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How was she?

Worried?

Angry?

Disillusioned?

Afraid?

Layton’s heart twinged with renewed remorse for the hasty manner in which he had departed Prudhoe ten days ago, but he had been given no choice.

He closed his eyes, picturing her standing in Kelston Hall’s drawing room, uncertain and vulnerable, yet her brown eyes filled with trust as he had escorted Viscount Merrivale from the room.

A wry half-smile tugged his mouth upward on one side as he opened his eye. Truth be told, he was quite proud of himself for not pummeling the viscount for disparaging Lilly.

Regardless, Layton would bet his remaining good eye that trust no longer glimmered in her doe-eyed gaze. In all likelihood, Lilly believed he had abandoned her, when that was the farthest thing from the truth.

His abrupt leave-taking had been to protect her and the children.

Ten days ago, he did not know Highbury and his thugs had already been detained, thanks to his brothers’ diligence. That the villains posed no further risk to him, Lilly, or anyone else at Kelston Hall brought him a tremendous sense of relief.

However, until Merrivale had been dealt with once and for all, he thought it wisest to remain near the viscount.

Layton hadn’t written her yet to explain his actions, mainly because he preferred to inform Lilly in person, when he could also tell her he was not married. And, as important, how much he adored her.

Nevertheless, that had not stopped him from hiring four men, highly recommended by his step-cousin, Torrian Westbrook, a successful detective, to guard Kelston Hall discreetly during Layton’s absence.

He strongly suspected his highhanded actions would miff Lilly, but what she did not know could not upset her. And when they next met—and they would, by thunder, if it was the last thing he ever did—he would explain everything to her and beg her to forgive him.

And ask her to marry him.

He who had sworn off marriage.

The irony did not escape him.

Although, knowing his intrepid, independent Lilly as he did, she would initially refuse his proposal, citing the need to care for the children. Nevertheless, he had a masterful plan to counter her argument.

One, he hoped, she could not say no to.

Time would not pass swiftly enough until he saw her precious face again. He even missed the children, Charles, and Mrs. B.

They had become a second family to him.

Soon.

Soon, he could return.

Once Merrivale relinquished any claim to Matilda Davenport’s estate. Layton hoped that would occur during his meeting with the viscount tomorrow afternoon.

Heaving a heavy sigh, he set the nearly empty cup aside.

“More coffee, Captain Westbrook?” De le Chance’s footman asked, looking and sounding far too chipper at this ungodly hour.

What was the cheerful fellow’s name?

Humphrey?

Yes, that was it.