Hudson’s eyes snapped up from the letter to arrest hers. “He’s fine.”
She swayed. “W-what?”
Hudson grabbed her arms to steady her. “He’s the same as he was when you left. No better, no worse. Dr. Collins stands by his estimation of yet another month or so before you lose your father. Don’t fret. The marquess is still alive.”
Tabitha collapsed against Hudson’s chest and sobbed.
He folded his arms around her protectively and let her cry in silence.
“He must be so worried about me,” she mumbled, salty tears wetting her lips.
“He’s annoyed,” Hudson said flatly. “He believes you’re rebelling against his good judgment, and has already advised the viscount to keep a tight leash once you’re wed.”
Tabitha let out a choking laugh. Foolish girl. Of course her father wasn’t worrying about her. When had he ever? It was just another misstep in the eternal dance of Tabitha disappointing her father by having thoughts of her own, and scrambling to win back his favor however she could.
She lifted her face from Hudson’s chest and wiped her tears away. “Still. A good daughter would never have—”
“You don’t want to know how I think a good father should act toward his daughter.”
She blinked up at him. “You no longer believe my week of freedom to be folly?”
“I hate everything about your situation,” Hudson replied, then lifted her chin with his knuckle. “Except for the stolen moments I share with you.”
She sucked in a shuddering breath and wrapped her arms about his neck. “In that case…”
Their mouths came together with hunger. But Tabitha was no longer content with mere kisses. Two days of their short week were already gone. This was her one chance to know love... and pleasure. Her only opportunity to be with Hudson. To be free, and safe, and happy.
She was not going to waste a single moment of it.
Chapter 20
An hour later, Tabitha gazed at Hudson over the breakfast table in the inn’s public dining room.
His eyes narrowed. “What?”
“Just thinking about how we might spend the day,” she answered innocently.
If anything, the suspicious look on his face grew more pronounced. He leaned back from his empty plate and crossed his arms over his wide chest. “What did you have in mind?”
She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Perhaps an encore at the river? With a picnic blanket this time?”
“Tabitha—”
“Or we can go back upstairs. The bed was nice and comfortable. I wouldn’t mind spending another hour or two beneath the covers… with you.”
“Tabitha, a few kisses are one thing—”
“Mrs. Snowfeather,” she reminded him firmly. “And unless I’m mistaken, one of the most common activities enjoyed by a Mr. and Mrs. is the act of—”
“Sightseeing,” he interrupted. Hudson pulled her to her feet and tucked her arm securely around his. “A man and a woman on holiday would not waste the long trip by tarrying indoors.”
“Remind me never to go on honeymoon with you,” she muttered.
Heat glittered in his eyes, but he locked his jaw firmly. “We’re in Marrywell. What would you like to see first?”
She opened her mouth.
“And don’t you dare say my cock,” he warned her under his breath.
