CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
Iris woke in a strange bed in Theo’s house. He’d insisted on bringing them here and didn’t care about the impropriety of the act. They’d collected Henry from Dimity, and Theo had sent Norman back to the Challoner town house, stating that Iris would return tomorrow.
She’d slept in his arms on the way to London and remembered very little of the trip, only that she and Henry were now safe.
Iris looked to the door as it opened and watched Theo enter. In his arms was a tray. He wore only his shirt and trousers, and his feet were bare.
“Where are your shoes?” was the only thing she could find to say.
“I don’t wear them here unless it’s really cold.” He gave her a boyish smile that reminded her of the younger Theo she’d once known. “How do you feel?”
“Sore but well. I am rested now, thank you, and there are no lingering effects from whatever they gave me. Where is Henry?”
“Having a wonderful time with my staff. They are spoiling him and Oscar in the kitchens, and my cook is letting him help her bake biscuits.”
“I need to go to him.” Iris looked down at her borrowed nightdress from Dimity. All she remembered was hugging Henry, and then she’d washed and fallen into the large, soft bed when they’d arrived at Monty’s town house.
“Soon. Right now, you need to eat.”
“Thank you for finding me, Theo.”
“You’re welcome.” He moved to the side of the bed and lowered the tray over her legs.
“This looks wonderful.”
He drew a chair closer and sat.
“I have so many questions,” Iris said as she picked up a crumpet slathered in jam.
“I know, and I will try to answer them.” His eyes were steady on her face.
“I was so scared.” She looked at the crumpet. “I thought I would not see Henry, you, or anyone I care for again.”
“I will always find you, Iris.” The words came out as a vow.
“You can’t say that. We…” Her words fell away as he took the crumpet and lowered it to the tray. He then removed it and placed it on the floor. Then he was there, hands braced on either side of her, face now inches from hers.
“I can say that. I will always find you because you are going to be my wife. I will allow no one to hurt you again.”
“I—ah, wife?”
He nodded.
“I had planned never to marry again, Theo.”
“But seeing as you love me, you will do so.”
“Do I? Love you, I mean,” Iris whispered.
She saw the flash of uncertainty then. Like her, he had lived without love for so long.
“I do love you, Theo.” She touched his cheek.
His eyes closed. “I have never been loved by a woman in such a way before. I’d believed I never would.”
“As I never believed a man would love me.”
“Iris, my childhood friend, the woman I want to live out my days with, please marry me. Bring me into the light and make me warm with your touch.”
