But that’s not what Beth and Gwen want. That’s certainly not what Bobby wants. And he knows it’s not what Demeroven wants either. But to take the opposite step—to enter into a true relationship, like Beth and Gwen have—to trust their families to protect them, to support them—
He doesn’t know if this is enough to convince Demeroven that it’s possible.
No matter how much Bobby understands his own feelings now, no matter how much he actually wants the man beside him, Bobby doesn’t know if he can stand to be turned down a third time.
He didn’t know until this month how much he truly wants to be loved the way Gwen loves Beth. The way his uncle loves his aunt. The way Albie loves Meredith.
But does Demeroven want the same thing, from him?
By the time night falls and they reach the manor, he’s about to crawl out of his skin with nerves and anticipation. He glances at Demeroven as they pull up along the long gravel drive and finds him alert, face pensive.
As soon as they come to a stop, the doors to the manor fly open, revealing Meredith in a house dress, illuminated by the lights in the two-story foyer. She stands with her hands on her hips, red hair in untamed curls that land on her shoulders.
Albie throws open the carriage door and they can hear Meredith’s loud “What took you so long?” Albie nearly falls out of the carriage in his haste to get to her.
Beth, Gwen, and Demeroven slowly follow him out. Albie sprints up the grand outer staircase to wrap his arms around his wife. Bobby stoops and leans out of the carriage, watching Albie gently pick Meredith up and spin her around. Her giggles echo across the lawn.
In the dark, Bobby can’t see much of the manor, just the light spilling down the long front steps. But he can smell the honeysuckle and hear the familiar rustle of the leaves in the trees above them. It’s peaceful, and he tries to let that peace seep into his anxious skin. During his childhood, when his father was gone on business, this was a happy place. And now his father is... permanently gone.
Therefore, this should forever be a happy place now, right? Meredith is all right. They should all be happy.
“They’re going to be sickening, aren’t they?” Gwen asks.
“Absolutely,” Beth says, Bobby echoing her automatically. Beth sounds far more charmed than Bobby is, but he’ll take it for the relief of seeing Meredith standing.
“It’s sweet,” Demeroven says.
Gwen laughs and takes Beth’s hand, pulling her up the path.
Bobby stays hanging out the door of the carriage. He’s incredibly happy to see Meredith up and about, and to see his brother so genuinely excited. They’re snogging now, completely enraptured. They’re home, and everything is fine.
Fingers clasp his and Bobby startles. Demeroven looks up at him, his soft, broad hand clutching Bobby’s, and gestures for him to climb down.
Bobby does, a tightness in his middle that has nothing to do with the hunger gripping at his stomach. They stand for a moment, staring at each other, something crackling between them. Beth’s laughter splits the air and Demeroven releases his hand. He gives Bobby a slightly bashful smile before turning to follow the group, but Bobby can feel the press of his skin like a phantom tingle the whole walk up to the house.
Despite their party numbering only seven, the foyer rings with sound and chaos. Beth, Gwen, and Demeroven standadmiring the house while Meredith’s mother, Lady Harrington, hugs the life out of Albie, maternal and warm despite her tall, willowy frame and severe gray dress.
“What, no hug for your sister-in-law?”
Bobby spins and finds Meredith beaming up at him. Her face is rounder, but she’s still frighteningly thin for being five months with child. He immediately wraps her up tight, pleased to find she smells like lilacs, her signature scent. She’d written that she couldn’t stand the smell just last month, so he takes this as a grand improvement.
“All right, let me look at you,” she says, pulling back to give him a once-over.
“Shouldn’t I be saying that to you?” he asks, laughing as she whacks his arm.
“I see London hasn’t made you more proper.”
“Perish the very thought,” he says, feeling tension lift off his shoulders when she laughs.
“It is good to see you,” she says.
“Meredith, you have no idea,” he returns honestly. “How are you, really?”
“I’m well, really,” she says.
Albie steps up behind her and wraps his arm around her shoulders even as she hangs on to Bobby’s hands. “Dr. Morris agrees,” he tells Bobby.
“Good,” Bobby says, squeezing her hands. “That is wonderful news. And I’m so glad we’re here for the week.”
