“So then ignoring me and this marriage is your answer?” Lavinia shook her head. “Sure, but you would lose a wife as well as a mistress. I rather doubt you want to find another bed mate.”
There was no answer but a scowl.
“Consider this.” She shifted position on the arm of his chair. For whatever reason, her proximity usually calmed him. “I know how to talk to people, can win them over. If you need votes in the House of Lords, I can support your causes and sway other men to them as well. You can do the same for the charities I champion.”
That was an important sticking point for her. Now that she suddenly had reach as a countess, the downtrodden she helped would have a better chance at surviving.
“What?” He stared at her as if he’d never seen her before.
Lavinia laughed. “Oh, you didn’t think a whore could do such things?” It irritated her that men of the ton only considered women of her stamp worthy of one purpose. “You are naïve, Laughton.”
His scowl deepened. “My given name is Percival. I’d advise you to use it, for the title reminds me of everything I am not.”
Interesting, that. “I am aware. You may refer to me as Lavinia. As I asked you to earlier.”
“But only when we’re in private,” he added.
“Oh? Why is that?”
When he nodded, he winced, clearly in pain. “You are my wife,” he hissed out. “It’s the least I can do.”
“I see.” She kept her own counsel on that, but it was a start. “Does your head ache?”
“Fiercely.”
Lavinia rested a hand on his shoulder. “There is a willow bark tea I can give you that will help ease the pain.”
Surprise lined his expression. “How do you know that?”
“Women in my former profession often must care for themselves, for no one will look after them. We are throwaway women, used and then tossed out like yesterday’s rubbish.”
“Ah.” A flush rose up his neck. He dropped his gaze. “By the by, how many people know you were a… lady of the evening?” After he’d struggled out of the chair, he walked over to the bell pull and yanked on the brocade strip. Quickly, a maid appeared in the doorway, which gave credence to Lavinia’s assumption the servants had been listening. “I require a pot of willow bark tea.”
“At once, my lord.” Then the maid scampered away, no doubt to spread the news of the earl’s ailing head.
“Not many. I didn’t advertise my position.”
“Does your father know you are his daughter?”
“Oh yes. I have a younger sister sired by him as well, but since he already has five legitimate offspring, he didn’t wish the responsibility and expense of more brats.” That was how life in the ton worked.
“That you know of,” he said with a rusty-sounding chuckle.
“Of course.” She shrugged. “This is the way of the world.”
“I’m sorry.” The remarkable thing was that he looked it. “I had no idea of your history outside of rumors.”
Lavinia stood and closed the distance between them. “You assume mistresses crop up when needed like mushrooms after the rain?” She gave into a laugh. “We are carefully groomed by mothers or others close to us who have already been through the process.”
The flush on his neck deepened. “Perhaps. I am ignorant of those goings on.”
“You’ve much to learn, Percival.” Saying his given name brought a distinct flash of pleasure.
“Apparently.” He fingered his bruised cheek as the tea service arrived with the butler. “Do you also have a remedy for taking a facer?”
“I do.” She glanced at the butler. “We need a cold cloth, please, for the earl’s cheek. And then please have a maid in here to tidy the mess. With our apologies.”
The butler bounced his gaze between them before nodding. “Of course, Your Ladyship.”
She rested her attention on Percival. “Think about what I’ve said. We shall talk again once you’ve slept and refreshed yourself.” Gingerly, she traced her fingers over his abused flesh, frowning as he winced. “Life is what you make of it, so we might as well strive for a harmonious union. Who knows where we can go beyond that?”
Then she swept from the room. He needed time alone to contemplate the changes his life had taken, but she had faith that he would grow fond of her, try to build something with her.
If nothing else, he was an honorable man even if his armor was a bit tarnished and dented.