them.

One by one, they all nodded.

“Well…” The viscountess’ smile was almost angelic. “I am increasing. Due in another five months or so.”

Exclamations of delight went through the assembled ladies.

“How wonderful,” Annette said as envy stabbed through her chest. “I’m sure you must be quite excited.” A trace of tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.

Lady Pennington clasped her hand. “I know that look. You have lost infants.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.” A shuddering sigh escaped her, and having someone to talk to about it was lovely. “Two.” She nodded and met each woman’s eyes. “It breaks my heart that I don’t have that piece of my first husband.”

Such compassion and understanding filled the countess’s expression, that Annette wanted to cry again. “I’m so sorry and know what you’re going through, because it happened to me as well.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” For a moment, Annette and the countess shared a moment. “I have tried hard to keep those losses in my past, but sometimes I feel the grief more acutely.” She glanced at the viscountess. “Please don’t think that I’m jealous. I truly am excited for you.”

Olivia nodded. “You’re still emotional and not over losing those babes,” she noted. “Eventually, it will get easier. You won’t forget, of course, but remembering those secret dreams won’t hurt so badly.”

“Thank you.” She set her teacup on her saucer. “What if I can’t give Masterson an heir…or any babe, for that matter?” It was always at the uppermost in her mind.

“Oh, my dear.” Adriana patted her hand. “Then you can’t. That is out of your control. If you continue to worry over this, it will drive you mad. Trust me on that, but the duke will still love you no matter what happens.”

Annette snorted. “He doesn’t love me now.”

“Are you sure? After what that man did for you in the beginning?” She shook her head. “I’d say that smacks exactly of love.”

Was that true? Her spirits buoyed slightly. “But he hasn’t said anything to that effect.”

“Does he need to? Actions show the state of his heart and mind. Any of us can attest to that with our own husbands.”

The other ladies nodded.

Olivia smiled. “Trust the duke, Annette. He’ll declare himself eventually. Perhaps he wishes to be sure, so he doesn’t frighten you.”

That made sense. “You’re right. I’m being a silly goose, for Timothy nearly had cold feet in the beginning.” How had she not remembered?

The countess nodded. “The question now is, will you be able to love him?”

All three women peered expectantly at her.

“Oh, I…” Heat filled her cheeks. “I don’t know. It is taking everything that I am to remain outside of my rooms. This is all quite new for me.”

“Understandable.” Adriana removed her hand from Annette’s. “Will you throw him over for a ghost? For the memories of the past?”

“That nearly happened with my husband. I could had sworn he was still in love with the woman who first held his heart.” The viscountess gasped as she looked at Annette. “That doesn’t seem fair to the man the duke is and all he’s done for you.”

“I know.” The heat intensified to her chest. “It is complicated. However, he has certainly made an impression on me, and…” She forced a swallow into her suddenly dry throat. “I like him more than perhaps is good for me.”

Silence reigned in the room for a bit while teacups were refreshed and another round of pastries was selected.

Finally, it was the captain’s wife who broke the quiet.

“If it makes a difference, all of us were uncertain of how our unions would evolve or where we would go within them. The key is to extend trust, compassion, and compromise to your husband. Let him show you who he is deep within, and you do the same for him.” She shrugged.

“Sometimes loves sneaks up on a person without them noticing, but don’t lose hope. ”

“That is so true.” The countess nodded and offered a smile. “And then you realize he is exactly what you wanted all along, and you can’t imagine living life without your husband. One day you’ll wake up and just know deep in your bones that everything is well.”

“And that you’re suddenly… happy again,” Olivia said with tears in her own eyes.

“It will take you by surprise, but it will be all the sweeter because of that, so don’t rush things.

They will happen in their own time.” She clasped Annette’s hand from the other sofa.

“Right now, try to enjoy what is in front of you. The beginning is always the best.”

One of her eyebrows rose. “Always?”

Olivia blushed. “Well, not always. I still enjoy my husband regularly.”

“So do I,” Adriana said with a twinkle in her eyes. “He is just so… delicious. Mrs. Dove-Lyon might be many things, but she certainly manages to find the most stubborn and best-looking victims—I mean men—at her gaming hell. I must wonder if that’s because she enjoyed a very healthy carnal life.”

Another round of giggles went through the company.