CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“Stormpenny,” said Grace, using her pet name for her husband. “I have something to ask you.” They had just finished making love – for the time being – and she was draped over him in their comfortable bed in London.
“Yes, Millicent,” said Carter, as he patted her bare bottom.
“I cannot concentrate when you do things like that and I must ask you something important.”
“A thousand apologies. I will simply run my hand slowly up and down your back,” he said as he proceeded to do just that.
Grace grabbed his errant hand, then stuck it under her breasts to stop its wandering.
“Now, I cannot concentrate,” he said shakily.
“I insist you must this one time.”
He looked at her in earnest. “Is something amiss, love?”
“I don’t know. Do you and Audsley talk about your marriages?”
“Of course not, we’re men. Do you and Emma discuss it?”
“Of course, she’s my sister. Though all the ladies of Jasmine Cottage have discussed their husbands from time to time.”
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable knowing that.”
“Hush. Emma has concerns about Audsley. She’s afraid he’s in love with another woman.”
“That’s absurd. He’s one of the most honorable men I know.”
“That’s what I said, but it didn’t reassure her all that much. She’s not afraid he’ll act on anything as much as his heart isn’t hers. For the record, I want your heart and your body,” she said, kissing him. “I decided to make that clear, given what a rake you once were.”
“You have my heart, body, brain and everything in between, my love, though I believe you’ll enjoy some bits more than the others. You are also reaping the benefits of my rakish ways, which are, I assure you, well in the past. Audsley has never given his heart to anyone as far as I can tell, other than Emma.”
“He told you that?”
Carter sighed. “We’re men. I told you we don’t speak of such things.”
“If something were wrong in their marriage, what would be some of the signs?”
“I don’t know. I honor my vows.”
“Think, Stormpenny.”
Carter kissed his wife. “You are a tasking mistress, Millicent. I suppose he would make love to his wife less and be gone from the house more. But if Emma wants to know, she should just ask him. If something is wrong, I believe Audsley would tell her.”
“Could you find out?”
“No, my love. This is something your sister and my friend must do together. Now, the hand beneath your luscious breasts has behaved quite long enough and must now find its way to another pleasant destination. What say you, Millicent? May we make love again?”
Grace smiled at her beloved husband. “I am yours always and forever, Stormpenny.”
* * *
Audsley cursed the timing of the note he’d just received from Embry. After a day of working on parliamentary matters, he’d wanted nothing more than to go home to Emma. Since she was sick in the mornings, and so tired at night, he’d insisted that they curtail their lovemaking. The afternoons were the ideal time to lie with her, but now he had to meet Embry. He wanted to break something in frustration.
He found Embry at White’s, reading one of the broadsheets with a brandy in one hand. “Would you like a drink, Audsley?”
Audsley wanted to conclude their business as quickly as possible so he could go home to his wife, but he didn’t wish to be rude to the man who was helping him find his in-laws. “Thank you.”
Embry nodded to a footman, as Audsley took a seat. “My man was able to find the information quickly. It appears that the Moores are alive and reasonably well, though Mr. Moore contracted an illness and almost died on the way to France. Both are working for the merchant to re-pay him for their voyage.”
“Are they being mistreated?”
“I do not believe they are. I know this man and he has a reputation for being honest and trustworthy. I doubt they are being held against their will or working for slaves’ wages.”
“I would like to pay him directly to secure their release.”
“I thought you might, which is why I told my man to pay off the debt and to arrange for the Moores to return home as soon as possible. I don’t know the exact state of Moore’s health, so it may be some time before they arrive, but I wanted to let you know about my progress up until this point.”
“I cannot thank you enough for all of this.” Given the precarious state of his father-in-law’s health, Audsley decided not to tell Emma about this until her parents were back in England. He would hate for her to get her hopes up only to have them dashed if her father died on the way home.
“So, tell me what you think about the new labor legislation,” said Embry, as he motioned for another drink.
Audsley could barely keep from groaning aloud. He couldn’t be rude and leave now, not after everything Embry was doing for him. But there was nowhere he’d rather be than at home in bed with his wife.
* * *
“I’m so very glad we live so close together,” said Grace, as she considered which biscuit she was going to eat next before settling on a molasses one. “Your tea service isn’t to be missed.”
“Mrs. Deakins and Cook are determined to see the two of us extremely well-fed during our confinement.”
“I hope Audsley has returned by the time we leave.” Recognizing that the two sisters needed time alone, Grace’s extremely protective husband had walked her to Emma’s house, then discreetly retired to the library to smoke Audsley’s cigars. Even Deakins had left them alone, asking Emma to ring if they needed him.
“I’m not sure when Audsley will be back,” said Emma, trying not to sound like she was worried. After all, there were any number of places he might be.
“I talked to Carter,” said Grace, carefully. “I asked him about Audsley, trying to preserve your privacy as much as possible, of course.”
“Of course.” Emma had a feeling there were few secrets between Grace and her husband. Thankfully, she trusted Carter implicitly.
“He said he’d never spoken to Audsley about your marriage, but he feels as I do that he would never dishonor his vows. I also asked him for signs of trouble in a marriage.”
Emma wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer. “What are they?”
“Spending more time away from home and exhibiting less interest in the bedchamber were the main ones.”
“One of those is very worrisome.”
“How much time has he spent away from home?” asked Grace as she bit into a cucumber sandwich.
“How did you know that was the one I was referring to?”
“Because, Emma, I’ve seen how he looks at you. I cannot imagine he is anything but attentive in the bedchamber. Have you ever told Audsley you love him? You do, don’t you?”
“Very much so. And no, I haven’t told him. But perhaps it may be time for that very thing.”
And that was exactly what Emma would have done, if Audsley had come home before Grace and Carter departed. Or even when Emma had sat down to eat supper. But she didn’t see him on either of those occasions. In fact, her husband didn’t come home until after she’d already fallen sleep.