“You have been working on this for hours. I thought you would appreciate a snack.” She put the tray on the table, and he joined her, sitting down on the floor across from her, leaning against an armchair – he found that sitting on the floor when he was pent up helped ground him. Vivian arched an eyebrow at him. “You need to look after yourself. Your grandmother will be furious if I let you become skin and bones.”
He arched an eyebrow at her and gestured to himself. “I do not think I am at risk of any such thing. Do you?”
Vivian smiled at him. “No, but I would prefer to keep it that way.”
He noticed that she was rubbing her right hand, and he frowned. “Are you hurt?”
She glanced down and shook her head. “Not really.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She bit her lip, looked down at the floor, and then back up at him. “Actually, I may have slapped the Viscount of Brixten. Twice.”
Thomas blinked. “You slapped him?”
“He heard you were ill and asked me to run away with him.” Vivian explained.
“He did what?” Thomas’s blood pounded in his ears. “Has the man gone completely mad?”
Has news of my impending death weakened my reputation so thoroughly?Thomas did not realize he had been shifting to stand until Vivian laid a hand on his arm. The warmth of her fingers spread through him, and he returned to his seat, jaw clenched so hard he feared his teeth would break.
“He is not worth your time, Thomas. Apparently, he has grown tired of his husbandly duties, especially now his young wife is pregnant.” Vivian’s lip curled. “So I slapped him. I suspect he will bear the mark for a few days. But it might be in the papers. We were in public when it happened.”
“It will be a change from them talking about me dying.” Thomas massaged his jaw.
“Another thing we have the Viscount to thank for.” Vivian scowled. “He is the source of the rumors. He thought it would help win me to his side.”
“You are too good for a worm like that.” Thomas growled. “But the man has crossed me for the last time. I cannot let this stand. I will remind him what it means to cross the Marquess of Elington. I will ruin him.”
“Do not.” Vivian shook her head, surprising Thomas. “As much as I want him to suffer for his actions, the true victims will be his poor wife and their child. They should not pay for his thoughtlessness. The Viscountess is young, naïve. He took advantage of that.”
How can she be so forgiving?The rage in his heart died to a gentle simmer as he looked at Vivian, listening to the compassion and practicality in her words.She is twice the woman I deserve.
“Very well. But I cannot let his behavior go unaddressed. It will only add fuel to the fire the wretch has started.” Thomas massaged his jaw.
“I wish we could make him do his duty. If he absconds like the coward he is…” Vivian shook her head.
“I think we can arrange that. I know of several business deals he is putting through, and a few of them owe me favors. I shall have them add morality clauses to the contract. If he breaks them, the contract will be void.” Thomas stroked his chin. “And in the meantime, I will see him barred from several of the gentleman’s clubs that will embarrass him. Your rejection will have hurt his pride, I am only sorry that I did not see you in action.”
“I suspect it is lucky for him that you were not there.” Vivian tilted her head toward him, making it a question.
“I doubt I would have responded well to such impudence from the man.” Thomas shook his head in disbelief. “He is either very stupid or truly believes that I am at death’s door. Most men would not dream of crossing me. After all, I have something of a reputation.”
“I do not think it is any indication of a change to your reputation, Thomas.” Vivian squeezed his hand. “You are still just as feared as when we first were married.”
“Not to you, I hope.” His eyes searched her face.
“No, quite the opposite. You may appear the cold, calculating Marquess to everyone else, but that is not really who you are.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
“And who do you think I am?”
“A kind and noble man. You are honest and witty. You are honorable and sweet.” She ran her thumb across the back of his knuckles, sending heat through his hand into his arm and chest. “You make me feel safe.”
“That is my duty. I am your husband and your Marquess.” He swallowed around the lump in his throat.
He wanted her to feel safe. He was glad that he had given that to her. He wanted to tell her how important she was to him, but it would not be fair. He swallowed the words.
A look flashed across her face, and she bit her lip. “Is it only duty?”
