A Yuletide Invitation. Christine Merrill
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Название: A Yuletide Invitation
Автор: Christine Merrill
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: Mills & Boon M&B
isbn: 9781472009203
isbn:
‘She was speaking on the subject of her marriage to Harry,’ Rosalind admitted. ‘I still find it very hard to understand, but she seemed to think it important that Harry was tall.’
Tremaine furrowed his brow, and took another sip from his cup. ‘That makes no sense. He is no taller than I, certainly. Perhaps even a little shorter.’
‘But just right in the eyes of Elise, I assure you. She made a point of assuring me that physically he is a magnificent specimen, and that they are very well suited.’
Tremaine choked on his tea.
‘Is something the matter?’
‘Not at all. It is just I think you have misunderstood her.’
‘Whatever else could she mean?’
He was looking at her in a most unusual way. ‘Perhaps at another time we can discuss that matter in more detail. But for now, do not concern yourself with it. I suspect it means that there are parts of married life that she is eager to resume. And that I have brought her home not a moment too soon. We need not concern ourselves with Harry’s good qualities. If we wish success, we would be better served to improve on his deficiencies. And, much as I dislike the risks involved, we must do what is necessary to make him reclaim his wife’s affection.’
Rosalind smiled at his use of the word ‘we’. Perhaps they were working towards the same end, after all. ‘My thoughts exactly.’
He returned her smile. ‘Well, then. What does she want from him that we can help her achieve?’
‘I know from experience that Harry can be the most frustrating of men.’ She frowned. ‘If he does not wish you to know, it is very hard to divine what it is that he is thinking. Hence our current predicament. I have no doubt that he adores Elise. But she cannot see it, even after all these years.’
Tremaine frowned in return. ‘Can she not see what is obvious to the rest of us?’
‘I think she wishes him to be more demonstrative.’
‘Which will be damned difficult, you will pardon the expression, with her hanging upon my arm. If he has never made any attempt to dislodge her from it, I fail to see what I could do to change things.’
She patted him on the arm in question. ‘You have hit on the problem exactly. She wishes him to do something about you.’
Tremaine ran a hand over his brow. ‘And I would rather he did not. Is there anything else?’
‘She wishes he would talk to her so that she could better understand him.’
He furrowed his brow. ‘They have passed the last five years in silence? That cannot be. I would swear that I have heard him utter words in her presence. Is it a difficulty of language? For I have found Elise’s comprehension of English to be almost flawless.’
Rosalind closed her eyes for a moment, attempting to gather strength. ‘She wishes him to speak about important matters.’
‘Matters of state, perhaps? How odd. She has shown no interest in them when speaking to me.’
Rosalind burst forth in impatience. ‘This has nothing to do with English lessons or a sudden interest in politics, Tremaine. Elise wishes Harry to speak openly about matters that are important to her.’
‘Oh.’ He slumped in defeat. ‘Then it is quite hopeless. For he would have no idea what that would be. The minds of women are a depth that we gentlemen have not been able to plumb, I’m afraid.’
‘Don’t be an idiot,’ she snapped. ‘There is nothing so terribly difficult to understand about women, if you make an effort. We two are conversing well enough, aren’t we? You do not require the assistance of a guide to understand me?’
He paused for a moment and answered politely, ‘Of course not. But you are more direct in your communication than Elise.’
She smiled graciously, preparing to blush and accept the compliment.
Then he said, ‘Almost masculine.’ He paused again. ‘And why do you persist in calling me just Tremaine, and not Mister? If you prefer, you may call me Nicholas.’
‘I do not.’ She stood up and moved away from him. ‘Nor do I think your behaviour proves you worthy of an honorific. Tremaine will do. And you may continue to call me Miss Morley. And now that we have got that out of the way, are we in agreement about the matter of Elise and Harry? Will you help me?’
‘Since it is likely to be the only way you will allow me any peace? Yes, I will help you, Miss Morley. Now, go about your business and let me return to my nap.’
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