The Wild Baron (Baron 1)

“I know,” Rohan said, yawning behind his hand. “I am tired as well.”

Charlotte beamed at both of them. “Then you should certainly excuse yourselves. Ah, marital bliss.” She sighed. “I do miss your father, dearest. He continued to improve upon his skills, if you can believe that, Susannah. Yes, indeed, he was much sought after. Even by his wife.” She sighed again, then she smiled, a quite beautiful bittersweet smile. “Your father and I always enjoyed being next door to each other. We simply opened the door between us and then opened our arms. I do miss him very much.

“You are very lucky, Susannah, for Rohan’s father gave him excellent training in the art of lovemaking. Speaking of training, I saw Marie Claire when I was in London, dearest. She sends her love to you, naturally.”

“Who is Marie Claire?” Susannah asked.

“She is the charming woman who gave dear Rohan his early training. What were you, dearest—fourteen? It was past time, your father believed. But I discussed it with Marie Claire, and we both agreed that fourteen was just the right age.”

Susannah couldn’t believe she was sitting in a nobleman’s drawing room listening to her mother-in-law talk of affairs, speaking affectionately of the woman who had sexually trained her son and was her husband’s mistress.

“I never had any training,” Susannah said, forcing her chin up. She would not act like a shocked ninny.

“Women don’t need training as much as men do,” Charlotte said, patting Susannah’s knee. “Well, they do, but they learn more quickly how to give pleasure. And, well, gentlemen are so very obvious and predictable in that area, don’t you agree, dearest?”

“Yes, Mother, certainly,” Rohan said, his voice as serious as a judge’s. “Ladies must be treated very carefully, very gently. That’s what Marie Claire always told me. It’s a matter of trust.”

Charlotte gave him a proud look. “How right you are. Now, why don’t the two of you retire to enjoy yourselves. Susannah, if Rohan is like his father, then you must be blissfully happy.”

Susannah looked as if she would scream.

Rohan grabbed her hand and pulled her up. Without a word, he lifted her in his arms, laughingly called good night to his mama, and carried his wife up the stairs.

“I have given this a lot of thought.”

“Hmmm?”

“I mean it, Rohan. You may begin impregnating me tonight.”

“Now there’s a jolly thought.” He tightened his arms around her.

“What I mean is that I won’t run off again. That was unworthy. I was a coward and I apologize. I know this is important. We will do it.”

“My heart begins to race.”

“There is no reason to be snide and sarcastic.”

“Perhaps, but allow me the latitude, Susannah. Otherwise I might be tempted to pin your ears back for that stunt you pulled last night. Where did you sleep?”

“With Marianne, in the nursery.”

“Oh? And what did Lottie think about that?”

“I left very early, before she came in.”

“So you do have a care for appearances. That is a small forward step.”

“I don’t think your mother has ever been disappointed in her life.”

“I assume we’re speaking of that loathsome male demand? Of course we are. If a man had disappointed my mother, she would have told him so. She would have instructed him in proper lovemaking technique.”

She reared back in his arms and stuck her nose in his face. “But I didn’t know anything! I still don’t. I couldn’t instruct anybody!”

“After tonight you will be able to instruct the pope, if the need were ever to arise.”

She sank back down. “I can walk.”

“I trust so, but I enjoy the feel of you. Where’s our racing kitten, Gilly?”