She gave a little toss of her head, sending her silky hair flowing over his hands. A few dark tresses rippled down over her breasts, outlined beneath the thin linen of her nightgown. Desire stirred again. Whether by design or accident she was leaning back towards him and he turned away before she noticed his arousal—more importantly before his need of her became too great to be denied and he carried her over to the bed and made love to her. He had to get away from her disturbing presence before he took advantage of her innocence. Before he put her at even more risk.
He crossed to the adjoining door and with a curt goodnight he left her.
* * *
For a long time Dominique did not move. She had seen that now-familiar look in his eyes, reflected in the glass. At times she could almost think he desired her.
Almost.
When she had sent her hair tumbling down her back it had not been by accident, she had hoped it might evoke a response. His hands had tightened on her shoulders even as the desire leaped in his eyes. He was standing so close behind her that she only had to lean back a little to press herself against him and she had begun to do just that, only to have him rapidly move away. She smiled a little sadly. There was surely an attraction between them. It was not love, but it was a start.
Stifling a sigh, she climbed into her lonely bed and pulled the covers over her. She would be a good wife and mother, she would make him proud of her and then, perhaps he might love her, just a little bit. Snuggling her cheek in her hand, she began to make her plans.
* * *
The first weeks at Rotham passed quickly enough. The viscount spent the greater part of each day locked in his study, reading or playing chess with Sir Edward Moorhouse, an elderly widower who lived nearby and called in occasionally. Gideon took his new wife to visit all the local families and the ladies in turn paid their visits to Rotham. When Dominique was not driving out or entertaining her visitors, she observed how the house was run and asked questions of Mrs Ellis, the housekeeper. At the end of the second week she made her first suggestion.
They were sitting in the drawing room after dinner, Dominique at her harp while Gideon and his father played backgammon. When it was time to retire she rose and walked to the door, but before she opened it she turned towards them.
‘I have asked Colne to set up breakfast in the oak parlour tomorrow morning.’ Gideon’s brows rose, but she addressed the viscount, saying with a smile, ‘My lord, on my first night here you told me I might act as mistress at Rotham, so I hope you do not object?’
‘No, if you and Gideon wish to breakfast downstairs you are free to do so.’
Dominique knew Gideon would declare that he was quite happy taking breakfast in his room. Quelling her nerves, she met his frowning gaze with a smile.
‘Thank you, my lord, that room is east-facing, ideal for the purpose, and so much easier for the staff than carrying trays up to the bedchambers. I hope you can be persuaded to join us there one morning.’
She whisked herself away and prepared slowly for bed, half expecting Gideon to storm in and demand just what she was thinking of, changing arrangements that had stood at Rotham since time immemorial. However, she heard his step passing her door, and the sounds of him moving about in his own bedchamber, so she went to bed. She would discover in the morning if she was breakfasting alone.
* * *
‘I decided I would not trouble Runcorn to bring breakfast up to me when everything is set out down here.’
Colne had just brought the coffee pot into the oak parlour when Gideon appeared in the doorway. Dominique’s welcoming smile was tinged with relief.
‘Good morning, sir. There is everything you like— cold meat, boiled eggs, hot rolls in the chafing dish and even ale, should you want it.’ She added, as Gideon sat down at the table beside her and took a generous helping of ham, ‘I shall continue to invite your father to come downstairs to break his fast, too.’
‘You will be disappointed,’ he said, splitting a hot roll and filling it with butter. ‘My father is too set in his ways. He dislikes company in the mornings.’
Dominique merely smiled, content to bide her time.
* * *
Soon her efforts were rewarded. She came downstairs one morning to find her father-in-law already at the table. They greeted each other politely, and even when Gideon joined them no reference was made to this change in the viscount’s habits.
* * *
Gideon was pleased to see his wife and his father getting on so well. His conscience pricked him a little at the thought that he would soon be leaving Nicky alone at Rotham and he was relieved that she was settling in. He told her so as they strolled in the gardens a little later that day.
‘You have made a great difference here,’ he said. ‘My father mentioned it to me last night. The whole place is brighter, somehow.’
‘That is because the wainscoting has been polished for the first time in years,’ she retorted. ‘It is surprising what a little beeswax can do.’
‘You are much braver than I,’ he replied. ‘I should have been afraid to mention it. Mrs Ellis is not one to take criticism kindly.’
She chuckled. ‘I won her over with a supply of French barley and Jamaican pepper.’
Gideon stopped and looked down at her, his eyes brimful of laughter.
‘So that is why you had to go shopping again before we left Brook Street. You were stocking up with bribes!’
‘Not bribes...’ she twinkled back at him ‘...merely a few treats to ease my path—oh!’
She stopped.
‘What is it? Nicky? Are you well?’
She looked up at him, a soft light shining in her eyes.
‘Yes,’ she breathed. ‘I felt the baby move.’ She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. ‘Wait.’
They stood for a moment, surrounded by sunlight and birdsong.
‘Yes! Yes, I felt it, too.’ Gideon gave a delighted laugh. ‘My child.’ He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently. ‘At last it feels real. Is that the first time you have noticed it?’
‘I suspected it before, but it was never so certain.’
‘It is like a miracle.’ He tucked her arm in his again and they resumed their walk. ‘I would like to feel my child kicking every day.’
‘Then stay, at least a few more days.’
Seeing her shy, hopeful smile, Gideon was sorely tempted, but he glanced up at that moment and saw the viscount at the drawing-room window. A lonely figure gazing down at them, reminding him of the perils of loving one’s wife too much.
‘You would soon grow tired of my company,’ he said lightly. ‘Besides, I promised Gwen I would look in upon her at Brighton. Then I have to set work in motion at Chalcots, if it is to be ready for you and the baby.’
‘Yes, of course.’
Was that a sigh in her voice? She had schooled her face into a smile and began to talk on other subjects. It was for the best, he told himself. Time away from Nicky would be a good idea. He was growing far too fond of her.
* * *
Dominique knew she had erred. Gideon had withdrawn from her as soon as she had asked him to stay, the moment she had shown a weakness, a desire to cling to him. Pride came to her aid and helped her to hide her disappointment. She was his wife, the mother of his child, but he could not love her and she must not expect it.
* * *
Dominique’s sunny spirits had revived by the following morning and she stood at the door with the