“How is he truly?” she asked.
“Better. Much better. The doctor was right—he’s gaining strength every day. His arm is improving. He managed to hold a spoon at supper last night.”
Relief crashed through her. She pressed a hand to her chest. “I was so afraid?—”
“I know.” His hand covered hers on the table. Warm. Steady. "But he's going to be alright. You got him through the worst of it, and soon, he'll be well enough to rest properly."
“We got him through it.”
His eyes held hers. “We did.”
The word hung there.We.
Margaret pulled back her hand and wrapped both around her teacup. “We need to talk about the scandal.”
Henry went still. “What scandal?” He raised a brow and inclined his head.
She nearly laughed out loud. “Don’t.” She met his eyes. “Don’t pretend you haven’t thought about it. You’ve spent two days and nights living in my home. Half of England knows by now.”
“I don’t care what England knows.”
“You should.” Her voice came out sharper than she meant. “Lady Thornby caught us kissing. Then you raced here and stayed. For days. People are talking, Henry. They’re saying—” She stopped. Swallowed. “They’re saying terrible things.”
“About you?”
“About both of us. But mostly me.” She set down her cup, hands shaking. “They’ll call me your mistress. Or worse. Say I trapped you. That I’m a scheming widow who set her cap at a duke.”
His jaw clenched. “That’s vicious, foolish, and altogether wrong.”
“Is it?” She laughed. Bitter. “I was caught alone with you. Twice. You’ve been living in my cottage. What else are people supposed to think?”
“That I care about you. That you needed help and I provided it.”
“That’s not how society works.” She stood. “You’re a duke. You could have sent servants. Sent money. Sent anyone but yourself. Instead you stayed. You made tea and carried firewood and—” Her voice cracked. “You ruined us both.”
“Margaret—”
“Oh, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not blaming you.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m just stating facts. My reputation is shredded. Again. And this time it’s my own fault because I knew better. I knew what would happen if we were caught, but I let it happen anyway because I wanted?—”
She stopped. Couldn’t say it.
“Because you wanted what?” His voice was quiet. Careful.
“You.” The word came out broken. “I wanted you. Which was foolish and selfish and?—”
He was across the kitchen before she could finish. His hands on her shoulders. Gentle but firm. “Look at me.”
She couldn’t. If she looked at him, she’d fall apart completely.
“Margaret. Please.”
She looked up.
His eyes blazed with something that tightened her chest. “You didn’t ruin anything. And neither did I. What happened this week was a choice. My choice. To be here with you.”
“But the scandal?—”
“Needs to be addressed. Quickly.” His jaw set. “Which is why I should get a special license.”
