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“And they you,” he whispered, then caught her lips in a brief kiss.

He looked around, hunting for his shirt, then finally found it and began putting it on under Honoria’s watchful gaze, her lower lip caught between her teeth.

“What?” he asked, raising a brow.

“I like watching you dress.”

“You like seeing me cover up my body?”

She laughed. “No. I like seeing your shoulders shrug into the confines of your shirt. I like watching your fingers work the buttons. I could watch you do that all night.”

He let out a huff. “I’m sure we can find better things to do all night.”

She grinned, then stepped closer, her hands trailing up his abdomen to rest on his chest. Rising on tiptoes, she kissed his lips.

He drew her closer, unwilling to let go.

“Where’s your waistcoat?” she asked against his mouth.

Jacob laughed. “Really? That’s what you’re thinking about? At home. I forgot to put it on in my haste to get to you.”

She looked away, her expression troubled.

“What?”

“I appreciate what you’re doing for me, Jacob, more than you know. But I worry about the children. The next few years won’t be easy on them.”

He let out a breath. “I know. I thought about it all the way here, and I think that maybe…”

“Maybe what?”

“Perhaps we should consider sending Elise to Florence for her season. She might be better off abroad, away from prying eyes. I’m sure there’s a gentlemen’s school there for Robbie, too. They’d be under the watchful eye of Lady Somerville while we sort things out here. And whenever we can, we’ll visit them. And then…” He paused.

“And then?”

“When you’re free of that cockchafer, we can move there. Somewhere no one knows us.”

Her face lit up with a brilliant smile that almost blinded him. “I love you,” she said.

His heart pounded violently at the words.

He’d hoped she loved him… Hoped she reciprocated his feelings, but hearing it from her lips… There was no better feeling.

He took her hand and kissed her fingers. “Let’s go home.”

They left the house a few minutes later. They couldn’t find the hosts to bid farewell, so Jacob simply asked Drake to pass on his gratitude. He thanked his friend for protecting Honoria in his absence, and then they made their way outside.

When they were only a few feet from the carriage, a shadow appeared before them.

Not a shadow—Bradshaw, blocking their path. Honoria squeezed Jacob’s hand, her body starting to tremble.

“Get out of our way,” Jacob warned.

Bradshaw took in Honoria’s disheveled appearance, Jacob’s coat hugging her shoulders, and sneered. “Caldwell, have you been harboring my dear wife all this time?”

“It’s none of your business.” Jacob made to pass him, but Bradshaw blocked their path.

“Have you been fucking her?” Bradshaw barked.