Chapter Thirty
Lady Lillian, Duchess of Alton
“Lillian, the ship is docking.” Kendrick adjusted the cufflinks on his white cuffs. One hip cocked, he leaned against the door, his hair falling over his collar. He looked refreshed and relaxed after the glorious days we’d spent on board after our wedding.
“Oh, dear.” I pulled the last sheet of paper from the typewriter. Unlike my husband and Colt, I had little sleep between bouts of bed sport. I’d worked through the night again, polishing the words that flowed with ease. The chapter I had written on my wedding day had evolved into a second chapter after last night’s play. The new pages rounded the story I had composed even more. “Can you ring for Henry? I need him to see this package gets delivered into Mr. Moran’s hands.”
Henry had been acting as my personal secretary on our trip since his sister was still in London and he was as proficient as Colt promised.
“You’ll have to share Henry with me, although I daresay it will take an entire team to fill Colt’s shoes.” Kendrick strode across the room and rang the bell, his expression faltering.
I finished wrapping the manuscript in heavy vellum paper as I watched him with concerned eyes. To lose his friend was difficult for him. And for me. “Henry has done well. He tradedin his pantomime costume for suits and has quite the flair for fashion.”
“And a love of shoes.” He slipped his arm around my waist, pressing a kiss under my ear. Strong fingers glided along my front, palming my breast through the shirtwaist. He was a very affectionate man, and I loved how he held me like I was precious. “I think you should use his fashion sense for a new wardrobe. While I adore your mother, she doesn’t dress you in the manner that befits what hides beneath this rather matronly shirtwaist.”
“I agree, wholeheartedly. Ruffles will never be my first choice.” I leaned my head back and inhaled into his caress, my breath catching as he rubbed his thumb over my puckered nipple. Every tiny press of his mouth to my skin was an awakening. Since our wedding night, he’d brought me over the brink on multiple occasions, each time a new discovery into the heights my body could reach. “Where is Colt?”
“He is on deck with the rest of our party.” He heaved a reluctant sigh and released me. The grimness was back in his voice, an underlying sadness I couldn’t erase, no matter what I said. I was sympathetic to his plight because my heart broke every time I thought about Colt leaving.
“Can you put your finger on the knot so I can finish tying it?” I asked, picking up the strings on the package I had been securing. I had to look to the future, not the past. What the package contained was worth more to me than gold. It held precious memories. I prayed Mr. Moran liked it and would publish the entire manuscript.
“Are you concerned that Mr. Moran will not like it?” he asked, reading my thought as he placed one blunt-tipped finger on the knot. In many ways, he and I were in tune, which would make for a prosperous marriage. At least I prayed it would continue in that direction.
“Of course. He liked the first half, but there is no guarantee. The story has taken a sharp turn from the original. For the better, I believe.” I finished securing it with a tiny bow. After Moran’s initial criticism, I had to take a long, hard look at why I was passed up by twenty-nine publishers. It was fortunate that I met Colt. His valuable input changed the tide for me. I would miss his friendship, as well as his kisses.
“You are very talented, my lady. You need never fear on that score. I predict your book will be a standout among its genre.” He placed his hand on the small of my back and took the manuscript from my hand.
“You rang, Your Graces?” Henry entered the room and addressed me, his red hair slicked down with pomade. The tweed suit and starched collar were impeccable.
“I have a very important assignment for you. You will return to London with the ship. I need this package delivered to this address,” I said. I tapped on the directions to Mr. Moran that I penned on the velum. He held out his hand to take it, and I hesitated, the panic I had been fighting since I finished the last draft settling in. Not that I didn’t trust Henry. I simply was afraid to let the work out of my sight.
Kendrick took it from my hand and placed it in Henry’s. He cast me an understanding look, drawing me closer to his side. “Make sure you deliver it as soon as you dock.”
“And send a telegram once you’ve delivered it,” I said, my voice going unusually high as I tried to quell my hysteria.
Henry glanced from me to Kendrick and offered a curt nod. “You can trust me, Your Graces. I’ll not let you down.”
“I know. That's why you hold such a trusted position.” Kendrick laid a hand on his shoulder, and he gazed adoringly up at my husband. The household held him in the highest regard, and I echoed their sentiments. “As a reward, my wife needs a new wardrobe. I trust you can guide a seamstress intoacquiring her some gowns more suitable for a married woman and duchess.”
Determination showed in his eyes, and he rocked back on his polished heels. “I’ll begin the second after I deliver this package.”
“No ruffles,” I said.
The ship’s captain blew the whistle, heralding our need to leave the cabin. I glanced around, trying to imprint the unforgettable nights spent here into my memory. They were already immortalized on paper. “Thank you, Henry. That will be all.”
“No ruffles, Your Grace.” Clutching the manuscript to his chest, he bowed out of the room.
After retrieving my wide-brimmed hat from the hat tree, I rested a hand on my husband’s stomach. I stood on my toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You have earned his loyalty for life. Thank you for being such a kind man.”
