Page 77 of Her Runaway Duke
She was nearly a year now, and reached out for Levi as she always did when he was nearby.
“Papa!”
“I still do not think it’s fair that was her first word,” Sienna said, shaking her head.
“You did do most of the work.”
“I did.” She sighed. “But I must say, you are far more present in her life than most fathers are.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to believe that she loves me so much.”
“Have I not taught you anything? You are far more loveable than you would ever believe.”
“Still, I always thought she would be scared of me. Everyone is – except you.”
Siena shook her head with a small smile on her face. “Children are born to see the people they love as perfect. That’s what you are to her.”
“I hope I always will be.”
It was a concern lodged deep within him – that someday, she would realize that her father was seen by the world as a monster.
“You will,” Siena assured him. “For she knows the man you truly are. The man that I fall more in love with every day.”
Levi treasured her words, as he did his wife, who was everything he had never known he had needed. She had become pregnant shortly after they had wed, and he had spent her entire pregnancy by her side, ensuring that she had everything she needed. Even now, he had yet to be apart from her and their daughter since the birth.
“Are you sure about this?” Siena asked once more as the carriage came to a halt.
“Absolutely.”
He meant what he said as they pulled into London. He had finally decided to take his seat in the House of Lords – an action that he never would have thought possible before he had met Siena.
They arrived at the townhouse where they were going to make home for the Season. Siena herself had some trepidation, for the only time they had been in the city since she had been caught in the fire was the promised visit to return Fitz’s horse and carriage. Levi was determined not to allow any of his own nerves to show, needing to be strong to support her.
They could have stayed at Greystone, of course, but often Parliament finished so late that Siena had feared Levi riding to them at such an hour. They would, however, return when there was a break in sessions.
Thornbury had travelled ahead to prepare the house – and the staff – for them. Levi had particular needs for his injuries, injuries that would never truly go away, while he knew Siena had also asked Thornbury to ensure that the staff was prepared to not allow Levi to feel any judgement.
He loved that she had done so, even if it was unnecessary. He was prepared for whatever was to come.
Thornbury greeted them with the enthusiasm of a man who hadn’t seen them in years rather than a couple of weeks. Siena, of course, greeted each staff member by name once she was introduced, all while carrying Caroline on her hip, graciously declining when the nanny, who had accompanied them, offered to take her. Siena was a rather hands-on mother, which Levi loved her for, and it gave her purpose in her day.
By the time they had prepared for bed, he was exhausted, although most of it was from the nerves he was battling within rather than from anything he had actually experienced.
“Well?” Siena said, propping her head upon her hand. “Are you ready?”
“To take my place in the House? I believe so,” he said, staring at the beautiful, long column of her neck. “I would prefer not to be here in London, but I also think that I must do as much good as I can in this world, and the best way to do that is to use the power that I have been bestowed. So here we are.”
She leaned in and kissed him. “You will be absolutely wonderful.”
He could only hope she was right.
When Levi preparedto leave the next evening, Siena was having trouble containing the nervous energy that filled her.
She helped him dress, choosing his clothes and even tying his cravat, but when he stepped away from her toward the carriage, she knew she wouldn’t be able to remain at home for hours on end and not know what was happening.
“I’m going with you,” she announced, and he placed his hands on her upper arms.
“You cannot. Only titled men may enter the House of Lords.”
