The Rakehell Regency(294)

Vanessa raised her brows. "Indeed?"



"The world is full of temptations and pitfalls. I did not see it until we performed Pilgrim's Progress. I now fully grasp the dangers of Vanity Fair. And people who scoff at the notion of being a good Christian."



"Not all of the Rakehells are devout. Indeed Jonathan was not always so. But he was always willing to try to be better. If you can accomplish that, it should be more than enough to make you worthy of a good man's love one day. When you feel you're ready to share yourself so intimately with another human being, that is."



Pamela looked down at the carpet shyly and whispered, "And is it as wonderful to, ah, share, as the novels would have you believe?"



Vanessa nodded enthusiastically. "If you're truly in love, yes. Even better. But only with your soul mate."



"But how can you know, be certain?"



The auburn haired woman smiled. "Time. Oh, I know love at first sight does happen, but even it has to be sustained by a solid foundation of true regard, mutual caring and respect."



Pamela gave a slight smile. She was doing that with Jonathan, was she not? Entering into his world fully, getting to know all aspects of his character, and he of hers.



"Thank you for your honesty," she said, relieved. "And now, tell me more about babies."



Vanessa laughed. "Where do I begin! Not that I'm by any means an expert. I had no younger siblings. I suppose you just learn as you go along, like any parent. And if you're lucky, you'll have a husband who's equally nurturing and keen to help. But here, let's start with the basics."



Pamela learned to change his napkin and dress him. For the first time she began to appreciate the enormous joy and responsibility a child was.



She knew she never would have been fit to be a wife and mother a year ago. But now she was determined to move from girlhood to womanhood, with the right man by her side, of course.



She suffered momentary pangs of jealousy seeing Jonathan and Elizabeth together, laughing and easy with one another. Miss Eltham was certainly a beauty, and her fortune and family connections would have tempted a saint. Yet Jonathan treated her with the same indulgence as his own sister, with warm and fraternal regard, but nothing more. He was certainly a most remarkable man.



At supper their first evening they dined en famille. The dining room at the Duke's townhouse was capable of fitting sixteen comfortably, and was decorated beautifully in burgundy and dark woodsy colors. Many fine pieces of china and silver were on display. She felt the contrast between her own home and this one keenly. It made her ashamed to think she had ever counted herself as above the Deverils.



Despite his vast wealth, the Duke was most unpretentious, laughing and joking with his friends, though not in a racy way, and trading reminiscences. They proudly showed the ladies their matching tattoos on their arms, each with their name and town. On their chests, which they refrained from showing, much to Pamela's disappointment, were George and the Dragon, to show their country of origin.



"It's so easy for deaths to be misreported. I lived in fear that my father would think me dead and do something rash," Jonathan confided.



"Did it not hurt?" she asked in wonder.



"It wasn't exactly ticklish, but I've felt worse."



"And were you injured?" she asked, round-eyed.



He shrugged and looked at his two friends oddly. "A few nicks and cuts, no more. I was most fortunate in many respects."



She watched him re-fasten his cuff.



He saw her observing him closely and said with a grin, "Never mind this talk of the war. We have a new campaign to fight. We shall show you off to the world, and leave no corner of Bath unseen."



Jonathan was as good as his word. Every day they drove out to sightsee or pay calls to introduce her to the best society. Jonathan was proud of all her hard work back home, and determined that she should have a good time as her reward.



The Baths, the Abbey, the Assembly rooms, were all far more beautiful than she had recalled from her few past visits. It was of course delightful to be exposed to so many exciting places and sensations, but sharing them with Jonathan made them even more thrilling.



He was ever at her side, taking her arm or hand, wrapping a shawl more securely about her shoulders, talking easily with her about all manner of fascinating subjects, with her for every meal. From the moment she awoke in the morning, until they retired for the night, he was always close at hand. Pamela was sure she could foresee a day when he would get down on bended knee.



Of course, he was not the only man in Bath. They flocked around her when they heard she was unattached, with so many thousands a year. Pity the vicar and her dragon of an aunt were always around so much to make sure she did not get up to any mischief, they all said.