That stopped her completely, not because she disagreed, but because she had no immediate reply that did not complicate things further.
“If anything,” he added, “the only thing inappropriate about any of this is how easily you believe I would do something you do not want. I will only ever protect you, Anne.”
Anne looked at him properly then, and for the first time since he had caught her wrist, the thought she had briefly entertained earlier felt both foolish and dangerously revealing.
Dorian noticed the change in her expression immediately. His grip loosened. Then, after a brief pause, he let her go.
CHAPTER 19
Dorian did not know quite what effect his wife was having on him, but he knew it was dangerous.
Several days after their walk, when he explained that Lady Vivian did not pose any real threat to their marriage, he found Anne in the breakfast room earlier than usual, sitting surrounded by ledgers she had almost certainly taken far too seriously for that hour of the morning.
“You look alarmingly occupied,” he remarked as he entered.
Anne glanced up briefly. “Some people work before noon. I happen to be one of them.”
“How disappointing.”
“You are leaving for town today. Someone must remain responsible while you are off gallivanting with your friend.”
Dorian poured coffee slowly, though not before noticing the way she had already reorganized three papers he distinctly remembered leaving elsewhere the previous evening.
He was to visit town with Tristan for a few days, and though he usually enjoyed spending some time away, this time he found that he would have preferred to stay home. And for the first time, it had nothing to do with the work that would need to be done.
“I am beginning to suspect you enjoy managing my estate.”
“Ourestate,” Anne corrected absently.
The words slipped out so naturally that she did not seem to realize she had said them. Something warm settled in his chest before he dismissed it quickly.
“Our estate?” he repeated.
Anne looked up, slightly distracted. “You know what I meant.”
“I do.”
Unfortunately.
He sat opposite her. “You realize,” he said after a moment, “I will only be gone for two days.”
“Three, if Tristan distracts you.”
“That is unfair.”
“Would you call it inaccurate?”
Dorian smiled despite himself. The ease lingered for a moment, then he leaned back slightly. “You shall miss me terribly.”
Anne did not even look up. “On the contrary, the house may briefly recover its peace.”
“Is that to say you will be untroubled by my absence?”
Anne finally looked up. “You are leaving for business,” she said more quietly. “Not war.”
Not this time, he thought, but he did not say it. It would only have ruined the moment.
“You could at least pretend you are disappointed.”
