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“I’m sorry to share this with you.The War Department has many unfortunate experiences with such soldiers as Sandhurst.Mania overcomes some.The battlefield is hell.There was a time when even I couldn’t sleep in the same bed with my wife.Hallucinations at night.Visions of war.I understand what Sandhurst was going through.We knew about his circumstance.Originally, we thought sending him to India, with his uncle, would calm him.Evidently not.”
“Well, we were thankful you were there last night,” Rose said.
“The Crown has a duty to its men.We fail much of the time.The least we could do for the duke is to provide some safe environment.For all of us.”
“How long will he recuperate in Bath?”
“I can’t say.What with his probable involvement with Cato Street, it will likely be some time.Perhaps you should write to his uncle.He may want to come home to manage the estates,” Liverpool said.
“Lord Liverpool,” Rose said.“This is difficult.He is my brother-in-law, but please don’t trust him.He can feign reasonable, at times.He is unpredictable.Make sure his caretakers know that.”
“Of course, Your Grace.As you wish.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to sit for a moment?Cook makes wonderful shortbread.And you’ve traveled so far.”
“You are too kind.What I was thinking on the ride was that Islington might be the perfect distance from London.Hardy, thank you again for a rare display of wisdom advising me of Sandhurst’s activities rather than ignoring them.”
They walked out with Liverpool, his carriage still waiting.A few patters of rain fell as he climbed into the carriage.Rose and Matthew still stood on the promenade.He held his hand out to catch a few drops.“I think we are in for quite a storm.”
“Most of it seems past us now,” Rose said, wrapping one hand around his waist.
The downpour came suddenly.“Walk with me,” Matthew said.They strolled along the house beneath the canopy of the roof, listening to the soothing rush of water as it trickled, dripped and babbled overhead and down around them.“I think we should leave in a month.We’ll travel to Rome then find an agent who can recommend a house to let in Sicily.”
“And a good physician.”
“Would you be opposed to bringing all the girls for a few weeks while we are in Rome?It would be interesting and educational for them all.The governesses can come along, and we’ll send them all home when we go on to Sicily.I think it is a better plan than just leaving them here the entire time we are gone, don’t you think?”
“It’s a marvelous idea.Mostly I’m looking forward to being alone with you when you aren’t thinking about making your next fortune or manipulating the world to your commands.”
“Well, I can only think of one thing that might make that possible.Would you be amenable to being naked all day, every day?”
“Sicily has some fine beaches, does it not?But I doubt I’ll be able to tempt you with this lump forming.I guess another fortune is in your future.”
They stopped at the end of the promenade walkway, and he took her in his arms as the rain continued to fall on his warm and bright life.
“I am a man and you a woman.If our destiny is to be naked on the sands of Sicily’s beaches, who am I to challenge such a fate?”he asked.All was well in his world.Almost all.
“Speaking of naked, there is one thing left to do,” Rose said.
“William?Ah, the naked truth.”There was still this one big problem he’d created.
“Yes.You’ll find a way to help rebuild the dukedom, I’m sure.And it is not as if you can’t act in the capacity of brother and uncle.”
Matthew glanced around to confirm they were alone.The rain still thrummed against the house and through the tree leaves.“How long do you think I will get away with that before the truth comes out?I have no plans to ruin my son’s future, uncle or not.And what will I do when you and I have a son?What to do about William then?”
“There is a way, Matthew.You’ve conquered worse situations.I think that you should feel pleased you are able to help, no matter the despicable way it all came about.”
“More naked truth?”
“As your wife, I am here to deliver all the nakedness you can handle.”She lifted her brow and ran a hand beneath his jacket.
“I might have spoken wedding vows sooner with promises like that,” Matthew said.His gaze was drawn to the circular lane and the tall oaks of Highwood then to his wife who stared back, promises in her smile.“I made a good bargain, Rose.”
“I might have overpaid, but then I’m not the astute moneylender you are.”
“Love is priceless, darling Rose.And don’t’ worry, I’ll give you plenty of it.”
