April swallowed then tried to speak, her voice faltering. “Surely you knew nothing bad could happen, I only came?—”
He laughed, short and dark. “You only came to visit your family? You were in no condition to leave the manor after what occurred that night. You had no guard nor escort.”
He moved to face her now, his eyes locked on hers, unblinking. “Do you know what could have happened on that road? Highwaymen. Traitors. Enemies who seek revenge. A lone duchess—widely known, married to a man pursuing justice against dangerous men. There are those who would not hesitate to use you to reach me. Murder, blackmail, abduction. Need I go on?”
April’s blood ran cold. She had forgotten. Forgotten all about the men he had interrogated, the threats still lurking in the shadows. Forgotten how easily a warning might be delivered.
“I am sorry,” she whispered. “I did not think. I only felt afraid.”
He pulled her into his arms before the last word had even left her lips. She sank into his embrace, her tears coming swift and silent. “I could not bear to be near water,” she murmured. “Each time the carriage neared a bridge, I gripped the seat so tightly. I feared I would fall.”
He held her tighter. “You are safe now. I pulled you out once, and I would do it again. A hundred times if necessary. You have no need to run.”
She lifted her head slightly. “May I not visit my family?”
He chuckled, low and warm. “That is different, and you know it. You did not come to visit. You fled, seeking refuge.”
A breath escaped her, part sigh, part laugh. “You know me too well.”
“I intend to know you better still.”
She hesitated then spoke softly, “I do not wish to be afraid any longer. I want to learn how to swim. I shall hire someone?—”
“No.”
The firmness in his voice made her pause.
“No one else. If you are to learn, you will learn from me. For your safety,” he said then added with unmistakable gravity, “and because I will not have another man touching you.”
Her breath caught. Not just from the possessiveness of the words but from the sudden, undeniable warmth that bloomed deep in her chest.
April looked up at him, stunned, a hot and restless sensation sparking beneath her ribs. “Why must it be you?” she asked, faintly teasing. “Surely you have better things to do than oversee my flailing in a pond.”
He arched a brow. “I will not entrust your safety to another. And, besides,” he stepped closer, his hand finding the curve of her waist, “I believe I would enjoy watching your attempts.”
“Enjoy watching me struggle, would you?” she shot back, smiling despite herself.
“Greatly. And I shall rescue you every time you sink.”
April tilted her chin. “Perhaps I shall not sink. Perhaps I will swim like a swan.”
“A very determined swan,” he murmured, drawing her in, the air between them charged.
The tension crested. Her heart drummed against her ribs. She swayed slightly toward him. He leaned closer, the press of his hand against her back tightening, his gaze dipping to her mouth.
The door burst open.
“Oh, what a surprise!” Dorothy swept into the room, bright-eyed and utterly oblivious. “You did not say he was coming, April!”
April jumped back. Theo straightened, a muscle ticking in his jaw. He gave Dorothy a nod. “I came to retrieve my wife. We had a small disagreement, and she fled.”
Dorothy gasped. “Fled? Good heavens, April!”
“Mama, it is?—”
“Spats are part of marriage,” her mother interjected. “You must return to your home.”
“That is what I am going to do,” she mumbled as Theo took her hand.
