Page 34 of The Marquess's Final Fling
Soon they were at the front door, Williams offering up their winter wraps.
When he opened the door and a blast of winter wind rushed in, Theo told his daughters to run ahead. His coachman waited just outside. He did not leave, but regarded her butler with a speaking look.
“My lord,” Williams said in farewell, backed away and left them alone.
Theo stepped to her, wrapping the ends of his cape around her and drawing her against his solid warm body. “Thank you for today. They enjoyed your company. You are natural with them.”
“I like children,” she said about her own merits. “I just haven’t been around many often.”
“They like you.” He got that warm glimmer to his eyes that reminded her of their hours naked and panting, needing and loving each other.
She toyed with a scolding. “You are a devil to spring them on me unannounced.”
“I know. Put that down to my arrogance.”
“I will,” she said, wiggling her brows.
“To what will I put your illness?”
She sighed. Was there nothing this man did not notice about her? “I must’ve eaten something disagreeable.”
He tipped up her chin and examined her as if he were a scientist discovering a rare creature.“Go to bed.”
“I will.”
“Get better.”
She gave him half a smile and a little nod.
“Soon,” he insisted. “I have plans for us.”
She squeezed shut her eyes. “Oh, Theo. This attempt by you to make our friendship a—a—”
“A love affair?” He cupped her cheeks. His beautiful eyes promised tomorrows she must not dream of. “It is what this is. Always has been, my darling. Get well. I return day after tomorrow.”
“Theo, please.”
“The lady doth protest too much! Iamreturning. Youwillreceive me. I have things to say without Vi and Suzanna in tow.” He kissed her forehead. “I need you. I’ve needed you for twelve years.”
* * *
The next morning, he ordered a bonnet for her from a milliner in Half Moon Street. He’d seen the royal purple confection in the shop window last week. He enclosed a card that wished her a bright day and a speedy recovery from her malady.
The next day in the afternoon post, he had her reply. She was overwhelmed with his good taste and she’d take the opportunity to wear it as soon as the snow stopped. Gazing out his study window at home, he noted that the snow had stopped and he hoped he’d hear from her.
But he didn’t.
The next day, he appeared at the Fortnum and Mason shop and purchased the finest imported chocolate they had. The card he enclosed said he hoped she would try the cocoa powder soon and send him word when he might appear on her doorstep to share a cup of hot chocolate with her.
But one day went by without anything more than ‘Thank you’ scrawled on her calling card.
He told himself he was concerned. Not alarmed.
What in hell had she contracted?
That night, he did not sleep. Ghouls came to visit him, shouting outrageous insults that his two wives had uttered as they passed this mortal coil. They had never said such hideous things. But the words personified his worst fears. He could not lose Penn.
Not now. Not that they were together…or nearly so.
