“I haven’t planned that far,” he said, forcing a chuckle to disguise the way her question unsettled him. Then, with deliberate calm, he added, “But I will.”
That was all she needed, it seemed, for she rested her head against his shoulder, her body relaxing into his without ceremony. He wrapped his arms around her as if she might vanish if he held her too tightly.
If she knew what that gesture cost him, she gave no sign.They danced until the last of the candles stuttered and the music below faded to memory, until the night itself seemed to exhale and go still.
By the time they returned to the inn, April was half asleep on his shoulder in the carriage. Theo stepped down from the carriage and helped her down. She was still smiling and sleepy though there was contentment behind her eyes, and it struck him in the chest with subdued force.
He wanted to keep that look more than he’d wanted anything in years.
As they stepped into the inn, a footman approached them and bowed. “This arrived earlier for you, Your Grace.”
Theo accepted the folded missive and looked down. It bore no seal on the wax, and he frowned.
April noticed, too, because she asked. “Is all well?”
He tucked the letter into his coat, schooling his features. “It is, my darling.”
Taking her hand, he led her up to their suite. She hummed something tuneless as she slipped into the dressing chamber with a promise to return shortly. He waited until the door latched before unfolding the note.
You need to keep your wife closer, Stone.
Theo stared at the words as a stillness crept over him, colder than fury and sharper than fear. Every muscle in his body grew tense until it ached, and he curled his fingers into fists, crushing the letter.
What is the meaning of this?
Someone had sent this knowing precisely where they were, and tonight of all nights.
The fire roared in his chest now, and it licked at his restraint.
If they thought to reach her… if they believed, even for a moment, that they could touch her…
They would learn just how close he could keep her.
Thirty-Three
“Enter,” April called as the soft knock came.
She sat in the dressing room while Miss Evans carefully tucked the last of the pearl pins into her chignon. The maid stepped aside just in time for the doorway to fill with the tall, composed form of her husband.
Miss Evans gave a swift curtsy and disappeared. April remained seated, her hands folded in her lap, but her gaze caught his in the mirror.He approached without a word and set a small velvet box on the vanity before placing his hands lightly on her shoulders.
She raised a brow at his reflection. “You arrive bearing gifts now?”
He bent and kissed the top of her head, the warmth of it sending a small thrill down her spine.
“Perhaps it’s a reward,” he said. “Though undeserved. You’ve retained none of the lessons I’ve given you about patience.”
“Have I not?” she asked, pretending to pout. “I thought I’d made excellent progress in the art of patience.”
His brows lifted. “Is that what you call pestering me for answers every other minute?”
“I call it curiosity. A woman’s prerogative.”
“Is it?” he murmured, fingers brushing deliberately along her collarbone as he opened the box.
April turned to peer inside. Her breath caught.
A sapphire necklace, rich and brilliant, nestled in velvet beside its matching earrings. The gems gleamed like frozen sky, deep and dazzling.
