“What?” Prim was surprised.
He opened the box. The most delicate necklace rested against red velvet. An elegant golden chain that ended in an oval-shaped crystal pendant, framed by dazzling, brilliant diamonds. And under it a single teardrop pearl.
“There are many Mildenhall heirlooms in the vault,” Leo said.
Her eyes were still fixed on that simple pearl. Its beauty had captivated her.
“But I thought this would be suited for you. I just never found a good time to give it to you. I think this is a good time.”
He took the necklace off the velvet. He leaned closer, his face near hers, his stormy blue eyes holding hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. She felt his fingers at the nape of her neck, deft and sure as he fastened the clasp. The metal was cool for an instant before warming against her skin. He let the necklace fall gently against her chest.
Prim touched the pearl that seemed to glow with some inner light, silky smooth, perfect. Her eyes went to his.
“Thank you,” she said. “This is the most beautiful thing I have ever worn.”
A flash of wild satisfaction went over his face. She remembered. Nathaniel’s necklace. How he demanded she take it off. He caught her chin and gave her a deep, claiming kiss.
He rose to his height, and she followed his eyes. He looked one last time down at the necklace around her neck and straightened his jacket.
“I will be back for dinner,” he said. “Perhaps not the dining hall?”
“I hate that place,” she chuckled.
“Me too.”
He leaned for a goodbye peck and left. The silence he left behind was not the void that it was before. It was filled with his promise and a peaceful quiet. Prim was there, her hand on the pearl, her head in the clouds, and her feet firmly on the ground still.
She had instructed the staff to set a small dinner table in the little drawing room. They were more than happy. The stiff atmosphere of the big dining hall, the sheer amount of work to keep it pristine, the wood to warm it.
“This is so much better, Your Grace,” Mrs. Byrne said. “Will His Grace agree?”
“Where did he have dinner before?”
“Not in the estate,” Mrs. Byrne said with haste. “I mean His Grace…”
Prim realized what the older woman was talking about. Leo always had somewhere else to spend his nights. But for the past month, he was home every night. Never left, not once.
“Well, now we are having dinner here,” Prim said.
As if summoned, Leo walked in briskly. He went straight to her and left a peck on her cheek. Mrs. Byrne smiled and left.
“Leo, the staff!”
“What? Do you wish for me to kiss the staff, too? Mrs. Byrne!”
“Leo!” She chastised and closed his mouth.
He gave her another peck on her lips. Then he took off his jacket and loosened his cravat. Prim watched him transform from a Duke to her husband. It was mesmerizing.
“This is so much better,” he said, pulling a chair for her at the small table. “More like a dinner and less like a martial courtroom.”
“I agree.”
They ate for a while and talked about their day. It was domesticated and serene and familiar. Then the dinner was done, the table was cleared, and she had tea and coffee served at the sitting room. Leo took his seat on the armchair. She was ready to take her seat, but Leo grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down on his lap.
“The martial courtroom had its appeals,” Prim said, reprimanding him.
“No, it didn’t,” he whispered in her ear.
