A Certain Wolfish Charm(77)
"You like to embarrass me."
He did. He liked to see her out of sorts. He liked to surprise her. He liked that all this was fresh and new for her. But would she feel the same way about him if she knew the truth? Would she still laugh at him? Or would she be disgusted? Would she turn and run from him? He wasn't willing to take that chance.
***
Lily watched the play of emotions on his face. "What is it, Simon?" She took a step closer to the tub. "What are you not telling me?"
"I don't know what you mean," he said, avoiding her gaze.
"I think there's something you're keeping from me." Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I know you didn't want to marry. Or to be a father."
"Who implied that?" he suddenly barked.
"You do want to be a father?" she asked.
"I think I have made that perfectly clear," he said
as he stood up and took a towel from a nearby chair. Water sluiced down his naked body and puddled on the floor when he stepped from the tub. "I came all the way here on our wedding night to search for Oliver. Then I went out in the pouring rain to find him. Then I actually made peace with the little pup. If that's not acting the role of father, I'm not sure what is."
Lily turned to face away from him. He crossed the floor in three quick strides. Lily gasped as he took her shoulder and turned her around, then pulled her close to his naked, wet body.
"Don't ever assume that I'm not a normal man. With the same wants and desires as any other."
"Wants and desires?" she managed to croak out.
"Those, too," he said, shaking his head. "But listen to me, Lily."
She nodded, the water from his body soaking the front of her gown. But she paid it no heed. The intensity in his eyes had her total attention.
"I want you to be my wife. I want to raise Oliver like he's a son. I want you to be the mother of my children. I want to share my life with you in every way." His lips pressed against hers quickly. "I just wish…"
"You wish what, Simon?" Oh, please talk to me. Tell me what's in your heart.
"I just wish I were a different man for you," he finally admitted before he turned away to pat himself dry with the towel. "Could you ring for Oliver's valet?"
"I could help you," she offered. She really wasn't ready to be dismissed.
"The boy's valet will do." He walked away from her, apparently forgetting his earlier promise of intimacy. Lily was left with a soaked gown, wounded pride, and just as many questions as she'd had before their conversation began.
She went to the bell pull and tugged harder than was necessary. "Simon," she began, "I asked Findley to have lunch delivered to you here. I'm certain you're famished."#p#分页标题#e#
"How thoughtful," he replied, looking out the window with his back to her.
"I thought we might enjoy the meal together. I thought we could talk."
She saw the muscles in his back tense at those words, which only made her more suspicious. "Simon?"
"Lily, it's been a long day," he said quietly.
She frowned at him, not understanding him in the least. "What secrets are you keeping from me, Simon?"
He laughed and glanced over his shoulder at her. "Secrets? Lily, you yourself said you knew them all after keeping up with my scandalous exploits through the gossip columns all these years. What else could I possibly have to hide?"
That was a very good question, but Lily was certain he was hiding something. "I am your wife. You do know I'm trustworthy, don't you?"
Simon sighed. "I'm certain you are. If I had any secrets, Lily, I would lay them at your feet."
At that moment someone scratched at the door. "Come," Lily called.
When Oliver's valet opened the door, Lily knew she had run out of time. At least with Simon. Oliver, however, might very well shed some light on the situation.
She strode purposefully down the hall and around the corner to her nephew's room. She knocked lightly and then pushed the door open. "Oliver," she began.
"Aunt Lily!" When Oliver leapt off the bed, a book thudded to the floor at his feet.
"What's that?" she asked, stepping forward.
Looking more guilty than she'd ever seen him, Oliver shrugged. "Just one of my father's books. I found it in the library."
Lily shook her head. Oliver wouldn't feel guilty over a book. He was far from studious. She must have misinterpreted the expression. If he wanted to study some of Daniel's old books, she'd gladly welcome the activity. "I suppose it's too much to hope that it's Latin."