Page 63 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

“Tired. I have been given something to sleep since the doctor thought sleep and bed rest might keep the babe in place.”

He studied her for a minute, taking in the lavender and lemon scent that followed her everywhere. She looked tired and wan, but never more beautiful to him. How he had missed her, and how much he wanted to make things right between them.

“I want to—”

They both started at once. However, what he wanted to say required privacy. He looked over his shoulder at the surgeon and Sophia. “If you will leave us now, I would like to speak with her ladyship in private.”

The surgeon nodded. “I have given instructions to her lady’s maid. If you have any questions, please send a note around and I will return. Right now, it looks as though all is well as long as her ladyship remains in bed for at least two weeks.”

“I guarantee it, sir.” He turned to Arabella. “Even if I have to tie her to the bed.”

The surgeon coughed slightly, and he and Sophia left the room.

Nash looked down at Arabella who looked uneasy, as though she were afraid of what he intended to say. He rubbed his suddenly wet palms on his pants. “There are several things we need to discuss.”

…

Arabella couldn’t believe Nash was really here. She had thought about him, and prayed that he would come to her, so much so, that when he’d first entered the room, she was afraid her tired mind had conjured him up from her imagination.

He looked so good. Scruffy, with red-rimmed eyes and his clothes full of road dust. He studied her with such concern in his eyes, she imagined perhaps he returned her feelings. Could she be so fortunate that he had discovered during their separation that he wanted her as much as she wanted him?

“I’m sorry—”

r /> Again, they both spoke at the same time. Nash held up his hand. “No, I go first.” He took both of her hands in his and kissed her knuckles, gazing into her eyes as he spoke. “I love you, Arabella. The last two weeks have been terrible, the worst time of my life. I miss you, your smile, your laughter, and yes, the craziness that is our life.

“As I have now joined the ranks of to-be-pitied besotted husbands, I will no longer complain about your animals. I want you to be happy, sweetheart, and if being up to your elbows in animal blood”—he shuddered—“makes you happy, then it will make me happy, as well.”

Arabella swallowed the sob threatening to erupt from her chest. “And I love you, Nash.” She continued in a thick voice, fighting the tears. “It only took a few days here by myself to realize I care about you and our marriage more than I ever will about animals. I was planning to come back to London to host another dinner party”—she shuddered—“and be the perfect ton wife when I was thrown from Bessie.”

“Ah, sweeting, you are the perfect ton wife for me.” He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. “The best thing that ever happened to me was you falling into my arms in a dark library at the Ashbourne’s ball. I thought I wanted a typical debutante for a wife. You showed me that what I considered a typical wife would make me bored and restless for the rest of my life.”

Despite her best effort, a lone tear slid down her cheek. “I am giving away most of the dogs in the kennel. The staff has been finding homes for them since I’ve been bedridden.”

She released the rest of the tears that were trying so hard to burst forth. He pulled her up and hugged her to his chest. “We will each make some concessions, and I’m not promising that we won’t argue over things, but in the long run, what matters is we love each other, and we can overcome whatever difficulties we face.”

Nash stretched out on the bed alongside Arabella. “I am exhausted.” He intertwined their fingers together. “I haven’t slept well since you left.”

“Me, neither.”

He tapped her on the nose. “I miss your warm bottom shoved up against my hip.”

Arabella felt the heat rise to her face. “My lord!”

Nash yawned and turned on his side. “I need food, but I’m too tired to go to the kitchen and interrupt Cook to make me something.”

“My lady, is there anything else you need for the night?” Sophia entered the room and stopped abruptly when she saw Nash lying alongside Arabella on the bed. “Oh, excuse me, my lord.” She began to back out.

Nash sat up. “No, wait. Don’t leave.”

She continued to ease herself toward the door. “My lord?”

“Yes. I am in dire need of sustenance. Please see what you can find in the kitchen. Bread, cheese, fruit, anything at all.”

“Yes, my lord.” She still looked uncomfortable with the two of them in bed together. “My lady, do you wish something as well?”

“Bring enough for both of us. Her ladyship needs food.” He rested his hand on her belly. “A great deal of food.”

Sophia smiled. “Yes, my lord.”