“It’s not the least intriguing if you’re the poor sap in danger of being cuckolded.”
“Is that what troubles you?”
Lucian hardened his jaw. “Brynn claims I needn’t worry on that score.”
“And you believe her?”
“Oddly enough, I think I do. In Cornwall she went to great lengths to avoid provoking male interest, even mine. Especially mine, in fact. When she first came to London, I thought she might be encouraging her admirers out of revenge, to repay me for the way I treated her, but I no longer think her provocation was deliberate. She was undoubtedly virginal when I first took her.”
There was a long pause while Dare considered that. “‘A virtuous woman is a prize beyond rubies,”“ he quoted softly.
“Perhaps so, but it’s damned uncomfortable, having a wife every man jack sees as a prize.”
“Well then, perhaps you should enter the lists. Join the competition for her favors.”
“What are you suggesting? That I challenge those witless young whelps to a duel?”
“Not at all. Why don’t you simply try your hand at seducing her? Use that vaunted charm of yours. The best way to conquer a woman is to woo her. I’ll wager you haven’t seriously tried that approach.”
“Not seriously. Not since we wed.”
“You should have. I own myself astonished, Luce. You never properly court your bride and then you essentially abandon her? Any female with an ounce of pride would be put out by such conduct. Can you blame her if she isn’t content with her lot?”
No, he couldn’t blame her, Lucian admitted. He had made numerous mistakes with Brynn from the first, violating his normal sense of fair play with a vengeance. He had demanded her submission, then deliberately treated her coldly, too worried about himself and fighting his obsession to show her the consideration she deserved. He’d been possessive and jealous, and when her admirers fought over her, he’d reacted like an outraged husband, accusing her of playing the wanton, which had only wounded her and roused her resentment further. He’d harbored suspicions about her possible involvement in treason without any real proof…
His behavior indeed was inexcusable, Lucian admitted.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I’ve made a shambles of it.”
It was Dare’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Surely you don’t mean to accept failure so readily- legendary lover that you’re reputed to be? I doubt it’s too late for you to repair the damage, in any case.”
Was he too late? Lucian wondered. Their marriage had begun shakily and plunged in a downward spiral with each icy clash. He had welcomed Brynn’s resentment, indeed purposely cultivated it, deliberately destroying any chance for warmer relations in their marriage. He regretted that the most, the coldness between them.
Yet he wasn’t totally powerless when it came to changing the current state. He had a measure of physical control over Brynn. He knew how to command her passion, how to make her body respond with desperate hunger… But he wanted more than that. He wanted her willing and eager in his arms. He wanted peace between them, and trust, perhaps even friendship. He wanted to know her better, her thoughts, what she felt. He wanted to be able to share his thoughts, his feelings, his hopes and fears…
“No woman has ever resisted you for long,” Dare observed, watching him closely.
“I can see you don’t know my wife very well,” Lucian said almost with wistfulness.
“Perhaps not, but I certainly know women. I suggest you take yourself home and devote yourself to your bride. Spend some time with her. Take her off to the country, perhaps. With all the distractions y
ou’ve faced pursuing traitors, you’ve had no chance to become intimate or put your powers of seduction to the test.”
Lucian shook his head. “I can’t leave London just now.”
“Why not? What is more important-saving England or ending this wretched misery you’ve let yourself wallow in? Besides, I don’t imagine you’ll be much good to your country until you settle this situation with your wife.”
Dare had a point, Lucian realized, frowning. Until now, his country had always come first for him; duty was more important than personal desire. Yet for weeks now his conflicting feelings for Brynn had proven a relentless distraction, despite his vow to the contrary. He would do well to settle the strife between them before it rendered him totally ineffectual.
Perhaps he should try a different approach with Brynn: wooing her.
It would be difficult to win her over. She would likely spurn his advances after the way he’d acted, especially given her staunch belief in the Gypsy’s curse. Certainly he wouldn’t change her convictions overnight, yet he could take small steps that wouldn’t arouse her alarm or provoke her to tears…
The vivid image of Brynn crying in his arms yesterday made Lucian wince. He wanted very much to dispel her fear that she was a witch. He wanted still more to end the coldness between them, to repair the tattered fabric of their relationship, perhaps establish a bond of trust. It was even possible they could have a marriage with mutual affection, if not love…
Tilting his head back, Lucian drained the last of his brandy, not certain if embarking on a new course with Brynn was at all wise. Yet for the first time in the weeks of his contentious relationship with her, he felt a sense of eager anticipation.
It startled Brynn when her husband joined her in the breakfast room the following morning. Usually Lucian had left for the day by the time she rose.