“Still, you must rest. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon?—”
“Alfred, I will not tolerate being told what I can and cannot do.”
Her tone is severe indeed and I reel back. I hadn’t intended to be controlling. I only wanted to protect her.
“That is not my intention. I hate that I am the cause of your illness. I want to make it better.”
“Youare not the cause. Or if you are,weare both the cause. And you cannot make it better. You can only do so much. You have been a great help this morning.”
“I am at your command in all things, Annabelle, but especially in this. You should, of course, go to the counting house if that is what you desire. It is only?—”
I break off, not sure if I want to continue. It is not relevant, really, to what is happening between us now.
“It is only what?”
“It is nothing.”
“I don’t like when you begin to say something and then stop yourself. Please just say it.”
“My father,” I say, reluctant to bring up the man. “I did not feel he was sufficiently attentive to Emily. During her pregnancy.”
“Somehow that does not surprise me.”
“She was very ill every day. And he ignored it, expecting her to see to all of her household duties as usual.”
“Did she object to such treatment?”
“Emily is very mild-mannered. She never goes against my father.”
“You do not want to be like him.”
“No,” I say. “I do not.”
“Don’t worry,” Annabelle says. “You aren’t.”
“Still,” I warn her. “It is not fair, is it? That a woman carries so much of the burden of bringing a child into the world. I want to do what I can to lessen the strain on you. To somehow make it more equal.”
“Unfortunately, I do not think any amount of effort on your part will do that.”
I smile at her wry tone. “You are undoubtedly correct. But I can try.”
“Well, if you are at my service then, will you escort me to the counting house?”
I flush with pleasure at this offer. I didn’t think she intended to include me on her sojourn to the center of her empire. And I very much want to see it.
“Absolutely, my love.”
“You mustn’t become jealous,” she says. “At the vastness of my power.”
I sweep her hand to my lips.
“That is not the kind of thing that wouldmake me jealous, Annabelle. I will leave the vast power to you. If you reserve the privilege of pleasuring you and loving you to me.”
She smiles a bit at that even though she does not meet my gaze.
“Well, I suppose I cannot refuse those terms.”
“Then don’t.”
