Page 64 of Maid for the Marquess

“I do love you,” I retorted. “With all of my heart.” Then I grinned. “You don’t feel that you’ve won when I vex you,” I said with a wink, enjoying the conversation with her.

She smiled softly. “We don’t vex each other much.”

“No.”

“Have you ever loved before?” she asked.

That question caught me off guard, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts.

“When I was in my youth, I fancied myself in love. She was a young maid, and she was sweet and lovely. We grew close, and I wanted to marry her. Lift her out of the drudgery her life was.”

“What happened?” she asked gently.

“We were found out by my father. He was furious. Informed me that peers of the realm didn’t marry maids. That she was simply using me for my wealth and title and I was an idiot. I remember how frightened she appeared to be, how terrified her eyes were as he dragged her from me, sending her away. The look in her eyes haunted me. The look in your eyes that night reminded me of that dread.”

“Is that why you took me?”

“Yes,” I replied honestly. “I had seen that frightened expression before, and I refused to leave you to the life you had.” I sighed. “The look of terror in your eyes that night will never leave me. I strive to ensure you never appear thus again.”

She was silent for a moment, her gaze locked on mine.

“What occurred after?”

“My father and I argued, and he beat me. Locked me up in the attic for weeks on end.”

She grasped my hands. “Alexander,” she breathed. “How terrible.”

“Once I recovered, I searched for her. It was as if she had disappeared. I was beside myself, feeling as if I had let her down. Terrified that she was alone and what she was doing for employment. How she was caring for herself.”

“Did you find her?”

“It took a whole year, but I did.”

“And?” she prompted, as if I were telling her a fairy tale and she couldn’t wait for the ending.

“In this case, my father was right. When I found her, she was married to a blacksmith. Happy and with child. She had to recall who I was, then laughed off my concern and walked away. I realized then how little I had meant to her. She had been more concerned about losing her position in the household.”

“Oh, Alexander,” she murmured, stroking my jaw. “You must have been distraught.”

I shook my head as I recalled how I’d truly felt. “I felt foolish and angry that my father had been right. I swore never to put my heart in danger again.” I squeezed her hands. “Until you came into my life, my sweet, and changed all that.”

“Another maid,” she whispered.

“No,” I almost snarled. “You were never truly a maid. You were raised as a lady.”

“But not seen as such. Even if my father hadn’t reduced my life to that of a servant, I would only be a miss.”

I shook my head, not caring. “You are a lady now. My lady. My marchioness.” I smiled at her. “My beloved wife.”

She returned my smile, but I saw a touch of worry in it. I lifted our joined hands and kissed her knuckles. “The only woman I have ever truly loved. The only woman I will ever love.”

Her smile became bright again. “As I love you.”

Her stomach chose that moment to grumble, and I laughed. “I believe our child needs nourishment, my wife. Shall we go downstairs and see what Cook has made for you today?”

The domestics adored her, and my cook loved to spoil Maddie with treats and special meals. Now that she was feeling better, she loved breakfast and ate well most days.

“Yes,” she sighed happily. “I am hungry.”