“Her focus was on ensuring I lived as full a life as possible, as I was liable to have it curtailed. And to remind me she would always love me. But how—” Evan choked up again and gulped a fortifying swallow of whisky. “—can she love me when she doesn’t recognize me?”
Robert shook his head. “I don’t think it works like that, Bags. Love underlies it all for a parent. She did everything she could to prepare you for this time out of that love. And said that to mitigate your pain when it got hard.”
“Well, it did no such thing. And I cannot imagine doing that to a wife or child.”
“How did you find a new nurse so quickly? You’ve been gone less than a month.”
“Didn’t I tell you? Beth had agreed to help me find Lucy’s replacement. It was how she got Althea her audience with me. That and her friendship with Penelope.”
“Ah. I wondered what brought about that interest in an apothecary, beyond the attractive owner. You usually seduce the owner but decline the investment. That girl is wily. And she is close to Penelope. Interesting.”
“The girl knows everyone. Her network rivals Charlotte’s, mayhap even mine.” Evan referenced the Dowager Duchess of Peterborough, one of his closest friends who competed with him in finding the best investments.
“Really? Why does she need such a network?”
“She excels at bringing people together who need each other. Or one who needs something with one who has the exact thing the other needs. It seems to be a passion, like your leatherwork. She ferreted out my need for a new nurse for my mother and offered to find one for me. I suspect she loves doing it because she enjoys finding people’s place to fit in this world. Mayhap because she hasn’t found her own.”
“Hmph. Well, mayhap I should hire her. Whilst I’ve restocked leather, I am short on buckles and other accessories. And my blacksmith is getting older and has been talking of going to live with his daughter and son-in-law to spend more time with his grandchildren.”
“Just say the word. She’ll likely have you three candidates in a fortnight.”
A tempting excuse to spend time with her again. Damn. He tried changing the subject. “How was the rest of your time in Town?” He wondered if Evan had managed to seduce Althea yet.
“Frustrating. Slow. But, finally productive, I think.”
“So she invited you to invest?”
“Not exactly. Care for a trip to Bath?”
Yes! I thought you’d never ask.Robert managed a casual shrug. “Why not?”
****
As their carriage entered the outskirts of Bath, Beth sat forward. Another adventure awaited, a new city, new experiences. Cheltie had praised all three candidates for a nurse, which was satisfying. And after he got Nancy settled, he’d meet her and Althea at a guesthouse he’d specified. Would Robert be with him?
The dratted man had hied off to Cheltenham after his abbreviated appearance at the last ball. She was furious at him. She hadn’t gotten to see his latest designs. However, her real issue was the explosive elongated orgasms he had gifted her at the house party. She relived them every night in bed—alone. Hence the fury.
After Owen failed to interest her, she’d attempted to engage a stable hand. But again, looking at his lean, muscular form left her cold. Despite that, she’d kissed him, then had to excuse herself, an embarrassment for which she also blamed Robert.
Knowing Cheltie, he’d drag Robert along. Cheltie could make everything a party. She also hoped he’d want Robert to entertain her, so he could garner more time with Althea.
Sure enough, there were four rooms reserved at the small but luxurious guesthouse near the river, a short walk north of the city center. The men’s rooms were on the first floor, above the public rooms, and the ladies’ rooms were above them. Smaller and less opulent than the guest room they’d shared at Greenborough Park, the rooms were nevertheless well-appointed. A small desk, wardrobe and bedframe all matched, and the neutral creams and golds of the linens and upholstery were a pleasing contrast to the dark wood. Beth noted the posts on the bedframes, in case Robert had strap configurations that would benefit from them.
Or rather that I would benefit from.
The men had arrived and already ventured back out. Althea always preferred to unpack immediately to hang her gowns. Beth took only a minute to decide to wait for Robert in his room, hoping to provoke him into a quick tumble before the evening meal. She could not recall the last time she’d gone this long without a bedmate.
After stripping off her warmer gown and petticoat, she donned one thin petticoat and a blush-colored silk gown. She contemplated dampening it, but the wind off the river was sharpening as the afternoon wore on, and they’d likely walk to supper.
Running down one flight, she found one door locked and the other unlocked and hoped for the best.
Her nipples peaked with the hope of Robert’s hands on them, and her thighs rubbed together to assuage the ache between them. She contemplated the bed, the chair—oh, memories of him and chairs—and the window. Unsure of her welcome, she decided the light from the window filtering through her gown to show her figure would overcome any resistance from him.
From her vantage point, her gaze roamed the room for new projects, items she might test for Robert.
Hearing footsteps in the hall, she arched her back to thrust her best feature out. The door opened.
“Rob— Oh, Cheltie. Lovely to see you.” She gave a shallow curtsy. “I beg your pardon. I thought this was my room but had just realized my mistake. I believe I stopped one floor too early. If you’ll excuse me, I shall correct that immediately.”
