He smiled as their carriage arrived.
She smiled and waved at him.
“Tulip,” he said in a whisper as he helped her down, “how are you holding up?”
She laughed softly and let out a breath.“I am shaking all over.”
“You look beautiful.”
“So do you…I mean, you look incredibly handsome.”
He grinned and helped her smooth out her gown as she fussed with it when a sudden gust of wind threatened to blow everything out of order.
The gown was a beautiful cream silk and lace creation that she had meant to wear to one of the grand balls at the start of the Season but it had not been ready in time.Wearing it now for her wedding was a much better use for this stunning gown.“It is hitting me now that we are about to be bound to each other for the rest of our lives.”
“Yes, I know.I’m looking forward to it.”He held out his hand to show there was not a single tremor.“See, no qualms about marrying you.Once you are my duchess, you will never lack for anything.I will always take care of you.”
“And I’ll do the same for you,” she replied in earnest.
He cast her an affectionate smile.“I don’t think it’s supposed to work that way.I’m the one who will be pledging to protect you and keep you safe from harm.”
“Should I not do the same for you?”
“Not if it places you in danger.”
“But aren’t we supposed to support each other through the good and the bad?”
“Yes, lend support.But you are not to die for me.You are not signing on to military duty,” he remarked, his voice holding a trace of irritation that was not really aimed at her, although he obviously did not want her risking her life for him.
He released a lengthy breath.“You Farthingales are an odd breed.Certainly different from thetonelite.”
“Because we wish to honor our vows?”
After a moment, he leaned forward and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.“If you wish to look after me and fuss over me, then who am I to complain?I’m sorry if I came across as tense and inconsiderate just now.I’ve never had the tender ministrations of a woman before.”
“And it unsettles you?”Since he was a very private person, she did not think he would care for too much fussing.
“I’m just not used to it.”
“I won’t be too overbearing.”She was not the sort to spend her waking hours doing nothing but thinking of him or waiting upon him since she had her own dreams and desires to fulfill.
She wanted his support and approval.
But she was hardly going to ignore his needs.
However, he was the sort of man who preferred mostly being left to his own thoughts.“I’m sure your mother took good care of you.”
“In truth, she did not.”He shook his head.“She meant to, but she could not.Her health failed soon after removing me from the Davenport influence.She did not survive very long afterward.I’ve made my own way ever since.”
“I’m so sorry, Alex,” she said, her heart tightening because she understood how difficult it must have been for him, merely a boy at the time, to see her succumbing to ill health.Then to be left alone in the world, the only one who loved him and fought to protect him, gone.
Losing her own parents had been painful for her, but she had immediately gained the Farthingale clan and the Hester clan as her protectors and had never once felt unloved.Quite the opposite, she was doted upon and cared for by both families.“Well, you will have me to look after you now,” she assured him.
He nodded.“That sounds nice, but you must promise never to put yourself in harm’s way for me.This is not how I ever want you to care for me.”
She frowned.“Do you really think there will be danger?From your cousins?”
“Harold Havers and his brothers?No.That threat has been addressed for now.They have been drinking themselves into a stupor these past two days, ever since I restored their allowances.”He placed his hand over hers as it rested on his forearm.“Do not mind me.I seem to find reasons to needlessly fret.The hour is growing late.Care to marry me?”
