Married to a Stranger (Danger and Desire 3)

‘Other than my mourning, I only have whites and pale pastels,’ she said. ‘Those would be quite unsuitable.’

‘And not right for a married woman in any case,’ he agreed. ‘You must shop as soon as possible.’ He shifted in his seat to look at her. ‘Clear jewel colours,’ he said. ‘Deep blue, amber, ruby. Even violet.’

‘Oh, yes,’ she agreed, surprised to find Callum not only taking an interest in such things, but being so perceptive about what would suit her. ‘You have a very good eye for colour.’

‘I used to try to paint in watercolour,’ he admitted. ‘Not very well!’

‘But no more?’ He shook his head and she sensed it was not a good topic to pursue just now. ‘Where should I shop?’

‘I have no idea,’ Callum said. ‘London is a mystery that I am beginning to explore as I would an Indian jungle. I asked Will where to go for a tailor and hatter and bootmaker, and I am learning my way around masculine St James’s, but it did not occur to me to ask about ladies’ clothes. Aunt Clarissa will help, but she’s not back in town for at least a month—her middle daughter is about to be confined with her first child.’ He frowned at her, obviously taking in for the first time just how provincial she was.

‘Never mind,’ Sophia said, seized with a determination that she was not going to be a nuisance to him. Men were not interested in shopping, she understood. ‘I am sure the lady’s maid the butler has engaged for me will know.’

‘A good idea.’

‘What is his name? The butler?’

‘Hawksley. Had I not told you?’

She shook her head. ‘Perhaps if I know the details of the house, it would help … I mean, I should be thinking about the housekeeping.’

‘I told you none of this? I am sorry, Sophia.’

‘You were preoccupied,’ she said after a moment. ‘Callum, I do want to make you a good wife, to make sure that things in your homes are as well run and comfortable as possible for you.’

‘And you are not helped by a husband who does not brief you with the information you require?’ he observed with more perception than she had hoped for. ‘I am not used to having a wife—you must tell me when there is something you need.’

Some affection? More than a tenth of your attention? ‘I will,’ she promised. ‘The house?’

‘A drawing room and a dining room at street level, with the kitchens and domestic offices in the basement,’ he said. ‘I must admit I did not look at those. On the first floor there is the room I use as a study, a room you could have as a sitting room and a bedchamber. Above that, the main bedroom with a dressing room and a third chamber. The servants’ rooms are in the attic.’

‘That all sounds positively cosy.’ For a moment Sophia toyed with a vision of domestic bliss. ‘You will be busy in your study, I will be in my sitting room deciding menus or curled up with the latest novel. Then we will meet to exchange the news of the day in the dining room over a perfectly prepared dinner, or entertain modishly in the drawing room. Is that how it is done?’

‘Absolutely. That seems to be the domestic model. And after dinner we will retire upstairs.’

At this point her desire to speculate aloud faltered. Would Callum expect them to share a bedchamber?

‘Which bed do you …? I mean, which would …?’ She could feel the colour heating her cheeks.

‘I thought you would prefer the main bedchamber because of the dressing room,’ Callum said as easily as if they were discussing the front hall. ‘I can use the one on the first floor. It will be convenient for when I am working late; I would not wish to disturb you.’

‘How considerate.’ Sophia heard the edge in the words even as she said them.

Callum looked at her: a long, steady scrutiny from those enigmatic hazel eyes. He looked out of the window. ‘I am not always an easy sleeper.’

Sophia cast around for another topic. ‘We have not discussed housekeeping, or my dress allowance.’

‘How much do you need?’

‘I haven’t the slightest idea,’ Sophia said. ‘I do not know the house, I do not know London prices, I have no idea how adequately equipped it is or how much entertaining you wish to do.’

‘Then I suggest we wait until we see what a normal pattern of expenditure is and extrapolate from that.’

‘I am not one of your counting-house clerks, Mr Chatterton. Extrapolate indeed!’

‘If you can think of a better method, Mrs Chatterton, then please, let us employ it.’ There was a long silence while he watched her face and then Callum remarked, ‘You may not be one of the clerks, Sophia, but I would wager a significant sum that you are counting.’

‘In Fre