Page 103 of Temptations of a Wallflower
Laying back, I mulled over the prospect. “Why can’t we have both . . . ?”
The Highwayman’s Seduction
Jeremy was able to wait until just after he and Sarah finished breakfast. They’d slept much later than usual and drifted down to the morning room holding hands, their gazes lingering.
But not everything was exactly as it should be. There was much left uncertain. And that uncertainty lingered like a shadow in his chest.
It relieved him to see Sarah tuck into her morning meal with a good deal more enthusiasm than she’d shown for eating these past weeks. Hopefully, the hollows in her cheeks would soon fill, and the shadows beneath her eyes would disappear entirely. She was on her way, though, and smiled at him over her eggs and tea. He returned the smile, but inside, his stomach churned and his heart thudded in anticipation of what was to come. He both dreaded and embraced the ensuing confrontation. It had to be done.
As soon as Sarah drained her teacup and finished the last bite of her toasted bread, Jeremy asked, “Are you ready?”
“For what?” She lifted a brow, curious.
“There is unfinished business we must attend to.”
“Will we be together?” she wondered.
“Of course.”
“Then I’m ready,” she answered at once. “When?”
“Now.” He took her hand in his, kissing the back of it. Then he stood, still holding her. She rose, smoothed down the front of her dress, exhaled once more, then followed him from the morning room into the hallway.
“Dare I ask where we’re going?” she ventured.
“My father’s study.” At her alarmed look, he said, “Trust me.”
She gave him a slightly tremulous smile, but there was conviction in her gaze.
Jeremy directed her through the corridors, toward the back of the house. Lord Hutton preferred quiet, and many years ago had transformed a little-used parlor into his study in order to take advantage of its remote location. How like him, to isolate himself in order to strengthen his agenda. Jeremy remembered a time, not that long ago, when he’d been summoned to the study to receive commands from his father and uncle. So much had changed since then. Especially himself.
Once he might have felt trepidation to approach his father. But now, with Sarah beside him, her love and conviction gave him strength to believe in himself. No matter the consequences.
They stopped in front of the door to his father’s study. He knocked, then received the directive to enter. After taking a breath, preparing himself for what was to come, Jeremy went inside, bringing Sarah in with him.
His father sat, as usual, behind his desk as he perused a sheaf of documents. He stood and removed a pair of spectacles at Jeremy and Sarah’s entrance. Those were new. A rare concession to growing older. It startled Jeremy to realize that his father was subject to the same rules of aging as the rest of humanity, that Lord Hutton wasn’t only an earl but also a man, of fragile flesh and bone and blood.
“You woke late,” his father noted.
“We are newly wed, after all,” Jeremy answered.
His father seemed less inclined to broach the topic of marital relations today than he had been in Rotten Row so long ago.
“I’ll ring for tea,” Lord Hutton announced, striding toward the bellpull.
“We’ve just breakfasted,” Jeremy said, “so that’s unnecessary.”
“Then sit.” His father gestured toward the chairs arrayed before his desk.
Sarah did sit, but Jeremy shook his head. “I’ll stand.”
“As you like.” His father took his seat behind his desk. “But whatever it is that brings you here this morning, it needs to be discussed without delay and asexpeditiously as possible. I’ve a substantial amount of parliamentary bills to review this morning.”
“This won’t take long.” Jeremy stood beside Sarah, his hand on her shoulder. “I have to tell you something. To tell you both something. About the Lady of Dubious Quality.”
Sarah stiffened beneath his hand, and only he heard her sharp inhalation. With an unspoken question, she glanced up at him, her eyes wide.
He gazed down at her in reassurance.
