He shrugged. “They were yelling, and you know I don’t like yelling.”
“Regardless, what you did was wrong.” My guilt escalated to the point where I didn’t know whether I could look at him anymore without breaking down. “You should have sent a note around, and your father and I would have come to visit you.”
“I considered it. Atticus said you’d probably make me stay there. I didn’t want to stay there.” He went back to looking at his worms.
I met Rex’s grim countenance. He was clenching and unclenching his fist, fury still dotting his cheeks. “Son, I need you to leave your worms behind and go inside to get cleaned up. We need to have a talk about your behavior.”
“You’re upset?” Harry asked. He couldn’t read other people’s faces and learn their cues, but his familiarity with his family helped with his challenges.
“Yes, Harry, we are very upset with you. What you did was irresponsible, and you could have really been hurt.” Rex said, clearly working hard to remain calm.
I would rather die than let Harry be lost to me forever. Clearly, he needed more time at home before we tried to send him to school again. I thought all my children were out of the house. Harry obviously needed my assistance. I would forgo music for my son as any good mother would. “Come, my darling, let’s get you cleaned up. Then you and Papa can talk about what you did and what punishment you will face.”
I took his hand, uncaring about the mud marring my white gloves. With a smile to Rex and Flynn, I led Harry inside. I would gladly ruin a dozen gloves to have my boy home safe with me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lord Rex, Duke of Smythington
Flynn and I returned to my study, my knees still shaky from the stress I had been under since learning of Harry’s disappearance. Scotland Yard had left, and I needed a stiff drink.
“He is home, and he’s safe.” A strong hand settled on my shoulders, and Flynn pulled me into his body. He wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed my cheek.
I was glad we were alone because I needed his strength. He was a constant in my life, and I loved him. My row with Eleanor over her father’s decision still plagued me, and I needed to clear the air with Flynn. I turned in the circle of his arms. Before I could speak, he caught the back of my head with his palm, his mouth devouring mine. My earlier anguish inflamed into need, and I pulled his hips closer to mine, wishing to feel anything other than the panic that had surged through me.
Flynn broke away and rested his forehead on mine. “He’s fine. You saw him with your own eyes. You needn’t be afraid anymore.”
“I know. I can’t help thinking I might have lost him.” I couldn’t bear the thought of losing another child. Eleanor’s two miscarriages tortured both of us until we were blessed with Harry.
“You didn’t lose him.” He pulled me back into his arms, his embrace welcome after the harrowing ordeal.
I inhaled his woodsy cologne, wishing to lose myself in his arms. It was madness because I was usually the strong one. I was supposed to be in control, but I didn’t feel in control. “I am glad you are here. I owe you an apology.” My accusations at the hotel were unfounded and based on jealousy. “I had no right to accuse you of trying to manipulate me into the affair. I was the one who challenged you to obtain Eleanor’s consent. ”
“You were a prat, and although I would like to say you were completely wrong, I’m not sure you were.”
A chill chased down my spine at his admission. In the days since the argument, I had convinced myself I had overreacted when it came to Flynn. While he hadn’t been at liberty to tell me the truth because of his promise to Eleanor, my wife deliberately kept the truth from me. I pulled out of his embrace and tried to wrap my mind around his confession. “So you are saying my assumption is true? You wanted to bed Eleanor, so you proposed the ménage?”
“On some level. I can’t say for certain I didn’t instigate our ménage for my own selfish reasons.” Flynn shook his head, running his fingers through his dark hair. Conflict furrowed his brow. “I can tell you that Eleanor is innocent in all of this. I was jealous. As a married couple, you are free to follow your passions for each other. I desire you both, hence my eagerness to accept the challenge.”
“I appreciate your honesty. It doesn’t make me feel any better, given what I learned about your proposal to her.” I wasn’t sure what to think. My nerves were shot, and I simply wanted to restore peace to my household.
He narrowed his eyes at me and settled his hands on his hips. “Do you know how hypocritical you sound right now? You were perfectly all right telling everyone you won her hand over me. Never once did you think to ask how I felt about the situation.”
“Younever told me you proposed, hence I had no idea you were serious about her. You were courting Mary at the time and told me you planned to marry her.” I shook my head, scratching at an itch under my chin. I often broke out in hives during stressful periods. That wouldn’t do. “How was I supposed to know if you didn’t see fit to tell me?”
