His cousin nodded. “You should also hire a painter to come do a portrait of your wife. Nothing pleases Lois more than posing for a portrait.”
“That’s an excellent idea.”
Oliver patted Thomas on the back. “Marriage takes time to get used to, for both men and women; just give it a little more time.”
Thomas agreed and was relieved to see Lois walking toward them.
“We’d best get going, Ollie, or we’ll miss our train,” she said, and placed her hand on her husband’s arm. Oliver patted her hand.
“Goodbye, Thomas,” he said with his jaunty smile. “We’ll see you soon in London.”
“Sooner,” Lois said. “I’ve convinced Cordelia to throw a masquerade ball before the start of the Season.”
“Please say that you don’t want me to dress up like a pirate or something equally ridiculous,” Oliver said.
“Of course not, darling. You’ll be going as a sphinx.”
Oliver rolled his eyes and his wife laughed. Hibbert brought their hats and wraps, and Thomas walked them out to their carriage. Instead of returning inside, he strolled along the river that ran by his house. He appreciated Oliver’s praise and advice, but all he could think of was how much he cared for Cordelia. He didn’t care if she bore him an heir or not. She was more than enough for him.
I’m in love with my wife.
He loved her and he wanted Cordelia to love him and not whoever that American bloke was. But how did one tell their wife that they loved her? Especially if they married her for her money?
Thomas realized that he’d never courted Cordelia. Never attempted to win her favor. He would have to show her how much he cared and then tell her the feelings of his heart.
28
After dinner, Thomas escorted Cordelia to her room. He stood awkwardly in front of her door, with its newly replaced handle and lock.
“Thank you for the new lock,” she said, and pulled a key out of her pocket. “I feel much safer knowing that I am the only one with a key to my room.”
“If-if you need any-anything, I’m only a room away,” he said, absurdly hoping that she would ask him into her bed again. Only to be near her. To talk to her without anyone else being present.
“Thank you,” she said, and then went into her room, closing the door behind her.
Thomas sighed and opened his own door. Thayne was waiting for him.
“Did you have a good evening, my lord?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Thayne efficiently went about his duties and Thomas climbed into his bed. It was cold and empty. He put his hands behind his head and tried to fall asleep. But all he could think of was Cordelia and how gradually he’d fallen in love with her. He’d always assumed that love was an instantaneous attraction, a sort of “love at first sight.” The first time he’d seen Cordelia he’d felt only relief mixed with a little guilt. Relief that she was pretty, and guilty when he saw her face, her eyes red and swollen by tears. He knew he should have called the wedding off then. But he didn’t. He had steadfastly looked forward and thought of Ashdown.
Ashdown Abbey. He’d been willing to sacrifice everything for it only to realize that he now would willingly sacrifice Ashdown for Cordelia. She meant more to him than family, tradition, and responsibility.
* * *
“Thomas! Thomas!”
He jumped out of bed and raced through the dressing room, this time avoiding the stool that he’d tripped on before. A fire burned in the fireplace, so he could see Cordelia standing on her bed, gripping her steel-tipped umbrella like a weapon. He glanced around the room. No one else was there and the door was closed. He walked to the door and turned the knob, but it was locked.
“The woman didn’t come through the door, but she came through the wall there,” Cordelia said, and pointed to the west wall that had wooden paneling from the floor to the ceiling.
“It was a woman? Are you sure?”
“Yes, I could see the outline of her shape from the fire.”
“Did you see her face?”
