Free Lord Portman's Troublesome Wife by Mary Nichols

giving him an heir?
    A baby. A little human being, not a pugdog, not a doll, but a real live human being who needed both parents, not only for a few days and weeks, but for a lifetime of growing up. Supposing the marriage was so awful it had to be ended? What would become of any child then, especially if she had become excessively fond of it? Why had she not brought that up as a point for consideration? No, she decided, he had been jesting.
    She realised he had not been jesting the following afternoon when he called on her at Holles Street. She was in her black gown again and had done nothing to her hair except brush it back and tie it with a ribbon while she sat at the escritoire, writing notes. Janet, agog at the sight of him, forgot to ask if she were at home and showed him straight in. Flustered, she rose to receive him. ‘My lord, I did not expect you.’
    He swept her a bow. ‘Did you not, madam? I fanciedwe had unfinished business.’ He looked about at the bare room. There was a sofa, besides the chair she was using at the desk, but that was all. And Janet had disappeared.
    ‘Oh. Are we still acting our parts?’ she queried, making light of her confusion. ‘I had fancied the curtain had come down on that particular play.’
    ‘No, that was simply the first act. Was it not left with you saying you wished to think over my proposal?’
    ‘Did I?’ she queried vaguely. ‘Perhaps I did not wish to offend you by giving you an immediate answer.’
    ‘Ah, I see. You were the one who was offended.’
    ‘No, my lord, but I could not help but think you did not mean it and were only doing it to appease Sir Ashley in the certain knowledge I would not take it seriously.’
    ‘Now I am offended!’
    ‘Why?’’
    ‘That you should think I am so in awe of Ash that I must do as he bids. He is a good friend, but he does not rule my life. The reasons for my wanting to marry, which I expounded to you last evening, were my own, not his, and the choice of a bride is mine, not his. And I would hope your answer would be your own, not your brother’s.’
    ‘That you may rely on. If you were in earnest, my lord, then I am flattered by the honour you do me, but I cannot agree to become your wife.’
    ‘Why not? Do you hold me in aversion? If you do, I shall retire and that is the last you shall hear of marriage from me, but if not…’
    ‘No, my lord, you have been altogether agreeable, but I am constrained to wonder what it would be like to live with you day by day, when all you want me for is a breeding machine.’
    ‘Good God! You do not pull your punches, do you, Miss Chalmers?’
    ‘It is as well to be perfectly frank with each other.’
    ‘True.’ Her reluctance to commit herself, in some perverse way, made him all the keener to break down her resistance. ‘But I think your sensibilities are too nice. I hope you have not fallen into the notion that we shall be living in each other’s pockets. You will have your life and I will have mine, but in public and when we are with our children, we will, to all intents, be a happy and united family.’
    ‘You assume the children.’
    ‘That is the whole point. If there are none, then I am sure the marriage can be brought to a discreet end. You will be no worse off. In fact, you will be a great deal better off because I will make sure you are well provided for and will not need to resort to the likes of Lady Bonhaven. She is already boasting to her friends that you are brought so low she has felt obliged to take you in out of pity.’
    ‘Oh, no!’ She was aghast.
    ‘Miss Chalmers, surely what I am offering is better than that?’
    ‘Yes, but I am asking myself if it is the only alternative.’
    She turned as the door opened and her brother came in. He smiled broadly on seeing Harry alone with his sister. Such unconventional behaviour could only mean one thing and he congratulated himself on contriving it. Not only would he not be obliged to give his sister a home, but