He wanted her, and he was in desperate need of her love. Was this not the very thing he had missed out on during his entire life?
Now, he had to prove he was up to the task of being a good husband.
He carefully checked the hallway, saw it was quiet, and slipped out of Eden’s room. He encountered no one along the way, although he did hear a door shut behind him.
No matter. It was probably someone who dared not be seen either.
Even if he encountered someone now, what did it matter? Getting out of Eden’s room unnoticed was the tricky part. Being observed walking down the hall toward his ducal quarters would raise no eyebrows. Even if some were raised, they could only guess which young lady he had been visiting.
Once in his quarters, he removed his clothes and tossed them aside for his valet to attend to in the morning. He was not usually so careless with his clothing, but he was exhausted and knew he would not get more than three or four hours of sleep tonight.
Eden liked to wake early, and so did his children. He was often up at the crack of dawn himself, but today would be a struggle.
Connor was certain his eyes had barely shut before his valet entered his bedchamber to wake him. He heard the distant chime of the hallway clock indicating the seven o’clock hour, and groaned.
“Rough night, Your Grace?” His valet, Holden, shook his head and tsked as he picked up the clothes Connor had left strewn on the carpet, which was something he never usually did because he liked things neat and orderly.
“A bit.” Connor rolled to a sitting position with another groan and glanced down at himself. He’d fallen asleep naked atop his covers, too tired to even bother slipping under them. His head was pounding. Sunlight blinded him as Holden drew aside the drapes. “Gad! Close them a little, will you? That’s too bright.”
“That is sunshine, Your Grace. You always like the drapes thrown wide.”
“Not this morning. I need a bath and a shave.”
This was his usual morning routine, a tub rolled in at seven o’clock each morning when he returned from his early ride. He had missed that ride today.
No matter—he would have one of his grooms take Achilles through his paces.
He washed and dressed, then headed to the breakfast room in the hope of finding Eden. There were only a handful of people up at this hour, and she, he was pleased to note, was one of them. She was seated beside Lord Aubrey and quietly chatting with him as she had her cup of tea.
“Good morning,” Connor said, taking the seat to the right of her, since Aubrey was seated to her left. He motioned for a footman to pour him his usual cup of coffee, and gave a nod of thanks when the chore was promptly done. Steam drifted upward from his cup, and the rich aroma livened his senses that were still too much alive from the memory of undressing Eden mere hours ago.
She cast him a pleasant smile. “Good morning.” But her smile began to falter as she studied him.
He arched an eyebrow as he sipped his coffee.
She began to nibble her lip, no doubt wondering whether she had dreamed him up last night. He would tell her later, assure her it was not her imagination running wild. But this was not something to be discussed in front of others.
“Have you seen the children yet?” he asked her.
She nodded. “Millie is helping them get ready for the day. Your boys have already polished off the scones and apples meant for their pouches. We’ll gather more before we head out.”
“You really needn’t join us, Lynton,” Aubrey said. “You’re not a bird watcher and will only be bored. Besides, I do not see that any other guests intend to join us. Why not do what you must around here this morning and meet us later at the church fair? I’m sure you’ll have takers for that outing. My sister, for one. Bring her along with you.”
He was about to tell the viscount to shove his idea up his arse, but Brewster rushed in just then and motioned to him. “Excuse me,” Connor said to Eden, and immediately strode toward his butler, who appeared quite anxious. “What’s wrong?”
“Lord Darrow has taken a turn for the worse, it seems.”
His heart tightened for Eden’s sake. As bad as her parents were, they were all she had, and she cared for them. “Do you know if the doctor has been summoned?”
“I’m afraid the messenger did not say. He was only told to inform Lady Eden to come home as soon as possible.”
Connor nodded. “I’ll take her straight over there. Have my carriage readied.”
“At once, Your Grace.”
He returned to the breakfast room, and had yet to utter a word to Eden before she leaped out of her seat. “It is my father, isn’t it? I should have stayed at Chestnut Hill.”
Connor put a hand to her elbow to calm her. “Do not dare blame yourself for any of this. You did all you could have done. Sitting with him would have changed nothing. We’re not even sure there is a problem.”
