Page 86 of An Unwanted Widow for the Duke
Gerard picked up one of the loose sheets to her right, the one on which the ink had just dried. He read it, chuckling as he did.
“You write very well, Mina. No wonder everyone is desperate to uncover your identity,” he praised.
She flushed with delight. “I know you resented us for publishing your son’s letter, and that you don’t like gossip sheets as a whole.”
“I don’t,” he confirmed, carefully putting back the page on her desk. “But the column seems to have helped Hector. It also helped us. We would not have met if it weren’t for it.”
It was true. They might have met elsewhere, at balls or other events, but it would not have been the same. Gerard would not have opened up the way he was doing now. However, neither pointed it out.
“It’s a secret,” Wilhelmina said softly, although she knew that he would never betray her trust, especially now that her name was linked to his.
“I won’t tell a soul,” Gerard promised, reaching out to tuck a loose strand behind her ear. His fingertips stroked her hair down to where it fell around her shoulders. “You know that your secret is safe with me, Mina.”
He’d called her by her nickname a few times now, and every time, he spoke it with subtle emotion. Which was more than enough, coming from him.
Things had changed after they had consummated their marriage, but Wilhelmina didn’t want to be presumptuous. She still waited for him to open the adjoining door and step through it.
“Goodnight, Lady Silverquill,” he whispered, planting a kiss on her hand.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Do you really want to go?” Wilhelmina asked Gerard. “I mean, it might not be necessary unless?—”
It was obvious that she was excited about their little trip, but she was still mindful of his feelings, and he appreciated it.
It was his idea. Well, he asked if they might visit theGazetteer,since they had not been there as a married couple.
“What’s wrong with it?” he asked innocently. “Of course, I want to go.”
“What’s the matter? Aren’t we a band of criminals that we must visit when the sun is about to set? You are fortunate that Mr. Finch leaves at a late hour. The place is his life’s blood.”
Gerard could appreciate a man who loved his work enough to give it most of his time. He had been like that most of his life, buthis reasons might be less noble. There was truly not much in his life, aside from managing his estate.
“Not criminals,” he reassured her, handing her into the carriage. “We are merely being cautious, aren’t we? We don’t want any wagging tongues talking about you possibly being the pen behind the notorious column.”
Wilhelmina gave him a mock frown when he said the word ‘notorious.’ He smiled at her, holding her hand a little longer than necessary.
Meanwhile, Hector didn’t want anyone to help him up. He clambered into the carriage after his stepmother, his face flushed not only because of the crisp evening air but also from the excitement of yet another adventure.
Gerard had to admit that Wilhelmina’s methods were working. Hector was behaving much better.
“I like it!” the boy declared as he settled into his seat. “It’s like a scene from one of the books you read for me, Your Grace. Should we set a different watchword or secret knock?”
Gerard climbed last, sitting opposite his wife and son. He planted his feet on the floor, holding himself up with ease against the rocking of the carriage.
“Perhaps we can use my walking stick. Three raps on Mr. Finch’s door. Don’t look horrified, Mina. Your publisher and I have an understanding now.”
He knew the importance of adding some play to their activities. It kept his son alert and happy.
“Are you certain?” Wilhelmina asked. She was pretending to be skeptical, but he could see through the mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “He is terrified of you, Duke.”
He could not help but frown. His wife was still formal with him except in bed, and he had not warmed her bed since that first time. It was not for lack of desire; it was for lack of control.
“He should be,” he replied dryly. “I’m not carrying old grudges, though, and I want him to see that in person. He was merely doing his job. I admire that in him. I am also grateful that he has taken a chance on you.”
Hector didn’t care much for the conversation between his father and stepmother. He was impatiently peering through the small window at the streets blurring past like shadows.
“Will there be a new issue, Duchess?” Hector asked.
