Mrs. Parker huffed. “When the saltiness of the air withers your eyes, you’ll wish for London’s air, my lady.”
Cora laughed, and the sound captured all his attention.
He held her close as the carriage went downhill. “Almost there.”
When the white walls of his house came into view after a turn, the coachman slowed the carriage in front of Ethan’s estate.
She squeezed his hand when he helped her out. “Thank you.” She tilted her head up. “This is fancier than I expected.”
“My parents were fond of this place. We often spent the summer here.”
David and Harry rushed past them to the balcony in the garden opening to the cliff. The waves foamed and crushed against the rocks with a soothing sound while seagulls cawed overhead. Perfect for helping Cora recover.
A small army of servants swarmed around them to carry their bags, bow, or curtsy as Mrs. Parker took charge of the introductions. Once inside, David ran from one corner of the entry hallway to another. Harry could barely keep up with him.
“Can we go to the beach?” they asked together, their eyes shining.
“Not alone,” Ethan said. “We’ll go later, all together. You may ask the groom to show you the ponies.”
“Ponies.” Harry’s eyes widened too much for Ethan’s liking. “We can ride them to the beach.”
“Only if the groom and two stable hands are with you.”
Harry seized David’s arm and pulled. “Let’s go before he changes his mind.”
“Later, Mama.” David kissed Cora’s cheek and vanished behind Harry in a chaos of voices and laughter.
“Thank you,” Cora said, her voice suspiciously low.
“Wait to thank me. David is with Harry. Anything could happen.” He offered her his arm. “I’ll show you to your room.” He dismissed the maid. “You must be tired.”
“A bit.” She took his arm, and together they went up the sweeping stairs.
Compared to his house in London, this one was airy and sparkling with large windows and hallways wide enough for six people to walk abreast.
He opened the window in her bedroom and let the fresh sea air rush in. “Judge Quigley will see us tomorrow. Do you fancy a swim with the lads later? There’s a part of the bay where the water is rather warm.”
“Yes. I haven’t swum in years.”
“I have a bathing machine for you and Mrs. Parker, should you wish to take a swim with us.”
“Would love to.”
He bowed. “I’ll let you rest then. See you later.” He didn’t make it to the door though.
Cora caught his hand. “Ethan.”
The husky tone in which she said his name sent a shudder through him. The desire in her voice couldn’t be only his imagination. Although she was too pale and tired to do more than nap.
She didn’t add anything else, and he didn’t mind. She wasn’t in love with him; that much was clear. But that fact didn’t change the way he felt, not one bit. And if she needed the physical pleasure, he was more than happy to give her what she wanted.
“What do you need?” he asked, eager to do her bidding.
“I just wanted to thank you. I was about to make a mistake two weeks ago, and while you pointed it out, you let me do what I wanted, even if it was a mistake. I regret my stubbornness, but I thank you for letting me do what I thought was right.” She released his hand. “That’s all.”
“I would never force my will upon you. Not even when you’re wrong.”
She smiled, and her cheeks regained a bit of colour. “But I hope you’ll always tell me when I’m wrong.”
