“I managed to get her to the carriage. She danced the whole way. It was unseemly. If my fiancée’s family noticed, it would be the end of that, I can assure you.”
“Fiancée. Congratulations are in order after tonight?”
“No, no.” Henry pressed his lips together. “Not quite. At our last rendezvous, I may have pressed a bit too forcefully on the topic of her dowry. Father provides for me adequately, but I find myself eager to plan investments. Of course, they will benefit Olivia too, for my rise will only mean hers, but she did seem to want to play the coquette a bit. You know women, they don’t want to seem overeager in front of a prized buck.”
Tuck responded with a noncommittal murmur before striding back indoors, his gaze sweeping through the bustling ballroom. The grand space was alive with a kaleidoscope of colors as women floated past in an array of elegant dresses adorned with jewels and feathers and holding delicate fans. Every corner seemed to sparkle with opulence and grace. Though numerous eyes followed his movements, inviting him with subtle gestures, none belonged to the woman he cared about.
“Husband,” Lizzy breathed a few minutes later as he entered the carriage. “My dear wicked husband. Are you here to haveyour evil way with me? I tried to find you everywhere, but only ran into grouchy old Henry.”
“Lizzy. Baby. I think it would be best if we cracked a window to let in some air.”
“You can crack my window,” she purred, reaching over to brace her hands on his knee. “Because tonight I will ride on St.George all the way to where dragons live.” She burst into peals of laughter.
She was drunk with a capitalD.
“Damn it.” He had so much to tell her and she wasn’t in the mood for anything other than...
“Jesus. No.” He flew back as her hand came near to whacking his crown jewels. “Please sit still. We’ll get to your house and you can drink some water. I have a lot to tell you.
“Me too. I’ve decided something.” She slowly blinked. “Me.” She pointed at him. “You.” She pointed at herself.
“Think you got that backward, Pocket Rocket.”
“We are going to have intimate marriage relations. If we do not, I will die not only a widow but also unknowledgeable. And that...”
Tuck reached forward to grab her as she half slid off the bench.
“That is a tragedy for my muff, and my muff is not a tragedy, do you understand?”
“I think I get it,” Tuck muttered.
Why shouldn’t she live a little? She had to deal with so much every day. If hooking up with him could give her some fun, well, he’d done it for way less noble reasons in the past. But he would never have sex with a woman who was drunk. If she sobered up, and still felt the same? Could he risk it? He’d never worried about physical acts messing with his head before. He compartmentalized. That was what he excelled at. If she wanted to have some sex, he could have some sex. What was with the vague fearchurning through him? It wasn’t as if when his dick slid into her, his feelings would lock into place like some magic spell. That was ridiculous.
As ridiculous as falling into a pond and traveling back in time.
Lizzy was snoring now, loudly.
He scrubbed a hand across his face. He didn’t need to sleep with her to know his feelings were something he hadn’t experienced before. If this scene were a cartoon, there would be a red alarm on the wall over his head that read,Danger! Danger!
He took a deep breath through his nose and released it. Once. Twice more.
A lot was coming at him tonight and he didn’t have a clear head to think, let alone make decisions.
The carriage stopped. They were back at the townhouse. Her parents were in the foyer when he entered, holding her in his arms.
“Dear heavens,” her mother exclaimed. “What have you done to my daughter? She’s as drunk as a Dionysian nymph.”
“Madam,” her stepfather said, “I believe Elizabeth managed this feat entirely on her own. I saw her in the ladies’ room with Cornelia, Dorothea, and Theodosia.”
“Goodness.” Her mother slumped. “At least she is married and can’t ruin herself. Small miracle.”
“Exactly.” Mr.Alby turned and struck Tuck on the back, right on the kidneys. “Now escort that troublemaker to bed before the servants gossip. I see public intoxication is a trait she can claim from your previous husband.” He directed the last snide comment to his wife as they withdrew down the hall.
Not for the first time Tuck wondered how Lizzy had turned out as well as she did in this family. It wasn’t merely a lack of attention to her needs; it was the outright disregard that she mighteven possess a few. He couldn’t help but imagine how much further she might have progressed in ambitions like her writing if she’d been surrounded by people who supported her dreams instead of stifling them with ordinary ones that only benefited themselves.
Tuck carried her up the three flights of stairs. He was breathing hard by the last few steps. Lizzy stirred, lifting her head. “You are my husband?” Her fox-eyed gaze was unfocused, drooping sleepily in the corners.
“I am.”
