Free The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne (Rescued from Ruin, Book One) by Elisa Braden

frowned gently and pursed her lips as
though trying to puzzle through the answer. “Well, I suppose it
plays a role.” She nodded to confirm. “It certainly makes the
thorny patches easier to bear. But I must say marriage is not so
simple as one secret ingredient.”
    “No, of course not,” Victoria murmured. “I
was just wondering …” Her voice trailed off as she debated how to
ferret out the information she wished to know without invading the
countess’s privacy or the bounds of propriety. Deciding simply to
ask the question directly, she glanced around the bustling street
to be certain no one was near enough to overhear. “I have heard
there are ways a wife might wield power within her marriage. Is
this true?”
    Clearly startled by the question, Lady Berne
stiffened and slowed her stride, stopping to face Victoria for a
moment before realizing they were apt to draw attention if they
remained halted. Grasping Victoria’s elbow again and resuming their
strolling pace, the countess murmured, “My dear, did your mother
never explain … er … matters beyond the wedding?”
    Victoria shook her head, a flush heating her
cheeks.
    “Oh, my.” The countess cleared her throat and
opened her mouth to say something, then appeared to reconsider.
    “You needn’t answer, my lady. It was an
impertinent question, and I should not have asked.”
    “No, no.” Lady Berne squeezed her arm
reassuringly. “I was simply collecting my thoughts.” She chuckled.
“I have not yet had this little talk with my daughters, so didn’t
realize …” She waved her hand in dismissal. “No matter. A young
woman should have some idea what to expect before she is married. I
daresay, your dear mother was probably waiting until you’d made a
match, much as I have been waiting with my own girls. I am certain
she would wish for me to inform you of your wifely duties.”
    Victoria could feel the blood burning her
face and wondered if the air around her fair shimmered with the
heat. “Duties?” she squeaked.
    “Yes, dear. Your husband will expect you to
lie with him in the marriage bed. You must do so in order to have
children, of course.”
    “Of course,” she replied hoarsely.
    “Most men desire children. Oh, that reminds
me, you must maintain quiet, my dear.”
    “Qu-quiet?”
    “Well, not absolute silence, naturally, but I
can think of no gentleman who would prefer a great deal of
caterwauling and carrying on rather than a state of blessed peace
and quiet.”
    Cringing at the memory of how she had
“carried on” during her embrace with Lucien on the Gattingford
terrace, Victoria tried to imagine being still and quiet while
Lucien touched and kissed her as he had that night. She was
determined to be a good wife, but in light of this new information,
it might prove an even greater challenge than she had
anticipated.
    “If you manage his house well, provide him
with children, and do all in your power to bring him comfort and
ease, you should do splendidly as his viscountess.” Lady Berne
beamed at Victoria. “There. Now do you feel better?”
    Victoria pasted a smile on her face and
nodded, eager for the excruciating conversation to end. “Thank you
for your gracious advice. You have been most kind.”
    The countess nodded and they continued into
Berkeley Square. The neat, orderly row of town houses was a
familiar comfort. Just as they arrived at Clyde-Lacey House, a
grand brick structure spanning double the width of the other
houses, Lady Berne tugged Victoria to a stop. “Oh! My dear girl, I
almost forgot the most important thing.”
    Inwardly, Victoria winced, hoping this nugget
of wisdom would prove less embarrassing than the rest. “Yes?”
    “As soon as you are able, discover what his
favorite dish and his least favorite are. When you are well pleased
with him, ensure the meal he loves most is served at least once a
week.”
    Blinking in surprise, Victoria absorbed the
advice and nodded. Then she asked, “And I