“It is the only good thing about the boy being unwell. She knows she cannot care for him adequately, and if she wants him to feel better, then she needs to be here with him. Fortunately, she did the sensible thing and came with me.”
He rose from his seat and sat beside her, his hand resting gently on her thigh. It had only been a week since she felt his touch, but it was intoxicating. Anna had to will herself not to give in to him completely from that alone, for she wanted nothing more than to stop talking and engage in one of the many things she had missed about him being there.
“I know you may not understand completely, and truthfully, I cannot ask that of you, but I thank you for at least trying. I will find a solution for all of this, one where all of us are happy.”
“Must it truly be so difficult to do?”
“Anna, our reputation is hanging by a thread. An illegitimate sister is enough to ruin us entirely, which leaves me unable to care for either of you.”
“It is hardly hanging by a thread,” Anna pointed out. “Since your return, we are being seen as far more respectable. Not only that, but that awful cousin of yours was run off when you told the trustees what had happened. All is well, as far as I am concerned.”
“And you are not the only one concerned,” he reminded her gently. “My sister is afraid that people will gossip, something that did not happen where she lived before. Nobody had time toidly discuss everyone else, and that was what she needed in her circumstances.”
“And what precisely were those circumstances?”
He shifted uncomfortably, unable to look at her.
“It is best that she tells you herself. It is a sore spot for her, a wound even.”
“Very well. I know how it feels to have secrets, after all. Perhaps I might take her to meet my group? I am set to host on Wednesday.”
“That would be brilliant.”
“As for us,” she said tentatively, “where does this leave you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know precisely what I mean. Will you be leaving often, even if we find somewhere nearer for her to stay?”
“I do not know. It depends on what is needed of me. Sophia’s vision is fading, and that means she is not particularly self-sufficient, and she recoiled at the suggestion of servants when I offered. She told me that she is not completely useless, and the discussion ended. If I can convince her to stay closer, I will stillneed to ensure everything is as it should be where she is, though I am sure you could accompany me.”
Anna bit her lip, looking up at him.
“And what if she did not need to be too far away at all? What if she could stay here?”
“Out of the question,” he said firmly, standing.
“But we need not say she isyourfamily.”
He looked at her then, in such a way that she expected him to tell her not to help him. His eyes flickered down to her chest, and then back up again as though he were committing a sin.
“We could say that she is a cousin of mine,” she continued. “We could say that her husband passed away, and that she is staying with me for a while. Perhaps, in that time, she might meet a nice gentleman, and–”
“Anna–”
“Yes, I know. You see this as an act of pity and nothing more, and you cannot accept your wife’s help again. You find it demeaning, and you cannot allow it. That pride you claim your sister has is clearly a family trait.”
But instead of arguing, he stepped forward, pressing his lips to hers. Her eyes widened briefly before closing, reciprocating with enthusiasm. He pulled away briefly, smirking playfully.
“I can accept my wife’s help. I only wish that she would, at times, be quiet and let me talk.”
“Did you want to talk?” she asked.
He chuckled, gently pushing her back onto the bed so her hair flowed around her.
“Not particularly. Not now, just as you asked.”
He was hovering over her, one hand by the side of her head and the other gently sliding her skirts up her legs. He kissed her neck, and she quivered. His touch was gentle, but it burned her. Her back arched, impatient.
