“Indeed,” Athena said, suddenly apprehensive of the introduction.
If Robert harbored any lingering regrets, he showed no sign of it. Instead, he smiled at Lilly and Lucas. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances.”
Lilly extended her hand. “Would you like a chestnut?”
“How kind of you to offer,” Robert told her with an indulgent grin. He selected a chestnut and quickly ate it. “These are excellent. The best I’ve ever had.”
Lilly beamed at him as if he were the sun and the stars. Lucas, who was that bit older than his sister, frowned. “What sort of lord are you?”
“I’m a marquess.”
“Hmm.” Lucas glanced at Athena, then back at Robert. “Do you wish to marry our aunt?”
Athena choked on the air she’d been breathing and instantly coughed. “Lucas!”
The boy, every bit as serious as his papa, merely shrugged. “As your only male relative here, I should know his intentions.”
“Quite right,” Robert chuckled. Amusement danced in his eyes. “And the answer is yes. If she’ll have me.”
Everything came to a standstill. Athena blinked. Had Robert just said what she thought he’d said? Surely not. She tried to breathe, tried to feel the ground beneath her feet. “That’s not a...I mean, you didn’t just...Robert, are you—”
“No.”
“No?”
“That was not a proposal, but rather an assurance to satisfy Master Lucas’s concerns.”
“I see.” Athena stared at him. She felt like she had been hung upside down. The world wasn’t quite as steady as it had been before Robert’s arrival.
Lilly took a massive bite from the mince pie. “I’m cold. Can we keep walking?”
“Of course,” Athena said.
“It’s good to see you again,” Robert said as he fell into step beside her.
Taking courage, Athena reached out and took his arm. “Likewise.”
They proceeded in silence for a while before Robert said, “I hope you know why I’m here.”
“Considering you’ve not been to Town in years, I’m guessing it must involve a matter of great importance.”
“Indeed it does.” His hand covered hers, the warmth there infusing her skin. “I am hoping we will have a chance to discuss it in private when we arrive at Townsbridge House.”
“I am sure that can be arranged,” she said, offering him the assurance she thought he might need. Beneath her hand, she felt his muscles flex, and when she looked up, she saw the strain in his features. This was not a man at ease but rather one strung tight with tension.
Her own stomach tightened in response, her pulse leaping with every step they took, until they reached their destination and stepped inside the house. The children quickly removed their outerwear garments and hurried through to the parlor so they could relate the details of their excursion to their grandparents.
Athena untied her bonnet and handed it to the butler before removing her cloak and gloves. Robert followed suit, dispensing with his greatcoat and hat.
“This way.” Athena grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the back of the house. She opened the door to the library, swept the space with her gaze, and stepped inside. “Here we are. The privacy you requested, my lord.”
He followed her into the room and shut the door.
Athena glanced at it, then at him. A fluttery feeling erupted within her breast. Never in her life had she been subjected to such unfeigned yearning. Good heavens, the man was looking at her as if he’d not eaten for years and intended her to be his next meal.
“Robert?” His name whispered across her lips.
He moved toward her. A nerve ticked at the edge of his jaw. Swallowing, he reached for her hand. “You wrecked everything for me six years ago, and yet, although you had no reason to believe I harbored anything else but anger toward you, you still sought me out in an effort to make amends. Athena, you are tempestuous, willful, and more than capable of testing my sanity, but you’re also spirited, strong, and utterly wonderful. And while I must confess I never imagined falling in love with you, I have. My heart is yours and I am hoping, praying, that yours is mine as well, for if it is not, then—”
