Free UNCOMMON DUKE, AN by LAURIE BENSON

‘Nevertheless people did witness you together and are speculating on a reconciliation.’
    ‘That is absurd. You of all people should understand our marriage could never go back to being what I thought it was, not after what he did.’
    ‘Well, something has changed and I believe you have some notion what has altered his behaviour.’
    Olivia rubbed her forehead. Victoria had always been her deepest confidant. Hopefully she would not make her feel worse. She took a deep breath and let the words spill out. ‘I told him I wanted another child.’
    Victoria’s eyes widened considerably.
    ‘But, he has rejected me,’ Olivia amended. ‘At least I think he rejected me...please do not tell Mother. I could not bear to hear her prattle on about how relieved she is that I’ve cast aside my pride and started comporting myself like the Duchess I am. I believe my estrangement from him has been a cause of embarrassment for her.’
    ‘I will not say a word to her—however, how could you not know if you were rejected? I would think it would be fairly obvious.’
    ‘Well, I thought he had rejected me. We did not...that is to say he could not...’
    ‘When did this happen?’
    ‘A few nights past. Oh, it was so humiliating. I cannot believe I even considered it, but now I am so confused.’
    Her sister placed a comforting hand over Olivia’s. ‘Like all men, he is a selfish beast who has no notion of how fortunate he is to have a lovely wife. What is confusing about that? We’ve known that for years.’
    ‘He kissed me today. Do not groan.’ Olivia closed her eyes and dropped her forehead into her palms, not wishing to see Victoria’s next reaction. ‘And what is worse, I kissed him back.’ She was such a fool.
    ‘Oh, no, Olivia, you didn’t,’ moaned Victoria. ‘What in the world possessed you to do such a thing? You know he cares nothing for you. How could you be so foolish?’
    ‘I know. I know,’ she whispered back harshly. ‘You do not have to remind me. I was the one lying in bed, weak and in pain, when he came to me from another woman’s bed.’ Why had she been foolish enough to believe he would remain faithful when most of the men in their circle, including all the men in her family, were not? Because she had been foolish enough to believe he might have been falling in love with her. He’d never said as much, but his actions spoke of a man who cared for her deeply.
    ‘Why don’t you tell me exactly what happened? Leave no detail out.’
    ‘I do not know what happened. One minute we were arguing, the next we were kissing. And it changed everything. Now I have no idea if he rejected me or not.’
    ‘You love children. You are a wonderful mother to Nicholas and a doting aunt to my three. I understand why you would want another child, but you know what will happen. Men cannot remain faithful. It is not in their nature. I know that for certain. However, I never fell in love with Haverstraw and care not about his indiscretions. You were foolish enough to fall in love with Winter and the moment he turned to another, you could barely speak to him. It pained me to witness how much he hurt you. I beg of you, do not let him do that to you again. I am telling you, he will never be satisfied with just your bed.’
    ‘But do you not see? I’m not the same naïve girl I was. This time I have no false illusions. I know he does not love me. I have thought this through. During my confinement, I will leave for the country. Gabriel will remain in London and I will be spared hearing about his liaisons. It’s the ideal solution.’
    ‘It would be if you had not kissed him back. I know you, better than anyone. If you try and have another child together you will not be able to repress your feelings for him. I saw how much he meant to you. I told you when you married him not to expect him to remain faithful. I told you it is a rare man that can be satisfied with only one woman. You should have heeded my warning, but you