“I would not mind one.”
“Let us not waste any time, then.” He indicated with a sweeping of his hand for her to walk ahead of him, and she did just that,making her way to the drawing room where Hudson’s liquor cabinet was stored.
It was early evening by now, and the hearth had been lit; its flames roared to life, painting the dark room in simmering orange and red hues. The warmth took her as she walked deeper into the room, and to hear the door close behind her had her heart racing.
I am being foolish, surely? Overthinking it. Trying to talk myself out of what I know is true. With Hudson, especially, a man who would not know his own emotions if they slapped him in the face.
“Whiskey, I think.” He strode past her, aiming for the liquor cabinet.
“Make it two,” she said after him.
He chuckled to himself as he reached the cabinet, busying himself with pouring their drinks. And Florentia stayed back, again studying her husband under a different light.
These past few weeks had seen the two of them grow closer in ways that went beyond mere companionship. And where it might have been easy to tell herself it was simply a means to an end, better than living with a man whom she hated, Florentia was quite certain it had become more than that.
She knew Hudson well enough to know that he wouldn’t treat her as he did if he did not care for her. But how much did he care for her? Was she reading too much into his words?
No. His actions were what she focused on. His hulking frame, his broad back—she could not help but remember the stables and the way she had fallen into him as he had held her closely. Never mind the tension. Never mind that they had very nearly kissed. It was howrightit had felt. Not strange or awkward at all.
And then, when he had spoken with her parents, the lie he had told, done so purely to rescue her. It was kind and caring, thoughtful in ways of which he might not have known himself capable. He cared for her as she did for him.
It is more than that. I do not simply care for him, as that is stiff and stale. How I feel right now, how my heart swells when he is in my thoughts, caring is not strong enough. Not by half.
“Here we are.” He turned with two drinks in his hand and made for her, holding one out. “What shall we toast to?”
“To us?” she suggested. “A marriage that should not have worked but somehow still does.”
“To us...” He raised his glass and took a sip, and she did the same. “Although it is no great secret why it works so well.”
“Oh...” Her heart began to race, and she looked for his eyes, needing him to see the thoughts hidden behind hers.
“You have the patience of a saint,” he joked and took another sip. “How else could you put up with me?”
“Oh, it is not so hard as that.”
“There is that sharp tongue that was missing just now.”
“I tell the truth,” she said earnestly. “I...you are not so bad as you think, Hudson. I know you imagine yourself as a cold monster, but the truth of the matter is...” She felt her mouth turn dry, nerves taking her. “You are one of the kindest, most caring men I have ever met.”
His brow furrowed in confusion. “Do not tease me, Florentia. You know how hard I find it to puzzle through your jokes.”
“I am not?—”
“I have gotten better, however,” he continued, not realizing he spoke over her. “You must admit that.”
She smiled softly and reached out, resting a hand on his arm. It sent a pulse through her arm, and she felt herself flush. “That you have.”
This was harder than Florentia had thought it might be. Although she was certain that Hudson was feeling for her what she was for him, she was terrified that she might be misreading him. That she would say what she felt and he would dismissher. That they would fight, that it would ruin everything. Was it worth the cost? Should she take such a risk?
“I am glad you put my parents in their place,” she said, pulling her hand away. They stood in the middle of the room, closely, and she made sure to be looking up at him as she spoke.
He shrugged. “They should know better than to speak to you like that. You are a duchess, and my wife.” He nodded. “It is not their concern if you are with child, or if you ride a horse, or whatever you do.”
“You caught me by surprise too,” she ventured carefully. “What you told them.”
“Oh...” He grimaced. “I hope I did not go too far. I was only trying to…” He considered his wording. “Placate them. Nothing more.”
“I appreciate it, Hudson. So much.”
