It would be like Merrywood again, his lying with her. Her sleeping with his presence around her and in her soul. She might not regret the passion, but this—
Her heart swelled with poignant emotion as the intimacy descended, claiming her. But she trembled too. She would endure the worst of the heartache again, raw like a fresh cut.
“Does anyone come here in the morning?” he asked in a drowsy voice. “One of the servants?”
“I must go and get one. Mrs. Lavender will do nothing to aid my comfort.”
He settled himself deeper on the pillow, and rested an arm over her. “That is because she suspected you were troublesome baggage at first sight.” He yawned. “As did I, God help me.”
CHAPTER20
Ives arrived at Langley House the next evening. He found Gareth in the library as planned. He poured himself some brandy and stood by the window, watching twilight begin its fade to black.
“Where are the others?”
“Eva is in her chambers, reading. Lance is in his study, pretending to attend to estate affairs,” Gareth said. “The solicitor sent a stack of documents around late in the afternoon, with a message they required his immediate attention.”
“Convenient.”
“Damned convenient. Good of him to help out.”
“He does not want Lance in more trouble any more than we do.”
He opened the window and stuck his head out. Hecould see the moon low in the sky. There were few clouds to interfere with what light it would give.
Gareth stood. “Shall we go?”
Ives nodded. They walked side by side to the reception hall.
“Ives. I did not know you were here.” Lance’s voice sounded from the stairs.
“Keep walking,” Ives muttered under his breath. He shot a quick glance back at Lance, who stood on one of the stairs with a stack of papers in his arms. “I just stopped by to get Gareth.” He aimed for the door.
“Where are you going?”
Gareth turned and shrugged. “Out and about. No place of interest. No place that is any fun. I am married now, so it is bound to be a boring few hours all around.”
“Not as boring as mine.” He frowned at the documents. “I think we need a new solicitor.”
Ives hung back while Gareth engaged.
“It is quite a lot of paper,” Gareth said.
“I was going to spread it out in the library and see if it makes more sense that way.”
“Such are the duties of the title, eh?” Gareth gave Lance’s shoulder a firm clasp. “We will let you get to it, then.”
“Hell. It can wait. Even being bored by you is better than this.” He gestured for a footman, and deposited the stack into his arms. He brushed off his coat sleeves. “So, where to first?”
Ives inserted himself. “You cannot come.”
“Why not?”
“It would not be appropriate,” Gareth said. “If we are caught, it is one thing. If you are, it is a huge scandal and the talk of the town.”
“Caught doing what?”
Ives wanted to throttle Gareth. “None of your business. Which is why you cannot come.”
