Phillip studied her face. “I cannot tell you whether Ewan loves you. The answer to that is in his heart. But I can tell you that he was far from madly in love with Lydia Malcolm.”
Thea swallowed hard. “May I ask you something else?”
“Of course.” Phillip nodded.
“Does … does Ewan have a mistress in London?”
Phillip’s crack of laughter was her first answer. “Clayton? A mistress? No. No. He’s never been the sort.”
Relief unlike anything Thea had ever known before poured through her veins. “Are you certain?”
“As certain as I can be,” Phillip assured her.
For the first time since after the Christmastide ball, hope rose in Thea’s chest. As Phillip said, it didn’t mean that Ewan loved Thea, but at least he wasn’t in love with another woman. But she still had to be certain. “Phillip, you said yourself, you can’t know what’s in his heart. Is it possible that he loved Lydia and just never mentioned her to you?”
Phillip leaned across the table and met her gaze. “I know this. I never heard him utter a word about Lydia, but after you left that morning, Thea, Ewan never stopped talking about you.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Ewan rode back to the stables that afternoon atop Midnight. Phillip was beside him riding Alabaster. Phillip had finally gone from speaking to the horse to riding him again. The duke had insisted, and Ewan was nothing but pleased with his progress.
“I spoke to Thea earlier,” Phillip said casually.
“And?” Ewan asked. He did his best to appear nonchalant, but he’d been waiting for Phillip to broach the topic ever since they’d left on their ride an hour earlier.
“And you’re both fools if you ask me.” Phillip leaned down and patted Alabaster’s neck.
“Fools? Both of us?” Ewan retorted, chuckling.
“Yes,” was Phillip’s steadfast reply.
Ewan sauntered closer. “Very well, why is Thea a fool? I’d like to know.”
Phillip lifted the reins. “Thea is a fool because she thinks you’re in love with Lydia Malcolm.”
“What?” Ewan scowled.
“Precisely.” Phillip shook his head.
“How does Thea even know about Lydia Malcolm?” Ewan asked.
“I didn’t ask her that. But she was convinced that not only were you engaged to Lydia, that you are also madly in love with the girl.”
Ewan wrinkled his nose. “Where in God’s name did Thea get that idea?”
“Where do fools get any of their ideas?” Phillip replied, a half-smile on his lips.
Ewan sighed and shook his head. “Very well, go ahead. Tell me why I’m a fool.”
“With pleasure,” Phillip continued, spurring the Arabian into the stables. “You are a fool because you haven’t told your wife how you feel about her.”
“What?” The scowl returned to Ewan’s face.
“I don’t know whether you love her. Though I suspect you do. But what does a bachelor like me know about love? I do, however, know that you couldn’t stop talking about her and moping about this house after Thea left, and I told her as much.”
“What? Why?” Ewan trotted up to the stablehand who was patiently waiting for them.
“Because she needed to hear it. Only she really needs to hear it from you,” Phillip continued.
Ewan cursed under his breath. “Damn it, Harlowe. What are you saying?”
Phillip swung himself from the horse’s back and landed on the packed earth. “I’m saying you should tell your bloody wife that you love her, you idiot!”
Later that day, after Ewan saw to the horses, he strode into the house and up to his bedchamber. After Phillip and Alabaster had returned to the stables, Ewan had ridden Midnight again for miles and miles trying to put to rights the rioting thoughts in his head. He’d got no more clarity than he’d had when he’d left, but at least he’d worn himself out.
He would bathe, dress, and hopefully have dinner with his wife. She couldn’t hide from him forever. What sort of marriage would they have? One in which they barely spoke during the day and made passionate love at night? That’s not what he wanted. Well, that wasn’t all that he wanted. He wanted the young woman who’d laughed with him, joked with him, spoken to him about her mother. He wanted Thea, all of her.
He took a steaming bath. When he emerged from the tub, he wrapped a towel around his hips. As soon as the footmen finished emptying the tub and removing it from his bedchamber, he dismissed them. A soft knock sounded on the door from Thea’s bedchamber.
“Come in,” he called.
Thea opened the door. Her eyes widened as soon as she saw his state of undress. But instead of leaving, he could have sworn he saw a twinkle in her eye. She continued walking directly toward him.
“Would you like me to come back later?” she asked.
He glanced down at his towel and then back up at her. “No. Why?” He gave her a devilish grin.
She shrugged and continued to walk toward where he stood at the foot of the bed. “Very well. I came here to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“About the fact that I’ve been an idiot,” Thea replied.
Ewan grinned at her. “That is extremely convenient.”
“Why’s that?” she asked.
“Because I was planning to talk to you about the same thing. Er, well, the fact that I’ve been an idiot, I mean.”
“Oh, good, you go first.” Thea clasped her hands together in front of her and blinked at him expectantly.
Ewan chuckled. “No. No. Ladies first, of course.” Despite his state of undress, he bowed to her.
Lydia nodded. “Very well. I spoke with Phillip today and he told me that you aren’t in love with Lady Lydia Malcolm.”
Ewan frowned. “Yes, he mentioned it. But I must ask, why would you think I was in love with Lydia? How did you even know about Lydia?”
Thea blushed. “I was … well, you see … I was listening outside your study door the morning Father came after the story about us appeared in the paper. I heard you say you’d need to cry off from your fiancée.”
Ewan expelled his breath. “I was never actually betrothed to Lydia.”
“Yes, but you had an understanding with her father, did you not?”
“That’s true. But love was certainly never part it.”
Thea turned away from him. “I didn’t know that. I thought perhaps you had affection for her at the least and were madly in love with her at the most.”
Ewan sighed. “Did you ever think to ask me?”
Thea whirled to face him again. “That is precisely why I’m an idiot. I’ve been racked with guilt, all these weeks. Ever since I showed up in your stables and broke my leg. It’s all been my fault. All of it. If I hadn’t been sneaking around, you never would have been forced to marry me.”
Ewan crossed his bare feet together at the ankles. “You’re forgetting that you initially refused to marry me, and we weren’t forced into it until I arrived at your home and kissed you in the sitting room.”
“I only knew I thought you wanted Lydia. Until Phillip told me the truth.” Thea’s voice was tentative.
Ewan winced. “What exactly did Phillip tell you?”
“He told me that you missed me, you talked about me, you wished I hadn’t gone.” She blushed. “He said you never spoke of Lydia.”
Ewan put a hand on his hip. “That is true. Lydia’s father is well-connected. I thought of the match as a political decision. I suppose I was angry when the story first appeared in the papers because my ambition was about to be thwarted and that had never happened to me before. That’s why I mentioned it to your father that day. But Thea, you must believe me when I tell you that I’ve long since discovered that ambition is nothing compared to … love.”
Thea sucked in her breath. “Love?”
Ewan nodded and a lock of wet hair fell over one eye. He brushed it aside. “Before I met you, I never even guessed that I could m
arry for love, I—”
“What did you just say?” She swallowed.
“Damn it, Thea. I might as well admit it. I think I’ve been in love with you since the day you arrived on my doorstep and tried to convince me to sell you my horse.”
She shook her head vehemently. “No. That cannot be. I was a selfish monster the entire time.”
“Yes, you were. But how much better have I behaved? I may have taken you in and helped you with your leg, but it’s not as if I was ignorant about the potential for scandal. I knew as well as you did that it could end the way it did.”
“But … you disliked me. I know you did,” she countered.
“Perhaps, at first.” He chuckled. “But I’d never met anyone like you before. You knew what you wanted, and you were so confident and certain of yourself. When you started sneaking into my stables, I couldn’t believe your audacity. When Bell came to visit, he told me it sounded as if I was in love. I couldn’t disagree. That’s why I came to your Christmastide ball.”
Thea’s hand flew to her throat. “That’s why?”
“I missed you. I had to see you.” Ewan turned and paced away from her. “You asked me once what I thought of you that first day. You were stubborn, yes, but I also thought you were magnificent. Magnificent and gorgeous, so like the horse you were so desperate to win.” He turned back toward her and stepping forward, he pulled her into his arms and stared down into her eyes. “I’ve always thought you were magnificent, Thea. And I always will.” He kissed her deeply.
After Ewan’s lips finally left hers, Thea said softly. “My father isn’t particularly well connected in Parliament.
Ewan nuzzled at her ear. “It doesn’t matter. I love you madly.”
Thea closed her eyes and leaned her head back. “I love you too, Ewan.”
He pulled away from her to watch her face. “You don’t have to say that if you don’t mean it.”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that. I think I fell in love with you when you were so nice to me after I broke my leg. You could have called the constable, you could have sent me away, instead you treated me as a true guest, a friend even. You brought me the wheelchair and asked me about myself. But when I went back home, I realized the truth of how I felt about you. I was just too blindly stubborn to admit that being stubborn can cost you something you dearly love if you’re not careful. I was so certain Father didn’t want the best for me. I never even stopped to consider what I thought was the best for me. But the last thing I wanted to do was to force you into a marriage you didn’t want. I would run away first.”
“Yes, your father mentioned that to me in his letter. But don’t think too poorly of your father, my darling. The morning we were married he admitted to me that he’d insisted you stay at my house with your broken leg because he hoped we’d make a match.”
“What?” Thea’s mouth fell open. “Of all the despicable— He thought the only way to make a man want me would be to stick me under his roof for weeks?”
“Something like that,” Ewan allowed with a grin. “But it worked, didn’t it?”
Laughing, Thea leaned up on tiptoes, wrapped her arms around Ewan’s neck and kissed him again. “Hmm. You’re right. Perhaps Father isn’t all bad after all. I’ll have to thank him next time I see him, I suppose.”
Ewan squeezed her against his nearly naked body. “Let’s not make plans quite so soon. He told me he hoped a grandchild would be on the way the next time he saw either of us. I’d like to accommodate him.”
Thea gasped. “He didn’t say that!”
“He most certainly did.”
Thea shook her head. “Why, that scheming man. I had no idea he’d planned the whole thing.”
“Well, he didn’t plan the bit about me winning the horse auction. I suppose I’ll just have to always wonder whether you only married me for one reason and one reason only.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “My horse.”
Thea burst out laughing. “You rogue. I did no such thing. I would have scrimped and saved for years to purchase that horse. But once I saw how happy Alabaster made Phillip, I knew I had to leave them together.”
“On the contrary,” Ewan said, kissing Thea on the neck, “Phillip gave him to us as a wedding gift.”
Thea tilted her head to the side to allow him better access. “He didn’t need to do that.”
“I told him the same thing, but he insisted,” Ewan continued, trailing his lips down to her decolletage.
Thea’s breath was coming in short pants. Her eyes closed. “Well, he can certainly visit and ride him as much as he chooses.”
“I agree, my love.” Ewan’s was already unbuttoning the back of her gown. “Now. If you’d like, let me show you how to ride me.”
“Ooh, I love the sound of that.”
Chapter Forty-Four
The next afternoon, Ewan, Thea, and Phillip were having tea in one of the sitting rooms. The newly married couple had just finished thanking Phillip for his generous wedding gift of Alabaster. They’d also just finished informing Phillip that thanks to him calling them both fools, they’d talked and were quite happy together and madly in love with each other.
“I owe you both far more than a horse and some well-timed advice,” Phillip replied.
“You owe us nothing,” Ewan declared.
“I quite agree.” Thea nodded and wrapped one arm around her husband’s broad shoulders.
Before Phillip could reply, the door to the sitting room opened and Beau Bellham strode inside.
Ewan glanced up. “Good afternoon, Bell. We were wondering where you’d got off to.” Ewan rose from his seat and shook the marquess’s hand.
“I’ve been quite busy today,” Bell replied, bowing to Thea and paying his respects, before exchanging pleasantries with Phillip as well.
“Oh, really,” Ewan replied. He’d made his way to the sideboard where he was pouring a brandy for his friend. “Doing what?”
Bell took the glass that Ewan offered him. “I’ve solved one of our two mysteries.”
“Two mysteries?” Thea repeated, blinking.
“Yes,” Bell replied. “The first was the identity of the culprit who provided the story of you staying here to the Times, Lady Thea.”
Thea leaned forward in her seat. “You know the answer to that? Do tell. The truth is I’ve believed for months it was Rosalie, the house maid.”
“If it was Rosalie, she shall be sacked immediately,” Ewan clipped.
“It wasn’t Rosalie,” Bell said with a grin. “My sources told me it was Lord Theodore Harding.”
“Uncle Teddy!” Thea nearly shouted. “Are you certain?”
“Certain as I can be,” Bell replied, taking a sip from his glass.
Thea tapped her cheek with one finger. “Why, Uncle Teddy didn’t even know I was here until … right before the story came out in the paper,” she finished, irritation with her uncle growing by the moment. “Why in the world would my own uncle do that to me?”
“I took the liberty of visiting him at your father’s house this morning and asking him that very question, my lady,” Bell replied.
Ewan looked at Thea and shrugged. “What can I say? Bell is a thorough spy.”
Thea gave Bell a wary glance. “What did Uncle Teddy say?”
“He told me that you’d taken far too long to find a husband and that your father had written him telling him that your stay here was the best chance you had to make a decent match at last and if you should write him and ask him to come fetch you, Teddy should refuse.”
“My father told him that? What in the world!” Thea shook her head. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.”
“I told you he wanted us together, darling,” Ewan said, placing his hand on Thea’s shoulder.
Thea covered Ewan’s hand with hers. “Yes, I knew it, but I’d no idea he’d written to Uncle Teddy. The man has no shame.”
“I’d say your uncle is the one without shame,” Bell continued. “Appar
ently, it was entirely his idea to involve the papers. He thought that would seal the deal for certain.”
Thea’s mouth formed a wide O. “I cannot believe—”
“Don’t be too angry with them, Thea,” Phillip said to her with a laugh. “In the end it’s worked out splendidly and that’s what matters.”
Thea sighed. “I suppose you’re right. But don’t think my uncle won’t hear an earful the next time I see him.”
“I would expect nothing less from you, darling,” Ewan said, leaning over and kissing her soundly on the cheek.
Thea hugged Ewan before turning back to face Bell. “You mentioned two mysteries, Lord Bellingham. What’s the second one?”
“I’m afraid the second one may have to do with me,” Phillip interjected.
“Oh? What don’t I know?” Thea asked, turning to her look at her friend.
“That’s why Bell is here,” Ewan continued. “In addition to attending the wedding, I asked him to come so we could make our final plans for Phillip’s return to Society.”
Thea searched Phillip’s face. “You’re feeling strong enough to return to Society? To take your rightful place?”
“Yes.” Phillip nodded. “I am finally feeling strong enough. Thanks to you and Clayton … and Alabaster, my lady.”
Thea squeezed her friend’s hand. “You did the most difficult part, Phillip.”
“Yes, well, I’m afraid there will be more difficulty ahead,” Bell said ominously.
“I’m certain it will be difficult for you, Phillip,” Thea continued. “What with your brother dying so suddenly. Being the duke is not something you’d ever planned, I’m certain.”
“Yes well, that’s just it,” Phillip replied, exchanging a fraught glance with the other two men.
Thea furrowed her brow. Her gaze jumped between all three of the others. “What? What are you not telling me?”
Phillip took a deep breath and clapped his hands over his knees. “Bell and Clayton here don’t believe my brother died suddenly.”
Save a Horse, Ride a Viscount Page 20