“Why were you outside at midnight?” She angled her head and inspected the spots. “You must go to your room and change out of those filthy clothes.”
“I must show Papa what I found.” Harry was very strong-willed, and when he had a task in mind, he never deviated from it.
“You will do as your mother says. Once the doctor has seen to you, I will speak with you about this.” Relief washed over me. Ant bites were bad but not as bad as chickenpox.
His expression fell. “Yes, Papa.”
Eleanor ushered him out. Anne stayed behind. She stared at me for a long moment, a smile blooming across her face. “I am happy to see you and Mama have made up.”
“I wasn’t aware we were fighting.” Apparently everyone but me had perceived her unhappiness, which added to my guilt. Too many late nights had kept me away from home. Once the select committee adjourned, I would have more time to spend with Eleanor. There was still the matter of getting the Russian Ambassador to agree to the commerce deal and anything I could do to push it forward, I had to try. He was an avid golfer and I had played with him and the PM a few times. While the Ambassador refused to talk business on the green, creating a rapport outside of negotiations wouldn’t hurt. The added pressure by the prime minister to seal the deal rested on my shoulders and I exhaled a troubled breath. “Although I have noticed she doesn’t seem her usual cheerful self.”
Anne hesitated for a long moment before she spoke. “I would suggest you take your own advice and speak with her.”
“You are right.” It was past time I stopped ignoring what was under my nose in the hopes that it would magically fix itself. Thus far, that hadn’t been the case and the more I tried to push it down the road, the wider the gap that stretched between us.
“You will be happy to know that Nigel took your advice to heart, and has vowed to listen to me and not insult his father-in-law.”
Anne was quoting the toast that I had given at our anniversary.
“He is an intelligent boy. No, I suppose he is a man now.” I ran my knuckle down her cheek, affection swelling my chest. She was embarking on a new journey and forging her own path in the world.
She wrapped her arms around my waist, and I held her close. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I blinked back the rush of emotion her declaration evoked. While I wished her all the happiness and good fortune in the world, I would miss seeing her smiling face every morning. Once married, she would be moving into Larsson House with Nigel and start running her own household.
She pulled back and wiped at her eyes. “We should check on Harry.”
Arm and arm, we left the room where I’d spent one of the most notable nights in recent memory. Once Harry was seen to, I would seek out Eleanor and continue to build on repairing our marriage. Tonight had been the first step but the journey was far from over.
Chapter Fourteen
Lady Eleanor, Duchess of Smythington
I rubbed my tired eyes in the quiet breakfast room. Harry had indeed gotten into an ant hill, but the bites were not lethal. I didn’t know what to do with that child sometimes. I was concerned about him attending Knutchester. It pained me to admit it, but my son would never fit into the mold of normality.
Rex entered and wrapped his arms around my neck, pulling me backward into his body. He kissed my cheek, the smell of his clean soap pleasing. Our night together with Flynn had been unforgettable. Instead of having an intimate night with Rex after our tryst in the study, I had spent the last two days in the sick room with Harry.
“Good morning, my love.”
I turned my head, and our lips met. The heat of his kiss enveloped me in a blanket of warmth. I twisted in my seat and tilted my head, angling it so our lips connected more fully. He cupped my cheek and pulled me out of the chair, the heat of his body infiltrating my morning dress.
“Would you like to slip away for a bit?” Desire radiated from my core, my nipples responding to his nearness. I began to slide my arms around his neck, needing the closeness we had developed. I could still feel the flush of embarrassment at theliberties I took with his person and those he’d taken with mine. I didn’t regret it, indeed I craved more.
He pressed soft kisses to my mouth and murmured through each one, “I have a full day’s schedule. But I am sure I can postpone my morning row for you. Flynn will understand.”
