Desperate Measures (Regency Undone) by Claire Firth Page A

a good man, but he has been damaged through contracting an unsuitable marriage – just as I suspect you have been.  Fond of him though I am, I am not one of those unrealistic parents who cannot see their children’s faults – and Guy has many.  He is selfish, thoughtless at times and impossibly exacting.  But he never sets standards for others that he would not expect to maintain himself.  I was lucky enough to be married to the love of my life - a rare thing in this day and age - and I like to think that Guy and his sister benefited from being brought up in a secure and loving family.  Yet I despaired of them both in their choice of partners.  Claudia because she could so easily have picked a man with a greater modicum of intelligence, and Guy because he chose unwisely – allowing himself to be seduced by the very obvious charms of a superficial and wilful woman.’
    Her gaze switched to where Isabelle was still standing by the fireplace, looking quite beautiful in the cream coloured gown she wore but with an air of agitation about her that was apparent in the way she plucked nervously at the soft folds of the material, her eyes drifting to the door as if expecting at any moment it would open.
    ‘I have watched you and my son together and though you try to hide it, I can see that your relationship is not as straightforward as it could be.  I suspect that I am partly to blame for that.  No …’ sh e held up her hand when Isabelle would have spoken.  ‘Please let me finish.  I am not stupid.  I suspect that you brought forward your plans to marry - perhaps before you were quite ready to do so - because of my state of health.  And if that is the case then I am sorry for it, even though I thank you.  But I sense that you are good for each other, and if you give things time – and exhibit patience – I am sure there is a good chance that things will work out very nicely for you both.’
    Her eyes were sharp as they studied Isabelle’s face.  ‘I am proud of my son, Isabelle.  And beneath the rather harsh exterior he exudes, there lies a man capable of enormous love and friendship if the right woman can draw it from him.  All I ask is that you give him a chance; be tolerant if he appears impatient or mistrusting.  For I can assure you that his heart once given will be a treasure for life.’
    She broke off as the door opened and the subject of their conversation entered the room.
    ‘Ah, Guy,’ his mother said smoothly.  ‘We were just talking of you and wondering when you were returning.  Your wife and I are ready to retire.’
    ‘ That is a shame,’ Guy said, but he was not quick enough to hide the relief in his eyes from Isabelle. He held the door open for them both.  ‘I will see you shortly, my love’ he said as she passed. 
    It was for his mother ’s benefit she knew, but even so his words made her heart quicken at the thought of another night sharing his bed.

CHAPTER NINE
     
    Guy watched them leave, then helped himself to another brandy.  Lionel had already retired for which he was profusely grateful.  Harmless though the man was, he could become incredibly tedious within a very short space of time. 
    He sat down in a chair and pondered the enigma that was his wife.  His reaction to her this morning had disconcerted him and if he was not careful it could complicate matters.  It was one thing to have her grace his table and occasionally, hopefully, his bed, but he certainly did not intend to get carried away in any sense.  He had let his feelings get the better of him once before with Charlotte and look what that had brought him.  Nothing but trouble.  He had been forced to marry her and then stand by and watch as she flirted with nearly every man she came into contact with.  It had been humiliating.  Within eighteen months of their marriage ceremony she had stopped even pretending she had any feelings for him.  She had given him his heir and her duty done, it had not