Free The Guilty Wife by Sally Wentworth Page B

party tomorrow night. I've never cooked for so many people before.'
    'You're not nervous about it, are you?'
    'A bit, yes.'
    'Darling, you have no cause to be. You're a great cook.'
    'Thanks, but I don't really know these people, and they're so important.'
    'Nonsense. They're just medium fish in a small pond, that's all. Now, wait till I get elected and invite the Prime Minister to dinner,' he joked. 'Only then will you be entitled to feel nervous.'
    Lucie gave him the smile he wanted. 'Do people ever really invite the Prime Minister to dinner?'
    'I imagine so, but you needn't worry too much; it will probably be a very long time, if ever, before I get on those sorts of terms.'
    'You'll be a minister in no time,' Lucie said loyally.
    Seton grinned, picked up her hand and kissed it. 'Such optimism—when I haven't even been elected yet.'
    'You will be.'
    Lucie tried to be cheerful and attentive for the rest of the meal, but a couple of times found herself gazing into space again. She caught herself up guiltily and glanced at Seton. He'd noticed, of course, but didn't say anything until they'd finished the meal. 'Go and sit down and rest,' he suggested. I’ll clear away and get the coffee.'
    'Oh, but you've been working all day and—'
    'So have you. Just looking after Sam is a job and a half. Now, do as you're told or I'll put you across my knee.'
    Lucie laughed, knowing it to be an empty threat. 'Mmm, I just love it when you get macho.' She hesitated, then said, 'Would you mind if I skipped coffee? I think I'd like to go and have a bath, relax.'
    'Of course not. Is your head very bad?'
    'It will go.'
    'I hope so.' Putting his arms round her waist, Seton drew her to him. 'Because I have been away for a whole week.'
    'Missing your oats, huh?'
    'But definitely.' He lowered his hands to her hips and held her against his body, moving so that she felt his growing arousal. He had closed his eyes and now let out his breath in an open-mouthed sigh. 'You are the sexiest woman I have ever met.'
    'Good.' But instead of kissing him Lucie leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes on the ground. Releasing her, Seton said, 'Go on; go and have your bath. I'll be up after I've had a coffee.'
    She didn't know how long she had been in the bath, her thoughts full of despondency, but she was still there when Seton came up and had his shower. Afterwards he put on a robe and came over to kneel down beside the bath, where Lucie was staring up at the ceiling.
    'Darling, this water is almost cold.'
    'Is it? Yes, I suppose I'd better get out.'
    She made a half-hearted attempt to rise, but Seton said, 'No, wait. Here.' He turned on the hot tap, then took up the soap and began to wash her. It was something he had done often before and they had both taken delight in it, especially as they knew that it always led to love. Tonight Lucie just lay back and let him do what he wanted, her eyes fixed on his face, trying to fight the misery inside herself.
    He glanced at her from time to time and she managed to smile at him, but mostly he was intent on what he was doing, on running his soapy hand along her arms and legs, making patterns where his fingers had lingered. The bubbles gradually disappeared so that he could see her body more clearly. He soaped and caressed her breasts, the flat plane of her stomach, and on down, delighting in the beauty of her slim figure, in every curve of her body, taking extreme pleasure in his task and knowing that she shared it. At length Seton helped her to stand so that he could dry her off. There were a few bubbles on his face where he had been unable to resist bending to kiss her. Lifting a hand to wipe away the bubbles gently, Lucie said in a voice husky with emotion, 'I love you. I love you so much.'
    'Darling!' Wrapping a huge bath sheet round her, Seton scooped her up into his arms and carried her into their bedroom, laid her on the bed. Opening the towel, he began to dry her, but Lucie put her hands on his shoulders,