Fleur froze, wondering if he had known she’d been listening at the door when he had been discussing her brother with Drake. Gathering her conviction, she said firmly, “I won’t. Anything I decide will be for the good of everyone.”
Amos didn’t seem to know what to think of that reply but he gave a curt nod and released her.
As Fleur continued the rest of her walk, she was glad that she had been able to clear the air with Amos. At least he would know where she stood if things turned sour.
CHAPTER18
Drake caught himself drumming his fingers on his desk as he impatiently waited for Fleur and Amos to return. He couldn’t seem to stop thinking of the odd way she had been acting that morning. He considered that it had something to do with his lack of sheaths during their lovemaking and he had already rectified that oversight. He couldn’t imagine that he had been so caught up in the moment with her that he’d completely forgotten one important factor.
However, that wasn’t the worst thing on his mind. Instead, he kept imaging her belly becoming swollen with their child. He had always been abhorrent of begetting any offspring before, but it didn’t seem quite so distasteful anymore. Of course, they would have to live somewhere other than London. He wasn’t about to stay here where he felt as though he had to look over his shoulder for ensuing trouble. He wouldn’t dare add that sort of misery to everything else that Fleur had endured thus far. She had taken so much upon herself by worrying over her brother that it was time someone looked out for her.
To distract himself, he’d made a quick trip to see Miss Wilson to check on Flavian, but he wasn’t surprised when he was turned away, with the claim that neither of them were home. For the first time, he actually believed the butler.
Now, as he heard the front door open, Drake jumped out of his chair and strode out of his study. Fleur was just removing her bonnet and pelisse in the foyer. She handed them to Amos and offered him a friendly smile as he walked away.
She was patting her hair when she spied Drake and hesitated. The wary look in her expression concerned him. He wondered if it had something to do with Amos. He knew the man couldn’t always be the most accommodating. “Did you have a nice walk?” he asked.
“Quite,” she returned evenly.
How the hell was he supposed to interpret that?
As someone who had never bothered to dance around a subject that was bothering him, he said, “I ordered some sheaths this morning, so you can set your mind at ease.”
She appeared to force a smile. “Wonderful.”
Rather than stay and continue their conversation, she started to move toward the stairs. This would not do at all. He recognized evasion when he saw it.
He blocked her escape. “I would know what’s troubling you.” He didn’t phrase it as a question and he made sure his focus told her that he wasn’t going anywhere until they’d had a proper discussion.
“Nothing.”
Devil take itbut he despised those one-word replies. “Very well.” He grasped her elbow and steered her in the direction of his study.
“Drake! What?—?”
Her disapproval was evident but he ignored it as he propelled her into his private sanctuary and shut them inside. Leaning against the door, he crossed his arms and said, “Speak.”
She gasped in indignation. “You are being ridiculous!”
“No. I’m being sensible. You aren’t telling me the truth. I will release you once you?—”
“I’m not with child!” Her brusque announcement rang through the room with the force of a thundercloud. She released a heavy breath. “Now let me go.”
She started toward him but he didn’t budge. “Are you sure?”
She offered a bark of humorless laughter. “Of course. It’s not something that can go unnoticed.”
Drake scrubbed a hand down his face. He hadn’t realized how much he was starting to grow accustomed to the idea of expanding his bloodline until then. Although he would have been shocked to learn she was going to have a baby, it made him feel… strange to know she wasn’t. “I’m sorry.”
She opened her mouth to release another retort but she snapped her mouth closed when what he said sank in to her consciousness. She seemed just as surprised to hear him offer an apology as he was that he’d uttered it. “Oh.”
“Indeed.” He lifted a brow. “It isn’t something I say often. Just know that I mean it now.” He pushed off of the door and moved toward his desk, but he veered at the last minute and stared out the window. He waited for the door to open and close, signaling her departure.
“Are you… disappointed?”
He turned back to her. The look of uncertainty on her face struck something deep within his chest. “Are you?” he countered softly.
Her forehead furrowed. “I… don’t know.” She shrugged. “I know it would be the worst possible circumstances and yet?—”
