A Certain Wolfish Charm(76)

Then someone coughed delicately behind them. Simon looked over his shoulder to find Findley's eyes on Lily. "Your Grace," the butler said to her. "We weren't expecting you, and Cook needs to begin preparing dinner. Could you please come see her about the menu?"



Lily slid from Simon's arms. "Yes, of course, Findley." She threw a glance back at Simon as she followed the butler down the corridor.



***





Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! Lily frowned. Something was wrong. Something had happened, and Simon was trying to keep it from her. What was it?



Lily went through the tedious task of choosing cucumber soup, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, fresh vegetables, and lemon tarts for dessert. She then assured Findley that there wouldn't be any changes to the household after her and Oliver's departure.



That thought brought her back to her conundrum. What had happened between Oliver and Simon that had rendered such an obvious truce? Before the storm, she'd had the feeling Oliver wouldn't have poured a bucket of water on Simon even if he'd been on fire. Now she felt like their feelings had changed.#p#分页标题#e#



Oliver had needed the influence of a father for quite some time. She'd often thought about marrying, simply so he could have a male presence in his life. But the situation never presented itself, and she never went in search of a husband. She was much more content to lead a rather solitary existence.



Lily twisted the wedding band on her finger. Until now, that is. Now all she could think about was how to get back upstairs to Simon. She flushed as she imagined him shrugging out of his sodden clothes. Then he would sink his lean body into a warm bath.



Lily called for Findley. The man appeared as if by magic. How did they do that? She shook her head. No matter.



"Findley, would you have Cook send lunch up to His Grace's room, please?" The man simply inclined his head. Lily turned to run up the stairs. Findley's voice stopped her.



"For two, Your Grace?"



Lily couldn't avoid the blush that she knew must stain her cheeks. "That would be lovely," she replied with quiet dignity.



She raced up the steps in very unladylike fashion. Thank goodness, no one was watching. Or they would think she was in a hurry to get to her husband. Then they would assume to know why.



And they would be completely right. She wanted him to enfold her in his strong arms and hold her tightly. But even more than that, she wanted answers about Oliver.



Lily didn't even knock before stepping into Simon's room. He was her husband, after all. She couldn't suppress a shiver. The door clicked closed behind her, and she walked farther into the room.



"Simon?"



"Yes, love?" She would never get over the thrill that came with that term of endearment.



"May I talk to you?" she called.



"Not very effectively if you stay that far away," he called back.



"Are you decent?"



He chuckled. "I have never been called decent in my whole life. Why should I begin now?"



"Simon," she scolded him.



"I think you enjoy the fact that I'm not quite decent most of the time. Don't you?"





Thirty-Four





Simon couldn't help but tense up to prepare himself for her answer. She'd alluded to the fact that she liked his beastly behavior in the coach. It would be beyond his wildest dreams to know that she accepted him just as he was.



Of course, he would never be able to fully reveal himself to her, but it would be nice to know that he didn't have to pretend every minute of every day.



When she didn't answer, he called, "Lily?"



"Yes, Simon." She stepped from behind the bathing screen and immediately turned her head to look the other way, her face coloring prettily. "I'm so sorry," she started.



"Lily love." Simon allowed his gaze to travel down her body. "I have been inside you. I don't think it will hurt for you to see me in the bath."



Her hands fluttered nervously. If he wasn't in the bath, he would have gone to her in an attempt to calm her. Unlike any woman he'd ever been with, she was a novice to all of this. He usually chose women who were as jaded as he.



"You shouldn't say things like that out loud, Simon," she gasped.



"Say what?" He couldn't keep himself from teasing her.#p#分页标题#e#



"That you have been… there."



"I'm planning to go there again when I get out of the bath."



"Oh, my," she said, as her hand fluttered to land on her chest. "You're incorrigible." The corners of her mouth finally tilted into a grin.



"There's that smile I love." He did love to see her happy.