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“No, not really.” Her hand stroked his stubble face. “I got to rest until you arrived.”
“Yes, well, and I disturbed you lamentably.” He pulled her closer. “I am really sorry.”
“It’s alright now.” She sighed. They fell silent for a moment.
“Sometimes I worry.” He restarted.
“What about?” She lifted her chin to look at him.
“Maybe the Ton is a degree right and I did betray my uncle by…taking you.”
“I beg to differ.” She said pensively. “Nobody stepped the boundaries while he was alive.”
“No. But by God, the passion I felt went through my pores!” He admitted shamelessly.
“I can’t say I found it easy.” She devolved. “You had that horrible mood about you.”
“Pure sexual frustration.” He disclosed. “I’d thought about moving out. Just couldn’t stay away!”
“The very torment, Major!” She recalled his sold commission. “I didn’t know how I’d cope.”
“I almost went crazy!”
“Almost?” She gave him a quizzical look. “Some things you did weren’t entirely…healthy.”
“No. The want of you drove me insane with jealousy.” His eyes acquired a conflicted expression.
“I understand. Especially after yesterday.”
“I believe I’ll be able to keep it in check, as I know how you feel about me.” He smiled rather self-conceited.
“Don’t promise anything, please.” A sad expression in her vivid green eyes. “Unfulfilled promises are the worst hurt. Like Charles did repeatedly.”
It downed on him that she might love her half-brother and her father. They let her down so badly, soon there’d be nothing but bitterness and destroyed bonds.
“I see. Let’s pave our marriage on accomplished facts.” He kissed her cheek tenderly. “Do you agree?”
“No doubt.” She said sleepily.
“Now, Your Grace, I command you to sleep.” He mocked a phlegmatic tone. “It’s been a long twenty-four-hour adventure caused by His bloody Grace.” He moved to make her more comfortable. “Tomorrow we ride back to the manor.”
She just nodded, already sliding into oblivion.
A week later, Selene heard horse hooves at the manor’s front drive. She sat with a book in the library, as a knock sounded on the door. At her command, the butler came in.
“You’re requested in the study, Your Grace.”
“Is there anything afoot, Mr Bell?” She thought this summon rather atypical.
“I’m sure I don’t know, Your Grace.”
“Thank you, Mr Bell.” He bowed and left.
She stood up, smoothed her skirts and headed to the library. She knocked and entered, freezing. Her father, her half-brother and the solicitor sat around Philip’s massive desk. How had they found her wretched disappeared half-brother?
“I had men after him.” Philip answered her unexpressed question. This time his men didn’t fail. “Easy enough, since he has little imagination to hide.”
Charles didn’t bother to hide his dislike at the comment. As a man aspiring grandeur, he wouldn’t subject himself to a low profile lifestyle.
