Read Online The Wife He Always Wanted by Cheryl Ann Smith - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Cheryl Ann Smith
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firmly.
Sarah’s flush deepened and her voice dropped to a whisper. “I do not know how to be a satisfactory wife.”
Chapter Five
D o you mean . . . ?” Noelle pressed gently.
Humiliated, Sarah wanted to die, here among the fabric bolts. Clearly her flaming face gave Noelle clues. When she’d said she did not know how to be a wife, she wasn’t talking about dinner table conversation or how to tie his cravat.
“I should not have said anything.” She turned away. “My, isn’t this blue silk just lovely?”
Noelle took her arm and gently spun her around. There was no judgment in her expression, no humor, nothing at all to indicate that she was anything but sympathetic to Sarah’s situation.
“Please. I insist you allow me to help,” Noelle said. “I grew up with Gabe. If anyone knows him, I do.”
Having opened the door to this conversation, Sarah felt that perhaps sharing her concerns might actually help. She’d only just met Noelle, but she felt a kinship with her.
Glancing around, she assured herself that they were alone, took a deep breath, and plunged ahead. “Our wedding night was a failure. I did not know what to expect. The only information my aunt passed to me before she died was that a man pushed up your gown and put his male part inside of you.”
Lud! Mortified over the confession, she said a silent prayer for a heart seizure. The prayer failed.
Thankfully, instead of laughing, Noelle took her hand.
“You truly
were
an innocent bride.” Noelle blew out a breath through pursed lips. “I hope that Gabe was, er, patient?”
“He was.” Sarah instinctively knew that the night had not gone well for him either. He’d tried to hide his disappointment but she’d felt his regret. “He was just so big, so . . . bearded, a stranger. He wanted to wait until I knew him better. I wanted it over. Thank goodness he had the good sense to end the evening before it went too far.”
“Would waiting have changed things?” Noelle asked. “If he took you to bed now, would you feel calmer than you did then?”
Sarah thought about her handsome and confident husband and her stomach tightened. She shook her head. “He intimidates me in and out of bed. But the situation was far worse when—” She could not finish the sentence.
Noelle was kind enough not to giggle, snicker, or guffaw with Sarah’s admission. Instead she worried her bottom lip between her teeth and her thoughts seemed to drift off for a moment, then two.
Finally, she nodded. “I will help you make things right between you and your husband, outside of bed, of course. We cannot let your marriage fail. I have seen enough miserable and loveless marriages. My parents included. Once there is affection between you, the rest will come easier.
The marriage could not fail for more reasons than Noelle knew, Sarah thought. She’d not yet had the chance to look into her father’s death. In fact, she had no idea where to start.
“But what can we do?” Sarah said, refocusing her attention. She looked down at the borrowed gown and frowned as it hung on her thin frame. “Gabriel does not look at me like a man besotted. I think he was relieved to end the seduction so he’d not have to force desire where he does not feel it. Why would a man like him find a woman like me passion inspiring?”
Noelle’s eyes narrowed. “You must not perceive your lack of polish or your thinness as shortcomings. Your neglect was not your doing. You were failed on many fronts, not the least by the men in your family. They were supposed to protect you.”
She took Sarah’s hand. “From this moment forward, you are not to make one negative comment about yourself in my presence, or I will never speak to you again.” She looked straight into Sarah’s eyes. “You are so much more than you see.”
The harshness of Noelle’s statement surprised Sarah. She swallowed deeply. “Are you always so outspoken?”
Noelle’s smile flashed. “It is my best
Sarah’s flush deepened and her voice dropped to a whisper. “I do not know how to be a satisfactory wife.”
Chapter Five
D o you mean . . . ?” Noelle pressed gently.
Humiliated, Sarah wanted to die, here among the fabric bolts. Clearly her flaming face gave Noelle clues. When she’d said she did not know how to be a wife, she wasn’t talking about dinner table conversation or how to tie his cravat.
“I should not have said anything.” She turned away. “My, isn’t this blue silk just lovely?”
Noelle took her arm and gently spun her around. There was no judgment in her expression, no humor, nothing at all to indicate that she was anything but sympathetic to Sarah’s situation.
“Please. I insist you allow me to help,” Noelle said. “I grew up with Gabe. If anyone knows him, I do.”
Having opened the door to this conversation, Sarah felt that perhaps sharing her concerns might actually help. She’d only just met Noelle, but she felt a kinship with her.
Glancing around, she assured herself that they were alone, took a deep breath, and plunged ahead. “Our wedding night was a failure. I did not know what to expect. The only information my aunt passed to me before she died was that a man pushed up your gown and put his male part inside of you.”
Lud! Mortified over the confession, she said a silent prayer for a heart seizure. The prayer failed.
Thankfully, instead of laughing, Noelle took her hand.
“You truly
were
an innocent bride.” Noelle blew out a breath through pursed lips. “I hope that Gabe was, er, patient?”
“He was.” Sarah instinctively knew that the night had not gone well for him either. He’d tried to hide his disappointment but she’d felt his regret. “He was just so big, so . . . bearded, a stranger. He wanted to wait until I knew him better. I wanted it over. Thank goodness he had the good sense to end the evening before it went too far.”
“Would waiting have changed things?” Noelle asked. “If he took you to bed now, would you feel calmer than you did then?”
Sarah thought about her handsome and confident husband and her stomach tightened. She shook her head. “He intimidates me in and out of bed. But the situation was far worse when—” She could not finish the sentence.
Noelle was kind enough not to giggle, snicker, or guffaw with Sarah’s admission. Instead she worried her bottom lip between her teeth and her thoughts seemed to drift off for a moment, then two.
Finally, she nodded. “I will help you make things right between you and your husband, outside of bed, of course. We cannot let your marriage fail. I have seen enough miserable and loveless marriages. My parents included. Once there is affection between you, the rest will come easier.
The marriage could not fail for more reasons than Noelle knew, Sarah thought. She’d not yet had the chance to look into her father’s death. In fact, she had no idea where to start.
“But what can we do?” Sarah said, refocusing her attention. She looked down at the borrowed gown and frowned as it hung on her thin frame. “Gabriel does not look at me like a man besotted. I think he was relieved to end the seduction so he’d not have to force desire where he does not feel it. Why would a man like him find a woman like me passion inspiring?”
Noelle’s eyes narrowed. “You must not perceive your lack of polish or your thinness as shortcomings. Your neglect was not your doing. You were failed on many fronts, not the least by the men in your family. They were supposed to protect you.”
She took Sarah’s hand. “From this moment forward, you are not to make one negative comment about yourself in my presence, or I will never speak to you again.” She looked straight into Sarah’s eyes. “You are so much more than you see.”
The harshness of Noelle’s statement surprised Sarah. She swallowed deeply. “Are you always so outspoken?”
Noelle’s smile flashed. “It is my best