“But,” he continued, “I must unfortunately meet with my solicitor.”
There was something about the way his expression fell and his tone became far more serious that made her lean closer. “About the divorce?”
He nodded, his lips pinching. “Yes. It seems that once Southwater decided to press forward with his influence and money to the situation, it has moved things along considerably. I’ve been called to sign a few items that will help obtain the final permissions.”
She took his hand and pressed it between hers. “I’m sorry.”
“The sooner it’s over, the sooner it will be…” He shrugged. “Over.”
“I know. And I’ll be happy for you that day because it won’t hang over you like this. But I’m still sorry.”
His expression softened a little and lifted her hand to his lips to kiss it briefly. “You really are too good. But what will you do today without me?”
“Pine ceaselessly?” She said it to tease and hoped it wouldn’t be true.
He grinned and her heart soared that she could bring him even a fraction of peace. “A terrible fate. You must have something to fill the time.”
“Well, now that you mention it, I wanted to go to see my seamstress. She has some new fabrics. Then I have a new bonnet to pick up at the milliner.”
“Thrilling,” he said.
“It will be thrilling for you when you see me in the pretty dresses and compliment me endlessly on how fetching I look in the hat.”
“True on both accounts.”
“And after that my sisters have asked that I join them for tea. I was going to refuse them if you had plans for us today, but if you’ll be out, I’ll send an answer in the affirmative. I want to see Julia’s new accommodations anyway.”
He tilted his head. “Oh, that’s right, she only moved out of Arabella’s house recently, didn’t she? Who is she paired with now? Lord Castleton, yes?”
“Yes, Viscount Laurence Castleton.” She shrugged. “Honestly I keep forgetting his name entirely, so I must do better if she’s going to be in any kind of lasting affiliation with him. He seems generous enough at this point.” She shifted and hoped she wouldn’t sound too needy when she asked, “You—you don’t know anything unsavory about him, do you?”
His playful expression softened and he lifted her hand to his lips again. “No. Nothing at all that would cause me pause about her safety. I know he’s been labeled as flighty, but there isn’t a hint of cruelty in his behavior, at least in my circles.”
“Well, if we dismissed gentlemen for flightiness, I think the courtesans would all be out of business,” she said. “Thank you, Vaughn, hearing that about him is a relief.”
“I’m glad I could provide it.”
She touched his face. “How long until your appointment?”
Now the gentleness left his expression and a little heat entered it. “Not enough to start anything entertaining with you, unfortunately. In fact, I probably must call for my horse to be readied and head on my way. Would you like my carriage for the day? Or I can have yours sent for.”
She blinked. “That would be very kind. You don’t mind?”
He leaned in and cupped her face, kissing her before he answered. He was gentle at first, but then his fingers tensed and he delved a little deeper, tasting of tea and jam from his breakfast. God, she could just lose herself in that. In him. In this.
She caught her breath and pulled back. “Is that a no?”
He smiled. “I don’t mind at all.”
They stood together and walked to the foyer where he called for his horse and told the staff that she would be using his carriage and returning to his home afterward.
“You can poke around in my library or my study and uncover all my secrets,” he teased after the butler had gone to make all the arrangements.
“Oh, that sounds very gothic,” she said.
“No, I’m terribly boring, I’m sorry to say. I could try harder.”
She leaned up to kiss him again. “I think I’ll keep gothic to the pages of books, thank you.”
