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It took a while for Andrew to get control over his body enough to pull out of Tabitha and climb into bed next to her. This was almost as enjoyable as their lovemaking... almost. Just having Tabitha near him was enough to make Andrew happy.
He planted a gentle kiss on Tabitha's shoulder. “I want you with me always. No separate rooms when we’re married. I need you in my bed every night.”
Tabitha smiled at his comment. “Are you sure you won’t tire of me, Your Grace? I hear a lot of husbands tire of their wives and that it’s acceptable for them to take lovers.”
“My love, I think you know by now that I am not like most men.”
She laughed.
“Unlike other men, I am in love with the woman I shall marry, and I can’t even fathom anyone else in my life. I love you to the very depths of my soul.”
He sealed the statement with a kiss, as they drifted off into a dreamless sleep, the worries of the day forgotten in the security and love they shared in each other's arms.
CHAPTER30
The morning light peeked through the window as a new day started. Tabitha felt a hand placed possessively over her waist, pulling her tight against Andrew’s chest. The steady beat of his heart nearly lulled her back to sleep. It was wonderful to wake up next to him. But she knew their contentment could not last long. There were things that needed to be done.
Phillip and Andrew were still in danger, but at least they had more allies. There was strength in numbers, and theirs were growing.
Tabitha was replaying last night in her mind when she suddenly remembered something.
“Oh, no,” she said, shooting up in bed.
“What’s wrong?” Andrew asked.
“My mother,” she said, putting a hand to her forehead. “She’ll be wondering where I was last night. I was only supposed to see your grandmother for dinner. Mother is probably worried sick about me.”
She got out of bed to gather her dress when she saw the state of the garment.
“How am I supposed to go out in this?” Tabitha held the dress up for Andrew to see. The front of the dress was ripped, with missing buttons and a split down to the waist. “I have no dress since someone tore it to pieces last night.”
“Never fear, my darling.” Andrew rose from the bed, unashamed of his undressed state. “We will see if my grandmother has an extra dress for you, then we will both go to your parent’s house. I suppose it’s time I declare my intentions of marrying you.”
“But you’re supposed to be in hiding.”
“Don’t worry. Besides, no one in London knows what’s happening in Essex. I will come straight back here after I leave your house.”
Tabitha shook her head, not pleased that Andrew was risking his safety for her.
He must have sensed her displeasure because he was at her side the next second. “I’ll be fine. Later today, I’ll meet with Thorne and the others to see what the next step is. I’ll keep you informed and write to you.”
“All right, but it doesn’t mean I won’t stop worrying.”
“I know, and I love you for that.” He kissed her quickly before putting on a dressing robe. “I’ll ring for George, and we’ll see what we can do about finding you suitable attire.”
Within the hour, the couple arrived at Bedford residence with Tabitha clothed in a dress the dowager duchess had found for her. Thankfully, Andrew’s grandmother had asked no questions, not that she had to since it was obvious that Tabitha had spent the night.
Tabitha gnawed her lip, trying to figure the best way to explain her absence to her parents. She didn’t have long to wait since the ride was brief.
Once they entered the house, Tabitha went straight to the dining room. At this hour, her parents should be having breakfast.
Lord and Lady Bedford looked up in surprise to see the couple standing in the doorway. Her mother was the first to speak. “Tabitha, my dear, what are you wearing? And what happened to your hair? You look dreadful.”
“I never came home last night, Mother.”
“Oh,” was all she said, her gaze narrowed. “Then where were you? I thought you were having dinner with the Dowager Duchess of Holcombe?”
Andrew quickly responded. “The invitation was a ruse on my part, your ladyship. I knew it would not be proper to ask Tabitha over to dine with me alone, so I wrote a letter under the guise of my grandmother asking her to come to my house.”
