His throat bob was his only reaction. He seemed to have forgotten how to blink. It was… sweet. I’d never entertained a sweet man before, deeming them too easily manipulated to be of any interest. But I was finding that I liked it quite a lot.
“What would you have me do?” He finally managed to offer up the question, slightly wary.
“Whatever you wish. There are no rules. A benefit of widowhood.”
He removed the spectacles distractedly, decidedly avoiding my gaze.
“I’m not—surely you know—you must have gleaned by now—I’m not very skilled… with women.” My heart clenched, warmed by his admission. There was guilt too, at the pleasure I took in something that took so much fortitude to admit.
“I don’t need you to be skilled with women.” His eyes shot to mine with confusion written across his brow. “I want you to be skilled with one woman—me. And I am more than happy to teach you.”
“Celine…” His admonishment was halfway between a growl and a purr, and it had me clenching my thighs.
Determined to retain the upper hand, I retorted, “Not now, of course. Now we need to dress for supper. With my mother.”
He blinked slowly, his thoughts returning from soft sheets and even softer caresses. “You’re a minx. You know that?” The question was half under his breath and entirely distracted as I rose and offered him a hand up.
He shook his head. “Need a minute. I suspect I’ll take less time to dress than you as well. I’ll have another look at the ledgers and be up in a moment.”
“All right, but do not think I will allow you to miss this supper.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, love.” I pressed a quick kiss to his temple and gave his shoulders a commiserating rub on my way out the door.
Twenty-Five
MONET MANOR, LONDON - JUNE 15, 1816
WILLIAM
I couldn’t rememberthe last time I was so nervous meeting a member of the gentry. Perhaps Adriane’s parents. And given how well that went… Mayhap my apprehension was warranted.
Celine was seated across from me in her well-sprung carriage draped with rich blues and silvers. Even the fetching sight of her in violet silks was not enough to distract from my dread. Particularly when combined with the blatant pity in her eyes. Her repeated assurances had done nothing to assuage my fears.
Frankly, this carriage was traveling much too fast. It was certainly not safe to be speeding along at such a great gallop through the city. When I said as much, she merely offered me an indulgent smile.
“Will, I promise she knows the entirety of your situation. She is unconcerned.”
That opened a new set of fears. “The entirety?”
“Well, not that you’re presently living with me. And I had hoped to hide the full extent of the kissing—for propriety’s sake only. But that is likely wishful thinking. Mama knows all.”
“That does not cheer me up. In case you were wondering.”
“I was not trying to make you feel better. I was trying to be honest with you. Mama and Marie don’t often receive visitors, particularly male ones. I imagine the novelty will last until at least the second course.”
“And they know each other how?”
“Marie is a family friend. We stayed with her for a number of years before Mama received her inheritance.”
“Surely it is not usual. Having a house guest for so long.”
“I suspect Mama hoped I would begin to move on from Gabriel if I had more autonomy. And I rather think they missed living together.” She hesitated a moment, sizing me up. “Mama is Marie—Madame Bosarge’s—houseguest in the same way you are mine.” She waited, brow raised in anticipation.
It was overwhelming how much I wanted to kiss her for that revelation. She had shared so much of herself with me. That she trusted me with an additional secret, something that had nothing to do with Gabriel’s murder and our present danger… That she knew, without question, that I would keep her family safe—that was more than enough to ease my nerves.
Fortunately and simultaneously unfortunately, we arrived outside the house before I could make good on my desire to demonstrate my appreciation. It gave no time for the trepidation to return.
Handing her out of the carriage was a privilege I hoped to soon repeat. That she slipped her hand into the crook of my arm was an equal delight. We were met at the door by an impossibly thin butler and a ruddy-cheeked maid who took our things. We followed the butler down the hall though Celine more than knew the way.
