Page 64 of The Baron Takes a Wife

“My darling wife, I love your body at any size. There is nothing in the universe that can change that.”

As she looked at him, she felt that weight on her chest pinch, and the pain was both beautiful and terrifying. Feeling undone, she quickly changed the subject.

“Did you come to this acceptance of yourself at the clinic or since you have been back?”

“Mostly since I have been back, even though I often find I am trying to make myself fit into this world like pushing a square peg through a round hole. But I also realized all of you would support me however I am.” He swallowed. “No, I just gave myself small tasks at the clinic to keep from boredom and despair. I had time to appreciate all that Mrs. Raeburn did outside of Balaclava. I had to remind myself how lucky I was to end up there, across from the hotel. So many died in the hospital barracks in Scutari. If I hadn’t lost my ability to walk, I would have likely been sent there instead of waiting for transport to Portsmouth.”

“I heard about the barracks in Scutari. We were lucky we did not have as many outbreaks.”

“Lucky, but I also think Mrs. Raeburn has knowledge and skill that others do not have.”

“She does, doesn’t she? Too bad she isn’t appreciated by most men of science.”

They sat in silence for a moment as they thought about that, and she lay back alongside him.

“So, Elena, just to hear you say it, I did not ruin your life?” Even though he asked the question casually, she had heard a grain of doubt in his voice. Apparently, even this tall, handsome lord needed assurances sometimes.

“No, Husband, no. While I have sorrow and am still working on asking myself the right question, as you suggested, I have had opportunities I would never have had. I still love my village and the life I had there, but this life is different. If I had never married you, I never would have gone to the opera. And you would never have translated it for me, and we wouldn’t—”

“Be here now,” he finished for her, turning his head toward hers. Even if she had to leave him, she would never forget that moment, that crescendo, even when she was old and gray. But right now, the thought of growing old and gray without the man beside her left a hollowness in her chest.

“You have enriched my life, Husband. Being married to you is a privilege. Friendly as you are, I feel you do not let many people truly know you.”

“I suppose I do not.” Turning away from him, she wrapped his arm around herself, feeling his rough hands against her skin.

“But it’s not enough for you to stay,” he said quietly.

Elena loosened her grip on his hand as she felt some of the shattered ice begin to reconstitute as she tried to erect some of her old defenses. How could she leave the best man she knew? But how could she not return if there was word of her family? That was all she had longed for all these years, yet that dream was becoming more distant lately. She did not know what to hope for anymore. All she knew was that hope was exhausting.

She felt his hand tighten in hers and then relax as he let the moment pass, and his voice was much lighter as he spoke. “What a clod I am, here I was meaning to give you comfort, and here you are comforting me.”

“I think we are comforting each other, Husband.”

“I supposed that’s to be tolerated.” His hand began to trace the outline of her breast, then slowly crept to the top of her nightgown.

“Well, Wife, how do you feel about marital duties since we have several hours until the rest of the world is awake?”

“Marital duties make them sound like a chore.” He slid the nightgown off her shoulder, revealing her left breast.

“Oh, they may be considered a duty, but for us, they are all pleasure,” he said, cupping her breast, and for a few more hours, they were engaged in much more than duty.

****

Later that day, Sophie was preparing to depart to stay with a recently widowed friend in town. As they bid her goodbye, David overheard her speaking to Irene. “Now I want to see improvements on our initial drafting. I know you have it in you to think this through to the fullest. Send me your revisions, and I will look them over.”

“Yes, Aunt Sophie.”

“We may build you a school yet.”

“We won’t need to build it if we purchase a property.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Make a plan first.”

“Yes, Aunt Sophie,” Irene responded dutifully.

“And you, Nephew? What of you? Will you take your seat in the House of Lords?”

“Next session, most likely.”