"Aubrey!" Eleanor glanced around frantically to ensure no servants were within earshot. "You can't say such things."
"I'm your husband. I can say anything I like to you." But his expression softened, became more tender. "Though you're right that I'm probably toodisabled for anything particularly athletic at the moment. Pity. The things I'd like to do to you in that dress—"
"Would you like to sit down?" Eleanor interrupted desperately, trying to regain some composure. "Before you collapse?"
"A footman already went to fetch a chair." Aubrey's thumb traced her cheekbone gently. "I came down early. Before you arrived. I didn't want you to witness me being carried down the stairs by two footmen like a piece of furniture. It's rather undignified."
Eleanor's heart squeezed painfully. "You came down early—stood here waiting—so I wouldn't see that?"
"I wanted to surprise you." Aubrey's voice was soft now. "I wanted you to see me standing on my own. Well, with canes, but standing nonetheless. Wanted to kiss you properly, as a man should kiss his wife."
Tears pricked at Eleanor's eyes. "You shouldn't have pushed yourself."
"Yes, I should have." His hand cupped her face. "Eleanor, for two years you managed everything alone. Stood strong when I should have been standing beside you. The least I can do now is stand by your side to greet your guests. Even if it requires two canes and makes Morrison have an apoplexy about my stubbornness."
"Morrison is probably having an apoplexy about many things," Eleanor said, her voice unsteady. "You've been rather... demanding lately."
"I have a lot of time to make up for." Aubrey's eyes were intense. "A lot of standing I should have done. Starting now."
Tom the footman appeared then, carrying a sturdy armchair that he positioned near the wall. "My lord, your chair. Shall I help you?"
"No." Aubrey kept his eyes on Eleanor. "My wife will help me. Won't you,darling?"
Eleanor moved to his side immediately, providing support as he made his slow, painful way to the chair. She could feel him trembling with the effort, could see the tightness around his mouth that betrayed how much pain he was in.
When he was finally seated, a fine sheen of sweat covered his forehead.
"That was foolish," Eleanor said quietly, producing a handkerchief and gently wiping his brow.
"Probably." Aubrey caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. "But worth it to see your face. To kiss you like that. To stand beside you, even for just a moment."
Eleanor knelt beside his chair, her hand still in his, her green silk skirt pooling around her. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Aubrey."
"I know." His other hand came up to cradle her face. "But I need it. Need to feel like a man instead of an invalid. Need to be able to stand beside my wife when she looks like an angel descended from heaven."
"I'm not an angel."
"You are to me." Aubrey's thumb stroked her cheek. "My angel. My miracle. The woman who's given me more grace than I deserve and more chances than I've earned. And if standing for you is what it takes, then I'll stand every damn day until I can dance with you properly."
Eleanor's vision blurred with tears. "You're going to make me cry. And the children will be here any moment, and I can't greet them with red eyes."
"Then let me distract you." Aubrey tugged her up gently and had her sit on one knee. He then kissed her, softer this time, sweeter, but no less thorough. "Better?"
"Much worse," Eleanor whispered against his mouth. "Now I'm flushed and breathless and completely inappropriate for receiving orphans."
"Perfect." Aubrey's grin was unrepentant. "Exactly how I want you."
"You're impossible."
Before Eleanor could say more, Mrs Williams appeared in the doorway.
"My lady, my lord, Miss Penny and the children have arrived."
Eleanor stood quickly, smoothing her skirts. Aubrey struggled to push himself up using his canes, and his wife’s support.
And as the sound of children's voices and excited chatter filled the entrance hall, as two dozen orphans poured through the front door with wide eyes and barely contained energy, Eleanor stood beside her husband and felt something shift in her chest.
Something that felt dangerously like falling completely, irrevocably in love.
