The Sherbrooke Bride (Sherbrooke Brides 1)

She looked over her shoulder at him when he came into the room but didn’t say anything. She gave her attention back to the park across the street.

“I saw Dr. Mortimer on the front steps.”

She didn’t respond.

“He seemed a bit strange. He said you were fine, at least I think he did. He must have been very early.”

She continued not to respond. That broom handle was stiff up her back.

“Look, Alexandra, I wanted to be certain you would be all right. Surely you aren’t angry because I was worried about you. I know he is a man, but only men are physicians, and thus there was really no choice. I tried to hurry, to be back here when he came, but I was unable to. I would have been with you if I could have. Come, it wasn’t all that horrible, was it?”

“Oh no, it wasn’t horrible at all.”

“Then why are you standing there ignoring me? Treating me as if I didn’t exist? It isn’t what I am used to from my wife. Don’t you remember? You love me.”

“Oh, surely not, Douglas. It is lust, nothing more. You convinced me of that. As for your precious doctor, why I hope the pompous fool falls into a ditch and succumbs to water in his mouth.”

Douglas raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry if he didn’t treat you as I would have. No, no, I take that back. That is a truly appalling thought. Didn’t you like him? Wasn’t he gentle enough with you? Did he embarrass you more than he should have?”

She turned to face him now, her expression remote. “I told you last night I wouldn’t be examined by any man—”

“Other than me.”

As a jesting gambit, it didn’t succeed. “That’s correct. Your memory serves you well when it is your own ends you wish to serve. I was polite to him, Douglas, but we did not leave this drawing room—”

“You let him examine you here? Where, on the sofa? No? Then on that large wing chair over there? My God, that wasn’t well done of you, Alexandra. It was indelicate of you and not at all wise. Why, Mrs. Goodgame could have come in. Burgess could have come in with the tea tray. A maid could have come in to dust, for God’s sake. I would have expected you to demand that your modesty be preserved, that at least three female maids be present to keep careful watch. No, that wasn’t—”

“He didn’t touch me. I told you last night I wouldn’t allow it. Did you disbelieve me?”

“You are my damned wife! You weren’t at first, but then after I decided that you were, it became your obligation to oblige me—no, that sounds ridiculous. It became your damned duty! It is your damned duty! I want you examined. I don’t want another man touching you, but he isn’t really what you would call a man; he’s a doctor, a sort of male eunuch, and he’s paid to touch you and to know what it is he’s touching. Dammit, Alexandra, what did you do to him?”

“Oh yes, your superior Dr. Mortimer is a man, Douglas! He spouted all your precious male nonsense. He treated me as if I were a child, a stupid child at that. Besides, how can he possibly know what he’s doing? He isn’t a woman; he isn’t built like a woman. How can he know how a woman works and when something isn’t working right?”

“I won’t argue with you about this, Alexandra. I will ask him to come back. If you wish it, I will remain with you and keep an eye on him, if that is what concerns you. That is what I wished to do today. Now, enough. Would you like to go riding to Richmond? We could take a picnic. I wouldn’t be able to attack you—to reward you, that is—there would be too many people about. What do you say?”

She could only stare at him. “Douglas, don’t you realize what you did?”

“You are irritating me, Alexandra.”

“You went against my wishes. You didn’t even consult me. I will not tolerate that sort of thing, Douglas.”

He turned red and actually yelled at her, “Damn you, you are my wife. Can’t you understand that if I get you with child, you could die? I don’t want to kill you!”

“Why?” Her voice was now soft as butter, and Douglas heard the change and wanted to kick himself.

“Don’t try your bloody guile on me, madam. Go change into your riding habit. You have fifteen minutes. If you are late, I shall lose you in the maze.”

It was a start, Alexandra thought, as she climbed the stairs. It was a very promising start.

However, not half an hour later, she wanted to kick him. Her promising start had fallen into ashes.

CHAPTER

20

“DOUGLAS, WHO CALLED you away so early this morning?” Her question was one of random curiosity. However, Douglas stiffened alarmingly in the saddle. The stallion he kept in London, Prince by name, a huge roan gelding, didn’t like the stiffening and danced sideways. Alexandra’s mare, a foul-tempered chestnut, decided it was her rider’s fault that the stallion was upset, whipped her head around, and bit her boot. She yelped in surprise.

Douglas said sharply, “I told you she wasn’t like your mare at home. Pay attention, Alexandra.”