Thalia frowned, looking to Henry for his answer.
“He is… different,” Henry said, as he had done once before. “He is entirely himself. In truth, I think you would like him very much if you were to meet him, but he has decided to loathe England, so I do not know if you will ever meet him.”
Owen’s eyes narrowed at that. “As if he would be able to live such a free and luxurious life in Morocco if it were not for his brother’s accounts here in England. Honestly, I do not know why you still fund the libertine. If he were my brother, he would have been cut off from all allowance until he proved he could be responsible.”
“I have more money than I know what to do with,” Henry said softly. “Why would I not allow him to live his life as he sees fit? England, in truth, was not entirely kind to him.”
Thalia frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Rumors, gossip, accusations. Wherever he went, he was talked about,” Henry replied. “So, he left, and I cannot blame him.”
“No, you just permit him to live like a prince at your expense,” Owen muttered. “Someone who only writes when he needs more money; I cannot abide such people.”
Clearing her throat, Thalia raised an eyebrow at Owen. “Then, you must not think much of me, not over these past four years. Why, you must not think much of wives at all.” She smiled slyly. “I have to wonder if, perhaps, that is why you do not have one.”
The stern, intimidating man blinked in surprise… and Luke promptly erupted into laughter, his hand to his chest.
“Oh, she got you there!” he taunted playfully. “Bravo to the Duchess! As sharp in wit as she is exquisite in beauty!”
Out of the corner of her eye, Thalia saw Henry shoot a fierce glare at Luke, who did not notice; he was too busy chuckling.
Braced for some manner of rebuke for being rude, Thalia returned her attention to Owen. He stared at her for a moment, and it took every bit of nerve she possessed not to look away.Then, to her secret delight, he gave a small nod of his head, as if to say,Well done. A palpable hit.
“I happen to think rather highly of you,” he said. “Although, it is true, I cannot say the same about all women I have encountered in society.”
Luke sighed, leaning dramatically to one side. “If only there were a Thalia for us all, eh?”
Suddenly, Henry clapped his hands together. “Gentlemen, I am afraid that is all we have time for this evening. I did not realize the hour was so late, and my wife, as you know, has only recently recovered from a terrible injury.” He gestured to the door. “I will see you both soon, for our… meeting.”
A darkly amused smirk tugged up one corner of Owen’s lips. “Do consider my suggestion, Henry,” he said as he got up. “It might be of great help.”
“We shall manage perfectly well,” Henry replied, his voice tense.
More reluctantly, Luke got to his feet and held out his hand to Thalia. Not wanting to be impolite, she put her hand in his… and stifled a chuckle as she caught sight of her husband’s face while Luke kissed her hand.
“It was a pleasure, Duchess,” Luke said with a wink. “I am glad you have recovered your memories, as I am glad to see you and your husband in the same room for once. Long may it continue.”
A blush bloomed in Thalia’s cheeks, as she thought of the other night: how she and Henry had parted ways, how she had promised herself that she would not raise her hopes, in case it destroyed her when he left again.
“Thank you,” was all she replied.
Owen, on the other hand, did not attempt to kiss her hand. He simply gave another nod of his head, said a quick farewell, and headed out of the study with Luke in tow.
Yet, Thalia did not move from her chair, uncertain of whether Henry actually wanted her to retire for the night or if he had just wanted to be alone with her. He was just standing there by the brandy decanter, saying nothing, doing nothing.
“We spoke of your brother,” she said clumsily, compelled to fill the uneasy silence. “But I have been wondering: did you know aboutmybrother’s debts as well as my father’s debts when you proposed marriage?”
Henry nodded. “Your family’s debts werethereason why I chose to propose to you. But I did not manage your brother’s debts. I offered, but he asked to be given time to remedy them himself.” He paused. “Some time later, he began askingyoufor money. I did not interfere.”
It took a few moments for his words to sink in; they were so unusual, so unbelievable.
“Why would anyone choose such a burden?” she blurted out, her thoughts given voice. “Why would you choose to marry into a family of debtors?”
Henry sipped his brandy, his gaze soft. “To help.” He paused. “Why didyouwant to marry for love in a society where that is such a rarity?”
“You will think it is silly,” she replied, shaking her head.
“I do not think anything you do or say is silly. And, being the gentleman I am, even if Iwereto find it silly, I would not say so,” he said, a hint of mischief in his beautiful blue eyes.
