Page 102 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

She hesitated. “I… I don’t know. I’m not sure it’s appropriate.”

“Thalia,” he murmured, voice low, “I want you there.”

She looked away, so he reached out and gently curled his fingers around her chin, tilting her face up to his.

“I want you there,” he repeated, as softly as he could.

She swallowed and nodded tightly. “Then I’ll be there,” she relented.

Pulling her chin out of his grip, she gave him a wry smile and then slipped out of the room.

Anxiety jumped through Christian’s veins. He stretched out his legs, shifted in his seat, and moved his arms, but nothing helped him settle. The jolting of the carriage didn’t help either, but that was his own fault. He’d instructed the driver to go as quickly as was safely possible.

Closing his eyes, he conjured up a memory of Celestia and Laura standing on the doorstep, anxiously staring after him. Laura had wrapped up a couple of books from the library, adventure stories that she thought the boy might like. Celestia’s gift, a hamper of cakes, sat on his other side.

He had told his mother and sister the whole truth as soon as he could. It seemed right. No more secrets. Not anymore.

The carriage rolled to a halt, and his heart thumped harder than ever. He sat still, swallowing and trying to compose himself, until the footman jumped down from the driver’s seat and swung open the door.

He climbed out, feeling as if his body belonged to someone else. A nun waited for him at the top of the stone steps, the same tall, cool-eyed one he’d met before.

“It’s Sister Abigail, is it not?” he questioned.

She inclined her head. “You are welcome, Your Grace. I understand that you are here to see Alex?”

“I am. Is… is Thalia here? The Duchess, I mean.”

Was he giving himself away? Most likely.

The nun’s expression did not change. “Yes. Her Grace is already in the playroom. I’ll lead the way.”

She’s here, he thought with immense relief as he followed the nun through endless corridors and through large, shabby rooms. She kept her word. She didn’t let me down.

Sister Abigail paused in front of a wide door, then pushed it open. Inside appeared to be a playroom of sorts, designed to accommodate dozens of children at once. At the moment, however, there were only two people inside.

There was Thalia, sitting cross-legged on the floor with her skirts flaring around her, playing a game of marbles with a familiar-looking boy. He was one of the boys Christian had met before, the quieter of the two.

Alex.

His throat tightened.

How did I not see it before? I can see Sophie in the set of his chin and the color of his hair, but those are my eyes.

Clearing his throat, Christian stepped forward. Both looked up sharply. Behind him, the nun retreated tactfully, closing the door behind her.

For a moment, there was silence.

“Good morning, Alex,” Christian greeted eventually, voice rough. “I’ve brought you gifts. Sweets from my mother and books from my sister.”

Alex’s wary expression brightened. “Books?”

“Adventure books. She thought you’d like them.”

“Alex loves to read,” Thalia murmured, offering a quick, approving smile.

Feeling very much as if he were trying to tame a skittish animal, Christian stepped forward, setting down the hamper and the books on the floor.

Alex rose uncertainly to his feet, eyeing him thoughtfully. Assessing him.