Did she trust him so implicitly? Of course she did; why shouldn’t she? But then why did Rhys feel suddenly unsure of his little test?
He lowered himself down on his haunches and took her hand that was lying in her lap.
“There is money for Kitty’s dowry, but I don’t trust Lord Dawson.”
After a moment of silence, she spoke.
“You don’t?”
“No, I don’t. And I thought, well… Perhaps I should have asked you first, but I intended to—”
In the next moment, Louisa’s arms were wrapped tightly around his neck as he fell backwards. Their bodies landed with a thud on the rug-covered floor, but Louisa was showering Rhys in kisses, confusing him. Placing his hands on her arms and holding her still, he stared up into her smiling face.
“You wonderful.” Kiss. “Brilliant.” Kiss. “Honorable.” Kiss. “Clever man.” Kiss, kiss, kiss.
“You’re… You’re not angry with me?”
“Angry? How could I be angry?” She kissed him again on the mouth and he couldn’t help but kiss her back. A rush of relief and excitement coursed through his veins as he focused on her body molded against his. He wouldn’t be able to focus much longer on what they were discussing, but then she lifted her head and looked down at him in an almost loving sort of way.
“I don’t trust Lord Dawson either, but I couldn’t say anything.”
“Why not?”
“Because what sort of hypocrite would I be if I told Kitty she can’t marry someone, particularly when they’ve known each other longer than a single day?” Louisa shook her head as she exhaled. “I just… I feel so incredibly grateful that I should have a husband who wants what’s best for my sister. Thank you, Rhys.”
For some reason, the air around them became heavy and Louisa couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye. He wanted to tell her there was no need to thank him. That his only desire was to please her and that he would always try and protect her.
“I’m glad you’re not upset with my plan. Although, really, it was Mr. Trench who thought of it.”
“Mr. Trench?” Louisa said slowly. “I thought I saw a lingering look between him and Kitty over dinner tonight.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me. He seemed quite untrusting of Dawson.”
“Really? What did he say?”
“Merely that Dawson seemed too eager to marry Kitty in such a rush. It was his idea to stall the payment for her pin money.”
Louisa sat up then.
“Hm… I don’t see why Mr. Trench should be so worried about Kitty.”
Rhys lifted his body up on his elbows.
“Don’t you?” She shook her head. “Well, whatever his reasons, I’m only glad I didn’t upset you tonight.”
Louisa refocused her gray eyes on her husband and smiled so warmly that he felt his stomach flip.
“It seems silly to me, I suppose, but I don’t think I could have ever dreamed up someone like you, Rhys. I’m so proud to be your wife and no one else’s.”
Though she couldn’t realize the sort of impact her words had on him, Rhys’s feelings must have been on full display across his face, because in the next instant, Louisa’s brows pinched together.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s just…” He couldn’t mention to her the thread of discomfort that had been snaking around his heart since their carriage ride north. It had been weeks since Louisa had mentioned John, having only brought him up once, but the idea of Rhys’s wife having loved another, even though it was before they had met, caused him a good deal of discomfort.
