To The Traitor in My Bed - Chapter 3
Chapter 2. The Count’s Two Reputations
Long past midnight, Count Fairchild and his wife returned to their townhouse. Even as the carriage passed through the garden, where the snow had piled up thickly, there was a silence between them.
When they were alone together, Frederick spoke far less than he did in social settings. Yet, the silence was neither uncomfortable nor heavy. If anything, it seemed as though he was giving her space in his own way, respecting her decision to return alone to their estate.
‘Or maybe he just didn’t care.* ‘
That possibility seemed more likely.
She thanked him gracefully as he helped her out of the carriage.
“Thank you.”
Accepting his escort into the house, she hesitated briefly at the top of the stairs on the second floor. He had just bid her goodnight and was about to turn away.
“…Frederick.”
His indifferent gaze turned toward her. The light caught his hair, making it gleam brightly. She spoke a bit shyly.
“Tonight, should we sleep in the same room? We’re going to be apart for a while…”
He nodded willingly. The Count was remarkably indifferent about their occasional marital relations, which took place once or twice a month. Deirdre secretly appreciated his straightforwardness.
She lightly grasped her husband’s arm and then let go.
“I’ll be back after I visit my room.”
In her haste, she didn’t notice the deep gaze that followed her.
At her room’s door, her maid, Bertha, was waiting. With a bright smile, Bertha quickly removed the Countess’s fur cape, muff, and dress.
“Would you like a bath, Madam?”
“It’s fine. …I’ll sleep here tonight.”
“Then I’ll prepare your room as well.”
After the maid left, Deirdre sank into the warm bath. This was one of the five houses in the capital, including the Swinton palace, that had such a luxurious heated bath. The Fairchild townhouse boasted two and more of them.
The kingdom’s winters were long and harsh. Many young ladies across the kingdom would gladly marry any man with even the slightest flaw if it meant having such a luxurious bath.
So, it was clear that having a generous, wealthy, and handsome husband like Frederick was a stroke of good luck.
As she thought about her good luck, she soaked in the bath, taking longer than her husband had.
When Frederick finally entered their shared bedroom, Deirdre was still reflecting on her luck.
He still had a relaxed expression. That tranquility helped ease her own tension. Count Fairchild was too simple a man to understand his wife’s moods or concerns.
‘There’s no way a man like him would be involved in treason.’
Deirdre reassured herself and clumsily wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck. Soon, his warm lips met hers.
The kiss was light, like a gentle breeze settling on a flower petal.
He never rushed. Even on their wedding night, he was as gentlemanly and cautious as he always was. He gently guided his wife, who only had a vague theoretical understanding of marital duties, in a soft manner.
The two of them slowly leaned back onto the bed.
Each time this happened, Deirdre couldn’t shake the feeling of awkwardness. For them, the purpose of their relationship was to have children. She had hoped for a child to come soon, but for some reason—whether it was bad timing or irregular cycles—pregnancy had yet to happen. Until then, they had to continue this awkward act.
As his hands removed her robe and lifted her nightgown over her head, she shyly shut her eyes.
However, Frederick was considerate of his wife, so it wasn’t unbearably uncomfortable. Taking off clothes, drawing close, and when the atmosphere became just right, uniting as one. This procedure, with no exceptions, was predictable, and in that, there was some comfort.
He, too, seemed to understand the purpose of this act, so he didn’t waste any unnecessary time. Yet, unlike her, he didn’t fumble. Men seemed, knew exactly how to handle their wives’ bodies in bed.
As his touch became more intimate, her breath began to quicken. One arm embraced her while the other gently caressed her, and soon, he was on top of her. At first, there was a slight pain, but by now, she knew that it would not last long.
His firm body pressed down on hers.
He moved slowly, his body still against hers.
From an aesthetic standpoint, her husband’s body was quite impressive. Sleek, with no excess fat, his body covered in lean muscle, and his tall frame made him stand out in anything he wore. However, when the man on top of her was close, it did give off an intimidating vibe. The weight of his body and the warm temperature pressing against her, often left Deirdre feeling helpless.
A faint pleasure followed. Only when a deeper, longer satisfaction settled did she feel at ease.
Once it was all over, Frederick held her close and asked, “Are you okay?” Instead of answering, she buried her face in her husband’s broad chest.
With flushed cheeks, she exhaled shallowly.
After a moment, he pressed a light kiss to her forehead before getting up from the bed.
Deirdre listened intently to the sound of water coming from the bathroom.
After their shared nights, Frederick would take a long bath. He was so meticulous about cleanliness that he would emerge from the bath looking tired. This was because he was quite a clean and neat man, and of course, Deirdre much preferred a tidy husband over one who wasn’t.
Before he returned, she quickly got up and put her nightgown back on.
When he came back, smelling of soap, she pretended to be asleep, keeping her eyes closed.
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