“Hope you are all right.” His brow furrowed with concern.
“More than all right.” She was about to say more, but footsteps padded from the corridor.
They both froze but then slackened when the person walked past her door.
He kissed her hand again. “Sleep for another few hours if you can. I’ve disrupted your sleep too much.”
He dressed quickly, his gaze never leaving her face. Before jumping out of the window, he smiled like a dashing pirate and blew her a kiss. Then he was gone, but his warmth lingered in her heart.
twenty-six
FROM THE MOMENT Hector had left the warmth of Maddie’s bed, his heart had pounded fast. A part of him wanted to enjoy the memory of being inside her, kissing her, and the lovely expression on her face when she’d found her release. Another part wanted to marry her now. Immediately. Without delay. Eloping if necessary. Gretna Green wasn’t that far, after all.
He had no idea why the urge to make her his wife sent him into a frenzy, but he wanted to be sure she didn’t think, not for one moment, that he would leave her after a fumble with her. He wasn’t one of those rakes who seduced a lady and then left her. He scoffed as he tried to tie his cravat for the third time. Stupid thing.
His restless fingers didn’t seem able to button his shirt as well. Yet he ought to be quick. Ernest had sent him an urgent message, requiring his presence in Maddie’s house. An emergency meeting. He had an idea of what Ernest wanted to talk about. The cravat fell loose on his chest. To hell with the cravat. He simply knotted it around his neck like a scarf and hurried out of his bedroom, only to skid to an abrupt halt.
Quentin stood in the corridor with an arm around the waist of a woman. Not again. He clenched his fists, ready to defend himself or the lady if his cousin got aggressive again.
Quentin rubbed his chin, giving Hector a long onceover. “You know, I’m sorry to have called you an idiot.”
Hector ignored him and angled towards the woman. “Are you here on your own free will, madam?”
She rolled her red-painted lips together. “Very much.”
He bowed his head. “Then enjoy your company.”
Quentin pulled her closer and stepped in front of Hector, blocking his path. “Please commit other atrocities as the one you performed in Hyde Park. It makes my solicitor’s work easier.”
“Go to hell, Quentin.” He sidestepped the couple.
“Your mother will never rest in the family crypt.” Quentin’s angry words echoed in the hallway.
Hector skidded to an abrupt halt. Red spots blotched his vision. He turned around, fighting the urge to punch the smile off his cousin’s face.
“Well?” Quentin darted his tongue over his bottom lip. “Do you want a fight?”
“What is this all about?” the woman asked.
Quentin released her and waved Hector closer. “Come here, Cousin. Show me what you can do.”
Oh, Hector was tempted to pummel some sense into His Disgrace. But he’d taken an oath to behave like a gentleman, and a gentleman didn’t go around punching people, not even those who deserved it. Besides, likely Quentin hoped for just that. He wanted Hector to lose control before crying bloody murder. He’d caused enough trouble to fall into Quentin’s little trap. If he weren’t worried about the Irish workers, he’d slam his fist against Quentin’s jaw. He was finally learning a duke’s job.
“Give me the Savage Duke,” Quentin said.
Hector clenched his jaw and started down the stairs. “At least today your lover isn’t a child. It was about time you decided to pursue a grownup woman.”
As he pulled the front door open, the high-pitched voice of the lady came from upstairs. “A child? What did he mean by that?”
Hands shoved in his pockets, he strode down the pavement towards Maddie’s house. He needed a walk and, to be honest, wasn’t fond of the carriages. Too much rocking and jolting. Thank goodness there weren’t many people around. The freezing air had returned, bringing rain and icy gusts, discouraging the Londoners from promenading.
His mind was crowded enough with thoughts to deal with people. Should he propose to Maddie right now? What if she felt oppressed by him? Maybe he should wait. No, he didn’t want to. But it’d be better if he became a duke first and solved the chaos with Quentin. God, it might take months. His head was about to explode.
He slowed his pace as he arrived at the spot where he’d discussed his passion for botany with Robert. It’d been right before the incident with Maddie. No, he hadn’t forgotten his promise to make amends. Once he was the Duke of Blackburn, he’d help her become the artist she wanted and deserved to be. Then he’d propose, and if she rejected him, he’d provide for her anyway. He’d always be ready to help her, no matter what she decided to do.
His heart beat more slowly when he entered Maddie’s house. Just smelling her scent had a therapeutic effect on his nerves. The maid showed him to the drawing room where Ernest and Maddie were having tea. Hector hurried to her as his pulse quickened again. His heart was confused. Lord, he wanted to sweep her off her feet, kiss her, and beg her to marry him.
“How are you?” He took her hand and was pleased to find it warm and steady. Even her cheeks had returned to their usual healthy colour.
