Page 81 of Six Nights to Marry a Marquess

Her friends’ faces brightened at her acquiescence, glad to see her considering anything that might bring even a small measure of relief.

“Do not expect fresh air, Aggie,” Emma teased. “This is London, and all the time you spent in the country has likely made you forget.”

Agnes chuckled at that.

It has been three days without Agnes,Theodore thought to himself as he paced his study. He was counting. Every moment. He couldn’t help but count his hours of misery without his wife.

“Would you like anything, My Lord?” Quentin’s muffled voice came through the door in concert with his knock.

Theodore had locked the door, and the old man had remained persistent in knocking and asking how he was.

“I told you I don’t need anything, Quentin,” Theodore groaned. He gulped down the contents of the tumbler in his hand before tossing the empty glass, sending it crashing into the fireplace.

It shattered to a thousand pieces. A lot like his heart at this very moment. Each fragment reflected a piece of his broken spirit, scattered and irretrievable.

“My lord? My lord, is everything all right in there?” The butler’s voice held alarm in it now. The doorknob rattled as the man attempted to open the locked door, his concern evident in the urgency of his actions.

“Go away, Quentin!” Theodore barked, his voice harsh, more from pain than anger.

Silence ensued, but he should have known that it would be short-lived, for soon after, Harriet came knocking. Theodore ignored their incessant knocks and pleas until they finally surrendered and left him to carry on brooding in silence.

He sat before the fireplace and let his head fall into his palms. He was unable to understand his pain. Wasn’t he supposed to feel relief after letting Agnes go and keeping her safe from him? Never has he experienced such pain in his life before.

Another knock came, and Theodore opened his mouth to let out a curse. Only to pause when he heard Mr. Thompson’s voice, firm and unmistakable, through the thick wood of the door. The solicitor had sent him several missives over the past days, and the letters still lay atop his desk unopened, their seals mocking him from afar.

“I come with company wishing for an urgent audience with His Lordship.” Mr. Thompson knocked on the door again, more insistently this time.

Theodore had half a heart to ignore him, but he reluctantly got to his feet. Curiosity piqued, he wondered,who was this urgent company?

He opened his study door to the sight of the solicitor. Alone. “Your tricks are not amusing, Thomp?—”

“Lord Asmont and his solicitor wish to see you. They’re in the drawing room,” Mr. Thompson interjected before Theodore could finish his rebuke.

His gaze traveled over Theodore right then, taking in the disheveled state of his attire and the unmistakable signs of distress that marked his features. After a brief, uncomfortable silence, he cleared his throat and added, “Perhaps His Lordship would like to tidy himself up before joining them?”

“Tell them I shall join them shortly.”

Wondering what the sudden call was about, Theodore dashed up the stairs to his bedchamber, calling, “Audley!”

His valet appeared almost immediately and helped Theodore clean and dress as quickly as possible. Within minutes, Theodore was transformed from a disheveled recluse to the picture of a composed gentleman. Then he made his way down to the drawing room, his steps measured, preparing himself for whatever awaited.

“Ah, Gillingham. I thought you’d never join us,” Asmont said upon his entrance, his voice carrying a light jest. “Pardon my unannounced visit, but after inspecting your vessels and models, I simply couldn’t wait to discuss moving forward with you. I would like you to build my next trading ships.”

Theodore thought that he’d never seen the Earl so enthusiastic. This greatly surprised him, sparking a mix of intrigue and caution.

“What changed your mind, Asmont?” Theodore asked, his tone carefully neutral. As glad as he was about the possibility of a deal with the Earl, he did not wish to enter into a superficial contract, too. He wanted all laid bare and clear from the start.

Asmont suddenly glanced in the direction of their waiting solicitors. “Might we discuss the specifics in the study? It would afford us more privacy.”

The solicitors excused themselves at this, but Theodore still led the earl to his study. “I trust your stay in Essex was pleasant?”Asmont said, initiating the conversation with a cordial inquiry as he took a seat in one of the chairs before the hearth.

“I am certain you didn’t request privacy to ask me about my time in the country, Lord Asmont.” Theodore quirked a brow, his voice tinged with amusement and skepticism.

The Earl smiled in response before he said, “I received letters from my aunt telling me about the acquaintance she made with a loving couple in Essex. And after seeing you with your wife at the ball, I realized that I’d misjudged you, and owe you my sincere apologies.”

Theodore hadn’t been expecting an apology. Nevertheless, he accepted it with a nod, his expression softening slightly. “Apology accepted, Lord Asmont,” he responded, the formalities of their conversation easing into a more genuine exchange.

“You have a brilliant mind, Gillingham,” The Earl carried on, his tone respectful. “And I would be honored to partner with you.”

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