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“Is that it?” Fergus asked.
“That is all, for now, Your Grace,” he said, with a bow.
* * *
Fergus waited the rest of the morning and into the afternoon for Edwina to come home, growing more and more impatient. He tried to tell himself that she just spent time with her father, perhaps even conducted some errands in the city, but he grew increasingly irritable waiting for her, his own insecurities telling him that she wanted to avoid him.
Convinced that she was disgusted by him and was intentionally avoiding him, his anger made him want to fly down the stairs to demand where she had been when he heard the carriage come up the drive. He breathed deeply, trying to control his anger, telling himself to be reasonable.
He felt tight as he descended the stairs, nervous about how she might receive him. He found her untying her bonnet, chatting happily with the butler.
“I got a parcel of ribbons and some silk from the draper. I am so excited to see how it gets made up. I am sure you do not care about that.”
“We are glad you had a good visit in town,” the butler said, bowing to her with a smile. “I shall have one of the footmen bring up your parcels.”
“Oh, there is one for His Grace,” Edwina pointed out.
“For me?” Fergus asked, interrupting them.
Edwina turned, wide-eyed, her face neutral. “Your Grace,” she said, dipping into a curtsey. “Yes, I went to the shops and brought some things home.”
“May I speak to you for a moment?” he asked. Edwina glanced nervously at Lizbeth, and Fergus could not help but notice the butler’s tight expression.
“Please?” he asked, offering his arm, trying to maintain a gentle expression on his face. She put her hand on his arm dutifully which made him feel that she only obeyed him because he was her husband. His guilt only increased. Guiding her to the parlor, he led her to a seat and sat next to her.
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior last night,” he explained.
“Oh,” she said, taken aback.
“I should not have spoken with you in that tone,” he continued. “I still feel strongly about it, but I was harsh with you.”
“Oh,” she repeated. Her mouth parted slightly, her lips full and red. Even though he was trying to be genuine and heartfelt, he could not help but think of how he wanted to kiss her. The thought overwhelmed his mind, and he could not think of what else he had thought to say to her.
“Thank you for your apology,” she said, saving him from his distraction. “I should apologize, as well, for intentionally being a pest to you.”
“Apology accepted,” he said, smiling wryly, before asking, “Will you forgive me?” She tilted her head slightly, exposing her pale neck, a flawless length of skin that begged for his mouth. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Not yet,” she said, at last. “Perhaps, with time, if you conduct yourself more adequately.”
“I can try,” he assured her, standing. He offered her his hand. “The groom has obtained some horses for our inspection. Will you join me?”
She laughed, a musical sound that instantly made him smile. “I am sure I have no idea about what makes a good horse, but, of course, I will join you. Perhaps you can show me what to look for.”
As she put her dainty hand in his, the memory of her fingers wrapped around him flashed in his mind. He cleared his throat and put her hand on his arm, trying to distance himself from the thought. He desired her immensely, and his desire seemed to pervade any coherent thoughts he had.
“What does one look for in a horse?” she asked.
Thankful for her question, he cleared his throat and led them toward the stables. “Well, my greatest concern at the moment is the temperament. I would be looking for a gentle horse and not skittish. One that is in good health and of good breeding.”
“My, not picky at all!” she teased.
“It is a serious matter,” he continued. “The wrong horse could pose a danger to you if it was of the wrong temperament. It could be a poor investment if it was of poor health.”
“I realize the magnitude,” she assured him, her teasing smile fading. “You can be quite serious.”
“I know,” he replied simply.
When they arrived at the stables, they found the groom in the paddock with four horses. He seemed to be inspecting one, running his hands down her flanks. A stable boy held the horse’s halter, keeping it still.
