“I see. Have I done something wrong?”
“Not at all. My friend is ensuring that I am being a good husband to you, and I will admit that I was short with him. You are my wife, after all, and not his.”
“Of course. I believe that I proved as much in the parlor room.”
He paused with his food halfway to his mouth. He thought back to that evening together, and given her wicked half-grin, he could tell that she was more than happy for them to have many more nights like that.
“He is a good friend, though,” she admitted. “It has helped that thetonknows not to be too unkind to me, for I have two dukes by my side. He is a good man, no matter what they say about him.”
“Indeed, he is, which is why I will not hold a grudge against him. I know that he means no harm, but I do not think we require any opinions about our match. It is the way that it is, and I would say we both benefit from it.”
“Greatly so, which is why I am pleased to have you home, even if the circumstances that brought you here could have been more ideal. Have you heard anything more about all of that?”
Spencer did not have anything to say about it. He had not thought about it since the last time he saw his cousin, because since that day, he had only had eyes for Anna. It did not matter how hard he tried to stop thinking of her; she filled his mind. Her laughter, her hair when it came undone, the way she looked in her nightgown.
The way she looked out of it.
“I have not,” he replied. “I ought to see what is happening, though I suppose we simply need to wait for all of the whispers to die down.”
“And in the meantime, I shall have you to myself.”
“Precisely. Speaking of which, though, is it not your meeting today?”
“Indeed, it is. I am to host it, and you are welcome to join us if you wish.”
“Of course not. It is your time with your friends, and I will not intrude upon that. I may see them all before they leave, though, if you wish.”
Her eyes sparkled.
“I would like that very much. They are coming around to you, you know.”
Spencer was not expecting to be as pleased about that as he was. He had never once thought that the opinions of his wife’s friends would matter to him, but they did. He wanted their approval, for they knew Anna better than anyone, and if they liked him, then it meant he was possibly even worthy of her.
That afternoon, while Anna was away, he planned to spend time in his study with his papers. He hoped to find a way to prove himself, and quickly, though he had to admit that his urgency was waning. He was enjoying his life as a duke, and for the first time in his life, he did not feel the need to run.
He would have to eventually, but at least it would be easier this time. He could make plans, inform his wife of what was happening, and arrange his return. All would be easier than before, and if Anna was indeed happy for him to do what was necessary, then their marriage would only strengthen.
“Is everything prepared?” he asked Anna as he passed the drawing room.
“Indeed. We shall be reading one of the romance books you purchased for us today.”
“Then I hope you find some inspiration within the pages,” he suggested, enjoying the pink staining in her cheeks.
“I shall see what I think.”
He left for his study feeling lighter than he had in years. Everything was falling into place, and all that he needed to do was secure his standing in London, and then all would be as he wanted it. It had been difficult, but it was all coming to an end, and in spite of himself, he was rather pleased that it had happened. It was, after all, making him a better man.
About an hour after the ladies arrived, however, his butler appeared. He was holding a tray of letters for him, and Spencer took them while thanking him. It was as usual: requests from tenants, information about quarrels, and invitations to events. He was about to write his responses when the final letter caught his eye.
He knew the handwriting all too well.
Spencer,
I need you to come home, and I need you to do so now. I cannot tell you why within the confines of this letter, but you will see once you arrive.
I will be waiting for you. Please do not make me wait long.
Yours,
