“Why not?” Lady Worthington squawked.
“Because we have not started trying yet,” he said simply. “We have been married for a little more than a month. As we see it there is still plenty of time, and truth be told, we know the commitment that a child brings. And while obviously we plan on having one soon, for a few more months at least, we have decided it would be smart for us to wait.”
“Oh...” Lady Worthington frowned, clearly not sure how to react.
“That is...” Lord Worthington pushed his lips together. “An interesting consideration.”
“A smart one,” Hudson said. “When it is time to have a child, we wish to be ready. More than that, we wish to both be in a place where we can think of nothing better than to spend our days raising him. Or her. Why do our future child a disservice by having them too soon?”
“Your Grace...” Lady Worthington cleared her throat. “If you do not mind me saying, it is never the right time to have a child. I find it is best if?—”
“What is right for you is not right for us,” he cut over her sharply, fixing her in a look that told her in this she would do best to keep her opinions to herself. “Your daughter and I have come to this decision ourselves, one which is our own to make. And I would ask that you accept it.” Another stern look for good measure.
It was clear that Lady Worthington did not agree, nor did her husband. But they knew who they were speaking with, and they knew better than to argue.
“Wonderful idea,” Lady Worthington said. “As you say, you know best.”
“Yes, we do.”
Throughout this, Florentia had been staring wide-eyed at Hudson, her mouth hanging open, shock written clear as day across her face. But slowly, as she came to realize what he was saying, how he was saving her, that shock turned into a joyous smile, and she squeezed his hand and shuffled in closer.
It was only then that Hudson realized what he had done—as always, slow to figure through the implications of the situation and what it might mean. What had been meant as a kindness might have been misread by Florentia as promise.
“Sorry to have misled you, Mother, I hope you understand.” She grinned at Hudson, moving his hand to her lap. “But at least you might see how happy we are. Surely, that is something to celebrate.”
“I suppose so...” Lady Worthington did not look as if she agreed.
Hudson withdrew into himself as he began to consider all of this from a more practical angle. The night of the ball. What had happened in the stable. His act of kindness just now, likely instilling in Florentia false hope.What have I done?
Hudson could not say for certain how he felt about Florentia, but with a quick glance in her direction, seeing the look of adoration in her eyes as she watched him, he could say pretty well what she felt for him. Worse than that, he had encouraged it! Fool he was, he’d let his emotions take over and as he had known would happen, he found himself in trouble.
He cared for his wife. He liked being with her. But did he want more? Did he wish for this marriage to develop beyond one of convenience and companionship? Even if he did, Hudson would never dare admit such a thing.
I must be careful from now on. One more wrong step taken and my wife might misread my intentions entirely. And if that happens…I do not want to think what I will do. Nothing good, by my reckoning.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Well, that was relatively painless,” Hudson sighed once the door closed behind Florentia’s parents. “Although if we do not see them again for another month, forgive me if I do not object.”
“Right,” Florentia agreed. “They can be...rather, forward.”
“A bull charging a red flag is forward,” Hudson said. “They are an entirely different beast.”
“It is more my mother than my father,” Florentia said. “She has always been the one who leads, while my father has been happy to follow.”
“I see now where you get it from.”
It was a joke, clearly, and ordinarily, Florentia might have laughed. But her mind was elsewhere, partly back on the conversation with her parents, and partly on the stable beforethat. In many ways, one informed the other, which allowed for her to think of them both with the same mind. Even if this confused her to no end.
“Right...” was all she could bring herself to say.
I do not think I can continue to lie to myself for much longer. What is more, I do not want to. What happened in the stable was one thing, and maybe I could have forgotten it if that was all that had happened. But how Hudson had spoken to my parents just now...it changes everything.
“Is everything alright?” Hudson asked, taking note of the distant expression on Florentia’s face.
“Hmm?” She realized what she was doing, forcing herself to focus on him. “Yes, it is fine.” She then looked closer at her husband, studying him in a way that she had not dared to this past month for fear of what she might see. Now, to look at him with this fresh perspective, she could not believe how purposefully ignorant she had been. “It is better than fine...” She smiled suggestively.
“I am glad. Honestly, the way your mother was speaking to you. And to me, for that matter...” He exhaled. “I need a drink.”
