“Matthew, what do you think? I feel sure the Marquess of Debt would most readily accept her.”
“I prefer she marry someone who can support her, my dear. Not someone whom I shall have to support.”
“I suppose there is that.” Fortuity shifted against him with a heavy sigh.
“I know you do not trust her. We shall be alert and confirm everything she tells either of us.” He halted at the bottom of the stairs and pulled her into his arms. “You are my everything, Fortuity. Know that and never forget it, no matter what comes to pass.”
“That sounds rather ominous.” A worried pout plumped her tempting lips as she lovingly touched his cheek. “I do not wish forusto move backward rather than forward. While we are much better than we were, I still worry—”
“Stop worrying.” He treated her to a long, slow kiss that made him wish they were still upstairs, Eleanor be damned. But he supposed duty called, and the longer they left his cousin down there alone, the less they knew about any plots she might be planning. He grudgingly ended the kiss and pressed his forehead to Fortuity’s. “I love you, Fortuity. Always. Please know that with every bit of your heart.”
“I am trying.” She framed his face with her hands and gave him a faint smile. “I have loved you much longer than you have loved me—remember?”
“Not true. I simply failed to realize I loved you because I was a clot-headed fool.” He wished they had more time for him to reassure her, and reassure her he would. All the rest of his days, if need be. But for now, he turned and laced her arm through his.“Come, my precious wren, we must go to war now and face the enemy.”
“Indeed.”
As they entered the parlor, Eleanor rose with a strained smile pasted across her noticeably flushed face. “Cousins, thank you ever so much for allowing me back into your home.”
“Temporarily.” Matthew wasn’t about to let down his guard nor allow Eleanor to believe she could put down roots and torment them for any longer than the month he and Fortuity had granted her.
The chit batted her lashes as if her eyes were suddenly stricken with dust motes. “Of course, my lord. I would never suggest otherwise.” She offered Fortuity a hesitant smile and curtsied. “Marriage suits you, my lady. I have never seen you looking so beautiful.”
Fortuity accepted the obvious flummery with a curt dip of her chin and a cold “Thank you.”
Eleanor’s smile faltered. “You would not believe it is Mother, were you to see her now.” She shifted her focus back to Matthew. “Marrying the vicar has turned her into a laughing, carefree lady once again.”
“I daresay if she is a proper vicar’s wife, she will not be carefree for very long.” He led Fortuity to the settee and seated himself beside her. “She will often be called upon to assist him in serving his flock.”
“I suppose.” Eleanor nervously resettled herself in her chair.
“Why are you really here, Eleanor?” Fortuity asked.
Proud of his wife for firing a warning shot, Matthew nodded. “Yes, cousin, tell us. The truth, if you please?”
The dark-haired troublemaker sat there with her mouth ajar, eyeing them both. “I told you in my letter. Mother’s happiness is of the utmost importance to me, and time alone with her new husband would surely help them build a more solid foundation.”
“Did they send you away as Matthew did after your performance at Lady Burrastone’s ball?” Fortuity jutted her chin higher, clearly itching to do battle.
Eleanor stiffened and jerked her attention from Fortuity back to him. “Are you not keeping your wife happy, my lord? I have never known her to be so harsh.”
“Answer her,” he replied. “What you deem as harshness is merely the forthrightness taught to her by your prior behavior.” He reached over and took Fortuity’s hand in his own. “In fact, you taught it to us both. Did they send you away, Eleanor? What devil’s work did you stir in the country?”
His cousin lowered her gaze. “As I am sure you have already surmised, they thought it was high time I returned to London to find a husband.”
“Your mother would not usually send you away,” Matthew said, sensing there was more to be told. “The woman constantly made excuses for you. What changed?”
“Mrs. Palmeroy from the parish did not take a liking to me,” Eleanor said, her familiar waspishness emerging. “She turned the rest of the gentry against me and even complained to the vicar.”
“Your mother wrote that a month’s visit to London would be most appreciated and should be adequate. Is she hoping for the parish to calm by then, or is there perhaps aMr.Palmeroy who might be out of harm’s way by the time you return?”
When she failed to answer, he knew he’d hit upon the truth. Knowing it would cost him to fund her dowry, taking away coin that rightfully belonged to his future children, Matthew gritted his teeth. Damn the selfish girl. He should’ve left her to her fate in India.
“Thebson!” he bellowed, flinching when Fortuity jumped. “Forgive me, darling. I did not mean to startle you.”
The butler rushed into the room with alarm. “Yes, my lord?”
“Show Miss Sykesbury to her room. Immediately.”
