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When Su
The sodden pup had won Su
Naturally the dowager duchess had disliked having such an ill-bred beast at Swindon, but she couldn't order the dog out of the house when Justin approved. The dowager had resorted to mumbled comments that it was natural for Su
As always, Daisy's desire to play fetch exceeded Su
Su
In an attempt to stave off self-pity, she said, "I'm really very fortunate, Daisy. Most of Katie Westron's dire warnings haven't come true. Justin is the most considerate of husbands, and he is making the house very comfortable." She glanced toward the palace, where men were laboring on the vast roof, in spite of the weather. "My ceiling hasn't leaked since before Christmas."
She made a wry face. "Of course, it might be considered a bit strange that I talk more to a dog than to my husband."
One of Katie's warnings haunted her-the possibility that Justin might have a mistress. Could that be the real reason for his business trips? She loathed the thought that her husband might be doing those intimate, dark-of-the-night things to another woman. She tried not to think of it.
The dull afternoon had darkened to twilight, so she summoned Daisy and headed toward the house. If the best part of the day was riding with Justin, the worst was dining with the dowager duchess. Familiarity had not improved her opinion of her mother-in-law. Most of the dowager's cutting remarks were directed at Justin, but she also made edged comments about Alexandra's lack of looks and dim marital prospects. She usually spared Su
Su
When she got to the house, she found that her husband was in the entry hall taking off his wet coat. She thought his expression lightened when he saw her, but she wasn't sure; it was always hard to tell with Justin.
"Hello." She smiled as she took off her mackintosh. "Did you have a good trip to London?"
As the butler took away the coats, Justin gave Su
He fell into step beside her and they started up the main stairs. The thought of a possible mistress passed through Su
"The Thornborough income has traditionally come from the land, but agriculture is a chancy business," he explained as they reached the top of the stairs. "I'm making more diverse investments so that future dukes won't have to marry for money."
She stopped in mid-stride, feeling as if he had slapped her. When she caught her breath, she said icily, "God forbid that another Aubrey should have to stoop to marrying a mongrel American heiress."
He spun around, his expression startled and distressed. "I'm sorry, Su
Her brows arched. "Oh? I can't imagine any meaning other than the obvious one."
When she turned and headed toward the door of her suite, he caught her arm and said intensely, "You would have been my choice even if you weren't an heiress."
Her mouth twisted. "Prettily said, but you needn't perjure yourself, Justin. We both know this marriage wouldn't have been made without my money and your title. If you invest my money wisely, perhaps our son, if we have one, will be able to marry where he chooses. I certainly hope so."
Justin's hand fell away and Su
Sensing distress, Daisy whimpered and pushed her cool nose into Su
She desperately hoped so, for there was a hole in the center of her life that the frivolity of the season would never fill.
Su
Su
The dowager sniffed. "The first duke was a notable general, but though it pains me to admit it, he was a very low sort of man in other ways. A pity that the peasant strain hasn't yet been bred out of the family." She gave an elaborate sigh. "Such a tragedy that Justin did not die instead of Gavin."
Su
If he wouldn't speak, she would. Laying her fork beside her plate, she said, "You must not speak so about Justin, Duchess."
"You forget who I am, madame." The dowager's eyes gleamed with pleasure at the prospect of a battle. "As the mother who suffered agonies to bear him, I can say what I wish."
"And you forget who I am," Su
The dowager gasped, her jaw dropping open. "How dare you!"
Not backing down an inch, Su
The dowager swept furiously to her feet. "I will not stay here to be insulted by an impertinent American."