“And my husband wishes to claim the ten thousand from my brother that he earned last night?”
She stared at Charles unwaveringly, then dipped into a curtsey.
“I’ll excuse myself so that you can go about your business unencumbered.”
She approached the door, but Charles stepped in her path.
Don’t go. I can delay my journey. I’ve no wish to leave you if you need me.
He glared at John, who repeated the message. Olivia continued to stare at him, her lips trembling as John spoke the words. Then, after drawing in a deep breath, she shook her head.
“Don’t let me prevent you from undertaking your business, my lord,” she said. “My need for you to remain is nothing compared to your need to go.”
She bestowed a smile on John—the fortunate blackguard—then exited the breakfast room.
“You ought to go after her, sir, while I finish packing your trunk.”
Charles shook his head.It would only make matters worse. Instruct Mrs. Brougham to take care of her.
“And Jacob?”
If you must.
“Mr. Carlton says he’s a capable young man and, after all, Jacob is your heir.” John gave a grin. “Though given the events of last night, I ought to refer to him as your heirpresumptive.”
Fuck off.
John chuckled at Charles’s crude gesture, then exited the breakfast room.
Less than an hour later, Charles stepped out of the main doors. The servants stood to attention, forming a line that led toward the waiting carriage bearing the Devereaux crest on the side. At the end of the line of servants stood—
His heart gave a little flutter.
At the end of the line stood his wife.
She was the better person. Had anyone distressed him, he’d have not wished to show them respect. As a child, he recalled hiding in theattic rather than wishing his mother a safe journey after she’d admonished him over some transgression. Had he known at the time that within a month she’d be cold in her grave…
If only he could have relived all the moments he’d shown childish unkindness toward his mother, and behaved differently.
So many regrets—and they cut as deep as his regret over how he’d behaved toward his wife, the sweet young woman he’d vowed to honor and protect.
The servants bowed and curtseyed as he passed them, and he paused to nod and smile at each one, including the young maid who tended to his wife. When he reached his half-brother, he stopped and gestured to John.
Tell him to take care of everything, including her.
Jacob’s eyes widened. “Who are you—and what have you done with Charles Devereaux?”
So, his brother understood him. Charles frowned, and Jacob stepped back, raising his hands as if in surrender. Then Charles approached Olivia.
“I hope you have a safe journey, my lord—”
She broke off as he took her hand and shook his head.
“Charles,” she said, her voice almost inaudible. He smiled encouragement, and her lips curved in response. “I shall do my best not to disappoint…”
He placed a finger on her lips, and his blood warmed as her soft breath caressed his skin.
You could never disappoint me.
