Cadwick appeared with impeccable timing. “Yes, my lady?”
“Tea, please, and brandy.”
The butler nodded and disappeared.
Stoking her courage, she faced her unhappy husband, her precious Matthew. “I did not leave to torment you or the animals. The thievery of my book was the tipping point. I had to escape for a little while. Speak to someone who would hear me as I needed to be heard.”
He resettled his footing and dropped his gaze, looking well and truly ashamed. “I am sorry that I was not more understanding about the pain and torment of the gossip.” He rolled his shoulders in a frustrated shrug. “Men do not worry so much about the tongue waggers, or at least, I never have. But Mrs. Greer helped me realize how different it is for ladies.”
Fortuity couldn’t help but smile. “Are you all right?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Mrs. Greer’s explanations can sometimes be fierce.”
He scrubbed his jaw while squinting one eye shut. “Let us just say it was very enlightening.” He deflated with a heavy sigh. “And then the book—damn and blast it all, Fortuity. I will never forgive myself for allowing that conniving chit to hurt you that way.”
“But you sent Eleanor away, yes?” She had been so upset and her head had still pounded, so she wasn’t sure if that was what he had told her or if it was merely her own wishful thinking.
“Back to her father’s family in Bombay. The only way she will ever return to England is if they ship her back or she marries someone rich enough to bring her here. I have washed my hands of her and notified Agnus of that fact as well.”
Fortuity found herself breathing easier. “Good.” She ached to run into his arms, but just couldn’t bring herself to do so. Granted, she hadsomewhatoverreacted by fleeing, but he had as much as patted her on the head and told her to stop being sosilly about Eleanor and Olandra. At least now he realized that her issues with Eleanor were well founded. Battling with her pride and stubbornness, she stared at the floor, not entirely sure what else to say.
“I know this book cannot be changed, but future—”
She turned away and held up a hand to interrupt him. “I am not entirely certain there will be any future books.” That disappointment was still too fresh, too raw.
“I love your stories, Fortuity. They give me a glimpse into your soul. Even if you decide never to publish again, will you please continue writing them for me?”
A lump of emotions made her throat ache. She swallowed hard to be rid of it. Still not facing him, she kept her gaze locked on the floor. “I cannot promise that.”
The heat of him behind her made her close her eyes and breathe in his nearness.Please hold me,her heart begged, but she bit her lip to keep the words inside. There was still the matter of Olandra. Would he continue to think her silly about that too?
“I love you, Fortuity,” he whispered, “and I will never brush off your worries or take your uneasiness about anything lightly ever again. I swear it. Please come home.”
She couldn’t bear it any longer. Whirling about, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight. “I love you too, Matthew. I am so very sorry for this uproar.”
He crushed her closer and buried his face against her neck. “Thank God Almighty,” he said in a rasping whisper. “I feared I had lost you.”
“No!” Thorne gave an anguished cry from the parlor’s doorway. “My Blessing? Our babe?”
Chapter Fifteen
“Thorne, no!” Fortuitysprang away from Matthew. “Last I saw her, Blessing was growling at the nurse and accoucheur, and little Starpeeper was causing her a great deal of discomfort, as is expected.”
“Praise God Almighty.” Thorne sagged against the door.
“Forgive us for giving you such a fright,” Matthew said, regretting his friend’s sudden pallor. He offered Fortuity an apologetic smile. “I was a fool and nearly lost my precious wife. But thankfully, she has granted me a second chance to do better.”
Thorne gave him a damning look as he straightened and entered the parlor. “Yes. My wife made mention of Fortuity’s unhappiness over the past few weeks. Several times, in fact. Consider yourself lucky, old man. The only thing that kept her from storming Ravenglass Townhouse and boxing your ears was her unwieldy condition. These Broadmere sisters protect one another fiercely.”
Matthew hugged Fortuity to his side, needing the feel of her against him. Breathing her in and relaxing in the warm, familiar sweetness of her lilac scent, he couldn’t resist pressing a kiss to her temple. “You have no idea how lucky I consider myself, and I will not make the same mistake again.”
Cadwick and a footman entered with tea, a decanter of brandy, and an additional decanter of spirits and glasses. “My lord,” the butler said to Thorne, “I took the liberty of bringingyour favorite port as well. I thought you might require it under the circumstances.”
“Well done, Cadwick.” Nervously pacing the room, Thorne kept glancing at the ceiling. “How long do these things usually take?” he asked Fortuity.
Matthew also wanted to know, since he sincerely hoped to be in the same situation as Thorne one day in the near future. “Yes, with so many siblings, do you remember?”
