Read A Lesson in Pride for Free Online Page B

second time didn't seem right to him. He knew he should cuddle with her, at least for a few minutes, to make her feel valued. He didn't think they had much time, considering her dead husband was in the next room being arranged by her father and brother.
     
    The enormity of the situation finally hit Grant. He'd just had sex with Alysanne, a girl he'd known since she'd been an awkward little girl. He had memories of playing ball with her and Robert. He could remember being solicited for a tea party, though she had no tea set and everything was make believe.
     
    Pushing those memories aside, Grant could no longer think about such things. Not after the last few minutes. Dear God, he grew hard just thinking about her breasts. This would never again be the little girl in the dress made dirty from playing in the mud.
     
    Pulling away from her, Grant sat up and rubbed his face. He was already desperate to have her again. Instead, he moved off the bed and grabbed the washcloth from basin. After cleaning her blood off himself, he rang out the cloth and moved to the bed. Gently, he wiped between her legs, as he avoided looking at the bed sheet covered in spots of blood. Not once did Alysanne say a word, as if she knew the moment needed silence.
     
    After replacing the washcloth, Grant put his pants back on. Before he put the rest of his clothes back on, he sat on the edge of the bed and looked into her big, blue eyes. Her lids were heavy from being satiated, but her eyes told him she was perfectly aware of what was to come.
     
    “I must go, do you think? I should see if your father needs my help moving Drake.”
     
    Her hand came up and brushed the side of his face. He hadn't bothered to shave before the wedding, so his skin was scratchy with his night beard. She smiled and sat up, not embarrassed by her nudity.
     
    Wrapping her arms around her legs, she said, “I guess you should. It would all be for nothing if my maid finds you here and not Drake.”
     
    Nodding slowly, Grant stood up and continued to dress. When he sat before the fire to put on his stockings and shoes, he saw that she'd risen and put on her nightgown and robe. Taking the seat across from him, he watched her as she poured herself another glass of champagne and sipped it thoughtfully. Looking to him, she gestured to ask if he'd like another drink.
     
    “No, thank you.”
     
    She nodded and went back to staring at the fire. As he watched her, he thought of all sorts of things he should say to her. Things to reassure her that her life would be better despite what had happened. Something about how beautiful she was and that she would not be alone for long.
     
    Instead, he asked, “Are you well? I did not hurt you, did I?”
     
    Pulling away from her private reverie, she gave him a tender smile. “No, not at all. Well, not too badly. About what I expected, I should say.”
     
    Nodding himself, he said, “Good, good.” Then all other words escaped him completely as he continued dressing.
     
    Her voice rang out in the awkward silence so suddenly that he jumped in his seat.
     
    “Do you think we might speak another time? Maybe in a week or two when everything is settled?”
     
    Grant had begun to wonder if she required no reassurances at all. As if they were linked to the same emotional path, he saw that all she wanted was some privacy as well. The evening was so strange that it needed to be processed. Neither could do that with the other's presence.
     
    Nodding again, he said, “Of course. I shall call upon you in a fortnight.”
     
    With his shoes on, he stood and held out his hand. Alysanne took it and rose with his assistance. He had thought to kiss her hand lightly, but was instead compelled to pull her into his arms and hug her tightly. Kissing the top of her head, he pulled away and went to the adjoining door. After unlocking it, he opened it and walked through, never turning to see her face.
     
    Grant had had sex with dozens of women over