Page 53 of Six Nights to Marry a Marquess

Instead of working on the ship model he’d intended, Theodore found himself carving out a carriage instead. He recalled the worn-out wooden carriage the little tenant girl had shown him during his last visit. He was certain she would be thrilled with a new addition to her toy collection.

As he carved, his thoughts kept drifting back to Agnes, however, and he wondered if she was still asleep after her tea. He had been surprised earlier when Mrs. Davis reported back that Agnes had taken the tea without the anticipated protests. He hoped it would help soothe her.

Just then, a soft knock came on his workshop door. “Come in,” he called out abstractedly, expecting Quentin or Mrs. Davis to enter.

But when he looked up, expecting one of his staff, he was shocked to find his wife instead.

“Agnes,” he dropped his carving instruments and shot to his feet, a mix of surprise and concern flashing across his face.

“You’re out of bed. Are you alright?” He rounded his work desk quickly, his eyes scanning her for any sign of discomfort.

“I wouldn’t let a little headache confine me, Theodore,” she chuckled lightly, her voice stronger than he had expected. “I am much better,” she added, her assurance bringing a surprising amount of relief that washed over him, easing the tightness he hadn’t realized had settled around his heart.

He watched her eyes roam the length and breadth of his workroom with apparent curiosity, noting her intrigued gaze as it settled on various tools and unfinished projects. And then it dawned on him that this was indeed the first time she had ventured into this part of their home.

“How did you find me?” he asked, his tone a mix of amusement and curiosity, wondering how she had known where to look for him.

“Now,thatis a secret I refuse to divulge so easily,” she replied slyly, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Which means you can divulge it,” Theodore teased, stepping closer to her.

“Perhaps,” she shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“I bet you got Mrs. Davis or Quentin’s help,” Theodore guessed, trying to figure out her method.

“Oh come now, surely you can do better than that, Theodore,” she giggled, waving off his accusation. “And no. They didn’t show me your workroom,” she added, her denial firm.

“Well then howdidyou find it?” he pressed, genuinely curious now about her detective skills.

“Life isn’t that cheap, Lord Gillingham,” his wife returned cheekily as she approached his worktable, her demeanor playful yet charming.

“Name your price then,” he found himself laughing, caught up in the light-hearted banter that had so unexpectedly brightened his day.

“These are just as beautiful as the ones I saw in the library,” she remarked, sounding almost in awe as she stared at some finished ship models on his desk. “Mrs. Davis said you built those too,” she added, her voice soft as she touched the delicate craftsmanship of the models.

“It has been a pastime of mine. I’ve always loved carving things. Especially ships. I practically spent my childhood chipping away at wood,” Theodore explained, his voice laced with nostalgia as he followed her around the room while she explored his work station.

“Such talent,” Agnes remarked, running a finger over the hull of a model ship that rested on an end table by the window. The craftsmanship drew her admiration visibly.

“And when the opportunity came for me to make my hobby into my trade, I did,” he added, his tone reflecting a mix of pride and satisfaction.

“You sell these models?” Her eyes grew brighter with intrigue and surprise.

“I design and build my own ships,” he clarified with a slight nod, before elaborating on his ventures. He shared how he not only created models but also built actual vessels that he then leased out to merchants and other business owners.

“For those interested, of course, I don’t just sell my models, I build the vessels for them,” Theodore continued, clearly enjoying the opportunity to share this aspect of his life with her. His enthusiasm was palpable, fueled further by her keen interest.

He found himself eager to disclose more, driven by her enthusiasm which seemed to draw out his words more freely than usual. “As a matter of fact, the deal I was supposed to close with Asmont was an order of some vessels based on this very model here,” he said, reaching to remove another ship from a nearby glass-covered cabinet. He carefully handed it to her, letting her see the fine details up close.

Building these ships for Asmont would have revived his dying business, a fact that hung silently between them as he awaited her reaction to the miniature piece in her hands.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, her voice soft with admiration as she carefully held the ship model.

But Asmont wouldn’t have it anymore, Theodore thought to himself miserably. The possibility had vanished as swiftly as it had appeared.

“The deal with the Earl is off now, is it not?” Agnes muttered ruefully, her tone reflecting a mix of disappointment and sympathy. It was as though she had somehow read his thoughts right then.

Theodore nodded, his face a mask of resigned acceptance just as he felt her free hand gently touching his arm, offering comfort.

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