Elaine chuckled at the image, but shook her head. “He’s never done anything remotely like that.”

“ What does he do, then?” Vivi asked.

A gaggle of the house party’s unmarried ladies passed by their table. Elaine waited until they were well out of earshot, then took a quick glance around to be sure no unwelcome ears were listening in before she answered. “Well, it’s nothing like what you two have told me about.” She stopped herself and thought hard before continuing. Elaine would never want to say anything bad about her husband. Owen was the sweetest man, once you were able to delve past his gruff exterior, at least.

“ Does he avoid your bed?” Judith asked. “Piers rarely used to come to me, you know. It all changed here.”

“ Oh, no. It’s nothing like that,” Elaine rushed on. “We…er, well…” A deep blush heated her cheeks and she lowered her voice even more. “We make love frequently. Almost every night, still, and we’ve been married for years.”

“ Is it rather tedious, though?” Vivi put in. “Same position every night?”

Tedious wouldn’t be quite right. Vigorous, certainly. Owen always made certain she found her pleasure, too. He was a very considerate lover in that regard. But it was always in precisely the same position each night-him above, her below, fast and feverish, and then it was done. There was never any variety.

Judith frowned when Elaine didn’t answer. “Perhaps he ought to bring a book of instructions with him, then.”

“ One with diagrams,” Vivi said with a devious gleam in her eye. “I could paint some watercolors for you, if you’d like.”

“ Oh, heavens, no.” Owen would be furious she’d discussed their private affairs with anyone else if he ever found out. And surely, if she came to him with paintings, he’d know.

“ No,” Judith murmured, her eyes narrowed in thought. “But clearly, Raynesford won’t change his ways without a bit of prodding. You’ll simply have to introduce him to some new bedroom activities, Elaine.”