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“Does it feel unnatural now?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No, it is just…I never imagined myself acting like that. Then I go about being a lady again? All the world sees me…as proper.”
I laughed outright, kissing the sides of her face, then her lips. “No one should ever know what occurs between a husband and wife. Your sinful moments are for me and me alone. Forever.”
I kissed down the side of her neck, coming to her breast.
“Evander,” she muttered, leaning into my touch. “I cannot be distracted. I must go.”
Sighing, I raised my head. “Very well.” I kissed her lips once more. “I shall go with you.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I have not been to town in quite some time.”
“Then I should make haste,” she said, taking her dressing gown as she moved to her private room.
Rising from the bed, I stretched. I did not wish to go, but Idid not want to be away from her, either. More importantly, I worried for her, especially now that I had gotten Fitzwilliam’sletter and knew that Datura had settled down not more than ten minutes from this house. They were up to something, I was sure. But when would they attack? And how? I preferred them to strike at my heel now so that I could finally be done with them instead of this unknowing that tortured me.
“Evander?”
“Yes?” I turned back to see her head poking around the door.
“Emeline shall be coming with us.”
“You wish to bring her?”
She nodded. “It will be good for us all to go together. After all, we are a family now, right?”
Her kindness humbled me. “Of course, but I am not sure she is awake.”
“I will send someone—actually, I will get dressed and go myself.”
“Whatever you wish.” I smiled.
She grinned and went back into her room.
The more dedicated she was, the more I felt a desire to watch over her, to keep her close. Oh, dear lord, a lifetime of this?
Nothing would make me happier, truly.
Aphrodite
“You should be aware of some gossip I heard, Your Grace, from around town,” Eleanor whispered as we walked the empty hall to Emeline’s room. “I believe it is what brought the dowager here.”
“Tell me.”
Eleanor frowned heavily, her face severe. “Apparently, the talk is that you are cruel…to the young miss.”
I gasped. “I beg your pardon?”
“They said that you detest her presence, as she is evidence of the duke’s…past wife. And you take your anger out on the child.”
“That is horrid.” Why would I abuse a child because of her mother? Even if it had not all been a tragic set of circumstances, Emeline was still not to blame. “It is very good that she comes with us. Seeing us all together will help kill any such talk. But you must seek out the source.” I paused, looking her over. “There has been much said about the dowager, but she would not create such tales herself, correct?”
“Truly, I do not know, Your Grace. Different people tell me different things. I thought to bring this to you since it came from the town.”
I understood what she meant. I exhaled as she opened the door for me. Inside, Mrs. Watson was once again doing Emeline’s hair, though Emeline was nodding off slightly.
