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Laurence had snorted.

"Congratulations, Arthur. Your wife has promoted the geese."

The memory drew the faintest smile to his lips even now. The way she viewed the world was refreshing.

Where he saw ledgers, responsibility and expenditure, she saw curiosity. Where he saw duties that had become second nature, she saw questions he had long since forgotten to ask. His eyes drifted back to the letter before him. He had just finished settling a dispute between two neighbouring tenant farmers when he became aware that the gentle commentary beside him had ceased, and the silence that followed felt heavier than it should have.

Silence.

He glanced down.

Eliza's eyes were closed, her head resting against his shoulder, her breathing slow and even. Whilst he had been occupied with crop yields and boundary lines, she had quietly fallen asleep.

"The disputes can wait until tomorrow," he murmured to no one in particular.

Setting his quill aside, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back before lifting her carefully into his arms. As he stepped into the corridor, Mr Ellis emerged from the opposite direction carrying a stack of freshly laundered linen.

The valet immediately stepped aside. Their eyes met. Mr Ellis gave the smallest bow of his head, though Arthur did not miss the quiet approval that softened the older man's usually impassive expression.

"Good evening, Your Grace." Arthur returned the nod without breaking stride.

His feet carried him back to his chambers by instinct alone. He crossed the doorway into his bedchamber, laid her carefully beneath the covers, extinguished the remaining lamps and finally slipped into bed beside her. The moment his head touched the pillow, she rolled towards him in her sleep, seeking him without waking, and nestled herself against his chest.

His arm went around her automatically.

No thought. No hesitation.

When, exactly, had that become instinct—and why did it unsettle him so little?

Chapter 35

Vinnie was braiding Eliza's freshly washed hair as she sat at her dressing table.

Breakfast had only just ended, shared with her husband, Lord Benedict and the Dowager Duchess, but she found herself lingering over every meal of late. Laurence had announced that he would be leaving in five days and the thought alone made her chest tighten. She had never known Winworth without Laurence.

He had promised he would return as soon as he could - much to Arthur's obvious displeasure- but the house would feel quieter without his constant jest.

A knock sounded at the door, pulling Eliza from her reflections.

"Come in!" she called.

The door opened, and one of the attendants entered, almost hidden behind an enormous arrangement of yellow carnations. There had to be at least two dozen blooms, their delicate fragrance filling the room before the maid had even crossed the threshold.

Eliza smiled to herself. She already knew there would be a note.

"These might be the most beautiful yet," Vinnie said, grinning as the bouquet was placed carefully upon the dressing table.

Eliza wasted no time plucking the small folded card from between the flowers.

My dearest wife.

Her heart melted instantly.

She had spent so many years longing to be “dear” to someone. She very nearly pressed the card to her chest.

Instead, she unfolded it.

I wonder if yellow may be your favourite colour this week? It certainly is mine today. Please don't tell blue, lilac or pink.