“I’m sure his reason for leaving was important.” She poured him a glass of crimson liquid.
“I believe so,” the duke said in an ambiguous fashion as he took the glass from her.
Mercy had given much thought to confessing to Grant that she’d found Black’s letter. She decided against it, fearing it would be dangerous to distract him from whatever he was doing.
In the afternoon, she and Wolf walked through the home wood to the river. The pungent smells of moss and reedy water greeted them. While Wolf investigated some woodland creature’s burrow, Mercy leaned back against a gnarled oak. The river rushed by them, sparkling in the sunlight. She closed her eyes and pictured Grant. Would he be home soon?
Footsteps thudded softly over the woodland floor stirring the rotting leaf mounds below the trees. Her eyes flew open.
“Grant!” Her heart leapt at the sight of her handsome husband. Despite his demanding work, he appeared relaxed and fit. She waited for him to castigate her for wandering about alone. Instead he smiled broadly.
“Elliston told me you’d be here.”
She wanted to throw herself into his arms, but Wolf bounded over the ground to place himself between her and the interloper.
“It’s all right, Wolf, it’s just Grant. He’s an excellent guard dog,” Mercy explained. She didn’t want Grant to be concerned for her safety.
“This is Wolf?” When Grant squatted, Wolf came to him. He stroked the dog’s back, and scratched him behind his ear. “I know this breed. He’s very handsome.” Wolf showed his approval by licking Grant’s face and almost pushing him off his feet. Grant moved out of reach with a laugh of protest.
Dogs are such good judges of character, Mercy thought.
“I imagined some silly lap dog, like so many women seem to favor.” Grant straightened. “You constantly surprise me.”
She trembled under the warmth of his gaze. “I hope your trip was successful.”
“Mm.” He frowned and she regretted asking. She hadn’t expected him to tell her anything.
He slipped one hand around her waist, took her chin in his hand and kissed her. “Have you missed me?”
She coiled her arms around his neck and gazed into his searching brown eyes. “Yes,” she said on a long breath. “Did you miss me?”
He laughed, and tightened his hold. “Every minute.”
She smiled, her hand roaming the cream silk waistcoat on his broad chest, and shook her head.
“I see I shall have to convince you. I intend to make up for my neglect of you, sweetheart.”
She freed herself and gazed up at him. She wanted to hear him say he loved her. She wanted it so much, her chest hurt.
He lightly touched the dimple at the corner of her mouth, making her tremble even more. “There’s a full moon on Saturday evening. A special spring dance will be held at the York Assembly. Would you waltz with me?”
“Of course, I should love to.”
“I don’t like to see those shadows beneath your eyes.”
She knew she wasn’t looking her best. “I haven’t been sleeping well.” She rested her head against his chest breathing in his familiar masculine smell, and her heart began to beat in rhythm with his. How complete she felt when in his arms.
“I shall endeavor to make sure you sleep tonight.” His husky voice rumbled in her ears, his words thrilling her. She wanted it to always be like this between them, but she feared the future.
He took her hand. They walked back through the woods, their feet releasing pungent earthy smells into the air. Wolf dived under a moss-covered log and emerged on the other side, tongue lolling.
“How is Grandfather?”
“He seems well. He has been teaching me the finer points of chess.”
Grant smiled. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“I shall never know enough to challenge him.”
