He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I’m so proud of you. Let it go for now. It seems it’s going to come on its own, when you aren’t expecting it.”
She nodded in agreement. “You saved me.” And then she frowned. “There were more of them, but you flicked them away like they were nothing.” She shivered at even the memory of the memory.
“I told you I box.” He flexed his hand holding the reins.
“I know. But…” He’d all but obliterated those men. She glanced at him in time to see a grin tip the corners of his mouth.
He shrugged. “It comes in handy.”
“I suppose I didn’t picture you actually… using it to hurt people.”
“I had no choice. Fight back or take a beating.”
“When?”
“Mostly at school.”
She peppered him with questions until he admitted that he had had to defend himself from bullies.
“A handful of us eventually smartened up and realized we were safer if we didn’t get caught alone. But that wasn’t always possible for me. And since I was one of the only boys without a title, they seemed particularly happy to pound on me.”
“How did you end up in a school of spoiled aristocrats?” His father must have been a very influential solicitor indeed.
“An aunt paid for us to attend. Me and all my brothers.”
Tabetha sat quietly, pondering this new information about him. “Is that where you met my brother?”
Silence…
“Yes.”
“He is a lord?”
“An earl.” Although driving and keeping his arm around her shoulders, he stiffened beside her.
“So…” Tabetha mused. “I am a lady?”
He nodded.
That explained why she was familiar with the ins and outs of theton. It also explained why a duke might be interested in marrying her.
“You made your come out not quite a month ago.” It was the first information he’d offered up voluntarily.
She thought back to the first moment when she’d opened her eyes after hitting her head. She had been happy to learn he was her husband. And he… had acted cautiously toward her. He’d been protective, caring, and affectionate…
At her request.
“Do you regret marrying me?” she asked.
“Of course not,” he answered quickly. “Why would you ask that?”
“I don’t care that I’m a lady. I don’t care that you don’t hold a title. I just wondered if perhaps it botheredyou.”
“It doesn’t,” he denied with a shake of his head. “But I wish I could give you everything you want.” Disappointment filled his voice.
But all she wanted was him! Had she demanded more before her injury? Her mouth went dry at the possibility that she’d been so stupid.
“Tell me more about your childhood.” She leaned her head against him, not wanting to contemplate deficiencies in herself that she wasn’t currently aware of. She’d have to face those soon enough. “Did you get high marks?”
