“I need to understand the problem—as do you—before we can fix it,” Lucien said drily. “But fine, let’s get to the important part. You need to have sex with your wife, and you’d like for both of you to enjoy it. However, you are hung up on something that’s preventing you from just shagging her senseless, as you claim to know how to do.”
“I never claimed any such thing. And there’s no need to be crass.” Except his brother was right. Her fear and agitation and the knowledge that she didn’t want him made it nearly impossible for him to bed her, let alone make it pleasurable.
Lucien rolled his eyes in a thoroughly exaggerated fashion. “Jesus, Con, do not get distracted by the language I’m using. Do you know how to seduce her or not?”
“Not her, no. She’s…different. I honestly don’t even know where to begin. I’m trusting you not to make light of this.”
“I won’t. Not about this. Trust me.” Lucien looked him in the eye, reminding Constantine of when they were boys and they’d promised each other to keep whatever mischief they’d gotten into from their nurse. Neither of them had ever broken one of those vows, not even when Lucien had broken a windowpane or when Constantine had picked all of their mother’s favorite daisies.
“I’ll try,” was all Constantine could say. He didn’t really trust anyone, least of all himself. How could he, when his father had always told him what to do and how to act?
“I’ll do everything in my power to show you that you can.” Lucien took a long pull on his whisky, baring his teeth briefly as he lowered the glass. “You say Lady Aldington is different and you aren’t sure how to seduce her. A woman with practical experience, someone like Barbara, could help. She could tutor you in how to ease Lady Aldington’s apprehension while showing her there is pleasure in coming together. I could find someone to fill this role for you.”
“You’re going to hire someone to tutor me in how to seduce my wife?” Hopefully this woman would have expertise in seducing the unseduceable.
Hell, did he really think it was that hopeless? Clearly not, or he wouldn’t have come to Lucien. His wife was seduceable, just maybe not by him. Still, he had to try since she’d demanded a baby. Which he needed in order to cross the next duty off the list.
“That’s my recommendation, yes. And if you prefer, you don’t have to actually have sex with her—then it’s not being unfaithful, is it?” Lucien swirled the whisky in his glass. “I’d argue it’s bloody altruistic since your entire goal is to pleasure your wife. She’ll thank you in the end.”
Constantine wasn’t sure he agreed. He also wasn’t sure he could do it. Wanting to let go of some of his rigidity didn’t mean it would be easy. “I’ll take it under consideration.”
Lucien’s gaze shot to his, and his mouth opened. But he snapped it closed and only nodded.
After tossing back the rest of his whisky, Constantine stood. “Thank you for your counsel.” He went to place the empty glass on the cabinet.
Lucien deposited his glass on a small table near his chair and stood. “I’m glad you came to see me. I’m sorry we aren’t always as brotherly as we should be. We are allies, I hope.”
“I hope so too.”
“I like Lady Aldington,” Lucien said affably. “Even if you don’t have a love match, I think you two could be quite compatible.”
That assessment should have cheered Constantine or made him feel optimistic. But again, emotion seemed difficult. Or maybe it wasn’t, for he suddenly felt a spike of annoyance. Compatible was so…boring. Just like him.
But not like her. He’d thought she was colorless, that they were a good match. Only she wasn’t. She was strong and bold—hell, she’d asked him if he preferred men—and he was completely out of his element. Even so, he wasn’t sure he could take his brother’s advice.
“Will I see you at the Kipley rout on Tuesday?” Lucien asked. “I know you aren’t fond of Society events, but you’ve been at least making an appearance at some for Cass’s sake.” It was their younger sister’s debut Season, and the responsibility of playing escort had fallen almost entirely to Constantine. Their father couldn’t be bothered, and while Aunt Christina accompanied her, she wasn’t the most reliable chaperone. “On second thought, maybe you won’t,” Lucien said. “Since Father has hired Miss Lancaster as her new companion.”
“Miss Lancaster?” Constantine recalled the name but not the face.
“She was companion to Miss Wingate—Overton’s ward. But now that they are on their way to being married, she found herself in need of employment. Miss Wingate suggested the duke might hire her for Cass, and I was actually able to persuade him to do so.”
Constantine blinked at him. “You were?”
“Once I told him that she’d seen Miss Wingate betrothed in a matter of weeks, he jumped at the prospect.”
“Anything to achieve his ends.” Constantine’s shoulder twitched.
“Just so,” Lucien agreed. “Well, if you decide to come to the rout, I’ll see you there. Perhaps by then, you’ll have an answer for me.”
Perhaps he would. Or perhaps he’d find the courage and ability to bed his wife.
Hope did spring eternal. Too bad Constantine rarely had any.
Chapter 6
Lucien walked up the familiar stairs to Evie’s drawing room, his mind churning. She was seated in her favorite chair near the hearth with a newspaper in her hand.
Gifting him with one of her glorious smiles, Evie never failed to dazzle him. She was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever known, and she possessed a rare ability to put anyone at ease. It was her skill for listening, he thought, something he valued very much.
“Good afternoon, Lucien. Come sit.” She gestured with the newspaper to the chair facing hers as if it wasn’t where he sat whenever he visited, which was often. After all, she only lived a short walk away, and they usually had Phoenix Club business to discuss. Plus, they were friends and had been for years.
She narrowed her eyes at him briefly. “You’ve a scheme in your head.”
Lucien laughed as he settled himself in his chair. “You know me too well. I’ve a particularly sensitive situation to manage, and I need your help.”
“I am always eager to assist in your endeavors.” She set her newspaper on a small table next to her chair. “Who is in need this time?”
“My brother. And since you are already offering support to his wife, you are perfectly positioned.”
Evie rested her elbow on the arm of her chair. “If this scheme of yours involves bringing them together, I will gladly help. I like Sabrina very much.”
“I do too. I think she and my brother could actually be happy if they can get past themselves.”
“What do you mean? I think I know, but I’d like to hear your opinion on the matter.”
“It sounds as if their marriage is a disaster on all fronts, including in the bedchamber.”
Surprise flickered in Evie’s blue gaze. “Con confided this to you?”