But he also did not wish to make things strained or awkward between his son and the duchess with his presence.
He should allow them to enjoy their time together without any interruptions.
“No, it is all right. I will be on my way now.”
The housekeeper curtsied and he nodded at her before he left the house.
As he settled into the carriage, he remembered that the last time he was in it, he had just been married and was transporting his new wife to his home. It was strange, how determined he had been then to ensure that he had achieved what he set out to do but when he properly assessed the situation, he felt guilty about her involvement.
His journey came to an end rather quickly and he found himself in front of a familiar house. He walked up the stairs to the door, knocking against it briefly.
A butler opened the door and bowed to him as he stepped back to let Thomas in.
“Good morning, Your Grace. His Grace is in his study. I will inform in of your presence. Please follow me.”
Thomas followed him closely, walking after him without much thought. He had spent a lot of his time here in his youth than at his own home and it had begun to feel like he dwelled here.
The butler knocked at a closed door and when they heard a grunt of acknowledgement, he opened the door and announced,
“His Grace, the Duke of Ravencroft is here to see you, Your Grace.”
“Is that so? Is he really here?” A voice asked in excitement.
Thomas sighed and walked into the study once the butler ushered him in, instantly meeting his friend’s excited gaze.
“Ravencroft! What a glorious surprise.”
Thomas regarded the table strewn in papers and the quill in his friend’s hand and he said,
“You appear to be occupied.”
“As I live and breathe. If it isn’t my dear friend who should be somewhere on his honeymoon with the lucky woman he recently wedded. I am never too busy for you, old friend. Have you come to invite me along on your travels?” Edward Barton, the Duke of Montford teased with a grin.
“I see no reason why you cannot travel on your own if you wish too.” Thomas scoffed as he sat down in front of his friend’s desk.
“Tsk. Even after so many years, you still do not know much about my preferences. If I wished to embark on an adventure in solitude, I would not have requested for company. But enough about me. Tell me, how was your wedding? Are you not meant to be at home right now, basking inn marital bliss?”
“There is no such thing,” Thomas rolled his eyes. “I just barely managed to convince her to marry me after she had run away from the church.”
“I beg your pardon — she did what?”
Thomas gratefully accepted the glass of whiskey Edward handed over to him, taking a mouthful immediately.
“There was commotion in front of the church before the ceremony began and when I went to look, I found her peering through the windows of a carriage. When it seemed no one was around, she got out, took one of the horses and rode away.I followed her but lost her once the rain picked up a bit. Eventually, I found her again, but she had been injured. It wasn’t serious so I helped dress her wound and… I should have let her go. I wanted to. But she seemed so intent on fleeing from me. I understood why — I have ears. I know what they say about me. I know what the ton thinks of me. I did not want to force some poor woman into a marriage based on a mere inkling I had. But the longer I spent by her side, the more convinced I was that perhaps… perhaps she might be of some help. I told her about Reuben — not everything. Only that I had a son and I believed that a mother might help with his problems.
“I offered to end things in three months, regardless of the outcome. Since I had only been searching for a wide for Reuben’s sake, I told her out marriage would be in name only. I do not know what I was thinking or why. I suppose I was simply desperate. I thought she might leave regardless but she agreed. And we were wed less than half an hour later.”
Edward stared at him wordlessly for a moment, then he held his glass up to him.
“That is a wonderful tale to tell little Reuben when he is older. I am certain he will be as entertained as I am in this moment.”
Thomas glared at Edward who smirked in reply, making him sigh in defeat.
“Have they been introduced? Your wife and your son?” Edward questioned.
“Yes. Yesterday morning.”
“It went well?”
