Page 101 of Unseen

I frowned, looking to where he was pointing. “The… the gardens?”

“Yes, indeed.” He still would not look at me.

In that moment, I realised that it was not just I who had never been this happy, who had never felt any sort of meaningful connection with another. Azriel had pursued me, certainly, had dreamed of me, and coveted me. But now that he had me, I felt that perhaps something had happened to him that he also could not have imagined.

“Azriel.” I came to a stop, Gertie walking rushed circles around us as I looked up at my husband’s face. “It is good to be happy.”

“Is it?” He squinted at our surroundings, his brow furrowing under the brim of his hat. “Happiness is fleeting.”

“Content, then.” I took his face in my hand, and made him look at me. “Darling, you have nothing to fear.”

“I have everything to fear.” He put a hand over my own. “Dishonour is not rewarded, beloved.”

“You must stop this,” I said gently. “You, who has told me again and again that good opinions do not matter? You are now worried about dishonour?”

He took my hand in both of his, pressing it to his lips, for a very long moment. “I will do everything I can to keep you happy, as happy as you are today. I will not let it be taken from you. I swear it.”

“And I believe you.”

He took me in his arms and kissed me deeply, sweet and searing, his fingers stroking my cheek as he did. Gertie ranrings around us, wrapping the leash around our legs, and we laughed against each other’s lips as she barked at us.

“This could become a problem at night,” Azriel said, casting a smile down at the pup. “Perhaps she will have to have her sleeping quarters in with your maid.”

I giggled as we disentangled ourselves. “Yes, perhaps we shall.” I looked at him with a sigh. “Must we go to this New Year’s Eve party?”

Azriel frowned at me. “Are you not eager to get out amongst society again?”

“I am not eager to go into the snake pit and be judged by all those eyes.”

“I will not let anyone judge you,” Azriel said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as we headed back towards the house. “Besides, I am eager to show off my beautiful wife.”

I gazed up at him, and he returned my look with a smile.

“Do not worry, Evie. It will do you good to be out in society again.”

“And your business associates will not be angry at you for flouting their request to keep our marriage quiet?”

Azriel laughed, mist emanating from between his lips in the cold air. “I make them far too much money for them to be angry this long. Do not concern yourself with all this beloved.” He kissed my temple. “Think only of wearing a pretty dress and dancing until your feet hurt.”

27

THE PARTY AT THE GRANTHAMS

The door opened just as Mary fastened the diamond necklace around my neck, and I smiled at Azriel in the mirror.

“You look rather dashing,” I told him, and he cocked an eyebrow as he looked me up and down.

“And you, beloved, are a vision.”

Mary smiled over her shoulder at him. “Isn’t she, sir? The prettiest lady at the ball tonight.”

“Well there was never any doubt about that.” Azriel crossed the room, taking a red velvet box from his pocket. “And I must say, my intuition should be studied. For I knew you’d be wearing green tonight.” He stood behind me, grinning at my reflection, and held the box up in front of me. “Have a look.”

“More gifts?” I shook my head, smiling indulgently. “It was just Christmas.”

“If you think I have any intention of ever not spoiling you, beloved, then you sadly do not know me well at all.” Azriel’s smile widened, and he dropped a kiss against my bare shoulder. “The neckline of this dress is rathermarvellous.”

Gertie ran around the room, yapping loudly, and Mary scooped her up in her arms with a laugh. “Now now, little miss, it is time for your supper. Let your parents get ready for their party.” She looked at me with raised eyebrows. “Unless you still need me for something, madam?”

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