Something caught her eye against the tree line. She stilled for a moment and hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. It felt far too familiar and brought back memories of when she had been taken by a horrible blackguard. She drew a deep breath as she took her husband’s arm.
The man, whose name she refused to allow in her thoughts, was long gone and could never bother her again. Besides, even as she focused on the trees, there was nothing there. It was surely all in her head.
“Is everything all right, love?” he asked, clasping her hand on his arm with his free one. Evan’s voice was steady, but she heard the edge of concern.
“Indeed,” she replied. It wasn’t a lie. Their life was perfect. She had a handsome husband who doted on her, who was the love of her life, and their adorable son.
Evan escorted them to their horses, and before Marina climbed into the saddle, she glanced over her shoulder one last time just to confirm for sure she had nothing to worry about. Thankfully, no one was there.
Chapter 2
Evan
Evanrockedinthenursery chair, his deep voice a soothing murmur as he read to his son. Arthur, barely four months old, had long since surrendered to sleep, his tiny chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Still, Evan continued, as he intended to for years to come. His own father had been distant and somewhat cold—a legacy he refused to pass on.
“… and the prince returned to his kingdom, having learned the value of honesty,” he finished, his gaze lingering on the perfect bow of his son’s lips, the delicate flutter of dark lashes against plump cheeks.
Carefully, he set the book aside, shifting Arthur slightly in his arms. His thoughts drifted to Marina, to the shadow that had crossed her expression in the field. Their afternoon had been… delightful. More than that, in fact. It was exhilarating, as it always was with her. His lips curved at the memory.
Since the doctor’s clearance over a month ago, their physical relationship had rekindled with fervor. He could never get enough of his wife, and she had never been shy about wanting him just as fiercely.
Evan rose, cradling his son for a moment longer before laying him gently in the cradle. “Sleep well, little one,” he whispered, lingering just long enough to marvel at the perfect miracle they had created. With a quiet knock on Nanny’s door, he left Arthur in her care and slipped from the nursery.
As he navigated through the corridor, unease coiled in his chest. Marina had always been forthright, unafraid to voice her thoughts. An understatement, in truth. And yet, something had unsettled her—and worse, she didn’t tell him. Was she truly content at Oxcrest? The doubt was absurd, unwelcome, yet impossible to ignore.
Descending the grand staircase, he forced himself to set the notion aside. And once he reached the study, he paused at the doorway, watching her.
Marina sat at their large shared oak desk, focused on penning a missive. Her quill moved swiftly across the parchment, her brow furrowed in concentration. She was stunning, no matter what she was doing. He would happily watch her at work for hours if he could.
She had redressed her chestnut hair after he’d mussed it earlier, and the sight of her graceful neck gave Evan a familiar tightening in his chest as he longed to kiss and mark her smooth alabaster skin.
His wife was breathtaking, and it still struck him in much the same way he felt the first time he’d seen her. But it was more than beauty that undid him—it was her mind, her fire, the way she looked at him as though he were the only man in existence.
And yet, something was troubling her.
Evan’s jaw tightened. Whatever it was, she would not keep it from him for long. He wouldn’t be able to stand it.
“Are you going to enter or is your plan to lurk in the doorway, my love?” Marina asked without looking up, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
Evan stepped inside, his gaze lingering on her as he made his way to her side. “Can I be blamed for admiring my wife? Perhaps it’s your fault for being so damn tempting.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, breathing in the soft, familiar scent of her.
She glanced up, love shining in her caramel eyes—and just like that, his breath was gone again.
“You already know, darling, that in any situation, the fault is always yours.” She pointed her quill at him before winking, that wicked glint in her eyes making his blood run hot. The minx.
“Then by all means, love, punish me.” He grazed his fingers across her collarbone, stopping just shy of the globe of her breast.
Desire flickered in her gaze, but she only smirked. “Later. Consider it part of your punishment.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Her grin was pure mischief. “I shan’t require a reminder.”
Evan stole a quick kiss before settling into the chair across from her, picking up the day’s paper. He told himself there was nothing to worry about. Marina had never been one for secrets. He was likely making something out of nothing in his head.
Evan read while Marina focused on her correspondence, settling into a comfortable silence.
“Juliana thinks she might be with child,” she said after several minutes.
