Lord Harrow's Heart

by Susan M. Baganz

Murry tipped his hat, nodded his head, and with a cheeky grin he was off. She thought she heard him say, “About time someone talked some sense around here.”

  Valeria took in the torn clothes, missing boot, and absent cravat. Theo’s face was pale underneath the sun-kissed cheeks. “Take him to his room, men.” She turned and led the way.

  ~*~

  The pain in Theo’s leg radiated through his entire body. Every inch of him ached from his tumble and all the steps he tried to take to make it home. It was humbling to be found sprawled in the grass, almost passed out from the heat and the pain when Murry and the stable hands came upon him. Trying to get up on to the back of a horse had been pure torture, as was holding on to the smaller man, and his faith.

  Valeria took charge and he finally let himself escape the pain into blackness. She had cared for him with influenza and pneumonia. He could trust her even more so now that their present and future were permanently intertwined. When he awoke later his thigh had been splinted. He whimpered as he tried to move.

  “Be still, Theo. You have bruises everywhere and your leg needs time to heal.”

  “Definitely broken then. I thought so.”

  “It was foolish to have tried to walk back home in your condition.”

  “I couldn’t stay next to Zeus. I feared someone might use me for target practice.”

  Valeria frowned. “Murry told me he was a magnificent stallion and one you made good money off of for stud. I’m sorry he died, Theo.”

  Theo shook his head. “He was something to behold. Big. Strong. Wonderful temperament and so responsive. Fast. Many a thoroughbred came from him.” Theo sighed. “Better him than me though. I have other horses—you only have one husband.”

  Her eyes were damp as they looked to him. “I’m glad you survived. So very glad. I’ve become quite fond of my husband.”

  He reached a hand out. She reached and he held her hand tight. “I’m fond of my wife too. Matter of fact, I have it on good authority that her kisses are a restorative.”

  Valeria’s eyebrows went up. “Really? And just who may this authority be?”

  “Why, Dartanian, of course. He has told me how you have kissed his scratches and bruises and how much better he felt and how fast he healed.”

  She eyed him suspiciously as she nodded. “That may be due to a mother’s kisses being potent for children and you, my lord, are most definitely not mon enfant.”

  Theo pouted. “I thought that since you were a wife that made them especially potent.”

  Valeria grinned. “Perhaps they do. Maybe that is something we should test. All for the benefit of science, of course.”

  “Well, of course, my lady. And the sake of medicine as well. We would not want to inhibit progress there.”

  “Entirely altruistic, of course.” She grinned as she stood.

  “Where are you going?” Theo asked as her hand slipped out of his.

  “I’m sending Watkins to assist in caring for your more personal needs.”

  “What about testing our hypothesis?”

  Valeria winked at him. “Perhaps later, if you deem you are truly in need of that kind of pain relief.”

  With that, Theo watched her hips sway as she walked to the door and closed it behind her. He closed his eyes. What was he doing flirting with his wife? Now? At a time when he was totally unable to pursue the marriage bed? He grinned to himself. Maybe this would give him the time to court his wife properly and get comfortable and less afraid of exposing his inexperience to her when the time finally came? He certainly hoped so.

  16

  After Watkins departed, Theo was left trying to remember what happened to bring him to this impasse. Could Lord Wolton or one of his minions be seeking to eliminate him to gain Valeria? He drew comfort from the fact that he had made his will clear in what would be provided to his widow and to her son.

  Should anything happen to him, and regardless of what happened to Dartanian’s estate, the young Lord Diamonte would have the resources to live life as a titled man should, even if he lost the property. There were always more coming on the market from destitute personages. Dartanian also had his own property that had been burnt and could always be rebuilt. He would need to discuss that with Valeria soon.

  Valeria returned after dinner and he patted the mattress next to him to invite her to sit there.

  “I do not want to add to your pain,” she protested.

  “It will hurt me more to have you distant from me, my lady.” He grinned as he grabbed her hand and tugged until she was sitting next to him.

  “Are you well, Theo? You appear flushed. Did you get too much sun this morning?” Her free hand gently caressed his forehead and a finger trailed down his nose. When it came to his lips he kissed it.

  She pulled her finger away.

  “Alas, my dear wife, I am unwell and in need of some medicine only you can administer.” He was being dramatic.

  Valeria had a serious look on her face. “Well, the doctor did say laudanum would be acceptable if brandy was not sufficient to numb your pain. Which shall it be?”

  “I would prefer the brandy to the opiate and I would rather your kisses to either.”

  “The doctor did not order kisses as a part of your rehabilitation.” Valeria frowned.

  “Ah, but remember, my dear, we are conducting research on the theory that kisses have a restorative and healing effect on an injured person.” Theo winked at her.

  She sighed and shook her head. “Well, I suppose if it is for the purposes of science we could give it a try.” She leaned forward, and like a feather, her lips brushed his. She leaned back. “There. Did that help?”

  Theo scowled. “Most certainly not a sufficient dose given the gravity of my injuries.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Really? Well, I must try harder.” This time she leaned forward and placed her hands on his chest to keep her from falling on him. Her lips met in a firm and demanding way and instantly Theo’s entire body was aflame. He returned the kisses and when she finally withdrew he was short of breath.

  She was breathing heavy as well. “Restored yet, my lord?” Her voice came out breathy and low.

  Theo was experiencing a dream. “Several hours of that kind of medicine and I will be well in no time, I assure you.” He grinned at her, brought one hand off his chest, and placed a kiss in the palm. Closing her fingers around it he placed it in her lap. “Stay with me tonight.”

  Her eyes grew wide and the other hand went to cover her heart. “Is this part of the experiment?”

  “No, Lady Harrow. This is part of marriage.” He grabbed the elbow closest to him and pulled her to him. With both hands, he cupped her cheeks and brought her down for another sizzling kiss. When he broke it off, she was nose to nose with him.

  “Yes, Theo. I will stay the night.” She gave him a small smile, and then rose.

  Theo chilled as she walked away from him. The fire was burning merrily in the hearth and the windows were closed, even though it was a relatively warm evening. He drew the blankets up higher over his chest and tried to get warm, but it wasn’t until a short while later when his wife, his wife, entered the room dressed in a gown that highlighted her curves and hinted at the wonders beneath. The warmth returned when she slipped under the covers. He drew her close and allowed his fingers the freedom to trail through the creamy silk of her long hair. He pulled her close and fell asleep quite content, all pain forgotten.

  ~*~

  Valeria awoke the next morning disoriented. She was holding a large, warm body. Her eyes opened, and she gazed up into Theo’s resting face. He snored softly. She kissed his cheek and his arm tightened around her, pulling her closer. Her hand rested on his chest and his heart pounded, steady and strong, beating just a bit faster. She smiled to herself.

  “I could get used to this,” a low voice whispered.

  “Used to a broken leg?” She stifled a giggle.

  He chuckled deep in his chest. “No, sweetheart, having you snuggl
ed against me every night.”

  “Oh?”

  “That’s all you have to say? Oh?”

  “Well, I personally would like to do more than snuggle.”

  “You would? And what activity do you propose? Before you answer, realize I have a strong dislike for bread crumbs in my bed.”

  “Well, that takes away my first option. I am quite hungry.” She grinned as she tucked her head in close to his chest and inhaled his scent.

  “Do you have an appetite for anything in particular?” Theo said sleepily.

  “Most definitely.”

  “And what would that be? Would you care to share?”

  “I have an appetite for you, Theodore, Marquess of Harrow. I am loathe to share you with anyone.”

  His hand came under her chin and lifted her face until she could see his own. She grinned at him and his hazel eyes were the green of a storm-tossed sea. She drowned in their depths. “I refuse to share you with anyone either, my lady.” His lips met hers in a tantalizingly light kiss. He released her head and let his sink into his pillow.

  “Theo?”

  “Hmmmm?” His eyes closed.

  “I’m still hungry.” She pouted.

  “Help yourself to all you want,” were the teasing words whispered huskily.

  “I think I shall.” She pulled herself up to be able to look down on his face, a face that became dearer to her with each passing day. She leaned in and kissed him deeply and he responded with passion. Her hair flowed down around their faces.

  Theo reached up to pet it and also massage her back with one of his hands.

  The more she tasted of him, the more she wanted.

  “Ahem.” The male voice broke into the haze of passion she was experiencing in Theo’s arms. She pulled away and glanced into Theo’s eyes.

  His lips quirked in amusement. “Watkins, my wife tells me she is hungry. Please have breakfast brought up here for us this morning.”

  “As you wish, my lord.” The door closed behind the valet.

  Valeria bit back her own grin. She was grateful that her hair precluded the valet from seeing how warm her face had become. She was especially grateful that she had donned her modest nightgown rather than the more seductive one that had been given to her as a wedding gift from Elizabeth.

  With Theo’s injury, acting on any urges regarding consummation would be painful at present. Maybe the snuggling and kissing would open the door for further intimacies as he recovered.

  Theo put a hand behind her head and pulled her back down. “Now, where were we?”

  ~*~

  After breakfast in bed, where Valeria accommodated him by licking any errant crumbs off his face, she left to dress and prepare for the day.

  Theo’s leg throbbed painfully now that he was not distracted by his lovely wife.

  He tolerated the ministrations of his valet as he was shaved and clothed so as not to spend the entire day in his bed. A sturdier crutch was unearthed in the attics from some previous injury of someone at some time in the ancient past. The crutch was too short for him—but it at least allowed him some stability.

  Theo managed to make it to his study and sit at his desk to write some letters to his friends, relating to them the recent attack and asking for help in tracking down Lord Wolton. He suspected that evil man to be a potential threat to his newly married life and did not want to jeopardize Valeria or Dartanian in any way possible.

  A week passed where they fell into a relatively peaceful routine. Theo worked in his office and consulted with his steward.

  Valeria took inventory in the house and spent time with Dartanian.

  Evenings were spent with Valeria in his arms and a deep sense of contentment he never thought would be possible.

  A knock on the door went unanswered one day so Theo hobbled to the entryway to greet whoever deigned to visit them. He opened the door to find a travel-weary Sir Michael Tidley. “Come in, Michael. I’m not sure where Wiggins is at the moment.”

  “Theo, I wish I could say married life suits you but if she’s beating you this badly,” Michael pointed to his crutch and splinted leg, “I’m glad I got here in time.” The grin gave way the humor.

  Theo reached out to give his friend a fist to the shoulder. The movement knocked him off balance and he almost fell to the floor, rescued by Michael.

  “Come, let us talk before I head up to a room to wash my dirt off and greet your lovely bride.”

  With Michael’s help, they managed to go back to the study and the door shut behind them.

  “Would you like something to drink?” Theo offered.

  “I will help myself. You. Sit.” He pointed to a leather chair. “Can I get you anything?”

  “Not at the moment. Thank you.” Theo lowered himself to the chair and leaned back, biting back a groan at the throbbing pain his movements caused. “Are you here with regards to the letter I sent?”

  “Letter? No. The wives were filled with foreboding shortly after you left. Beth was especially anxious knowing that Lord Wolton was still at large. Phillip is bringing Beth and Katrina and the kids with them here, and Marcus and Josie have gone to London to enlist help there in tracking Wolton.” Michael came to sit down across from Theo and pointed to the leg. “Is that courtesy of our missing nemesis or the product of abject clumsiness?”

  Theo grinned. He was overcome with gratitude at the care his friends had for him and Valeria. “A week ago, I went for a ride, and no, I was not drunk this time. On my return home Zeus got shot out from under me. I broke my leg when he fell.”

  “He was a beautiful stallion. I’m sorry, Theo. Did you need to finish him off?”

  Theo nodded. “I couldn’t hide behind him and protect myself while he was in pain. Even if it made me a target, I couldn’t let him suffer.”

  “So, the leg broke but there have been no more incidents? Could it have been a poacher?”

  “We’ve never had problems with poachers on the land. We’ve allowed tenants the opportunity to hunt when they need to. You’ve seen Zeus. There was no way he would have been mistaken for wildlife.” Theo steepled his hands in front of his face, tapping his nose with his fingers. “The day after it happened I sent letters out to you and the rest asking for your assistance. I need to make sure Valeria and Dartanian stay safe, but I’m hindered in my ability to do that. As a precaution, they have been kept inside, but I’m not fooling myself that the next attack could come from within these walls.”

  Michael smiled. “God knew you were going to need help and sent us before you could even ask.”

  “He can do that?” Theo hadn’t thought of God in those terms before.

  “He had me marry Katrina when I didn’t even realize that was what I had been wanting all along.”

  “Well…”

  “Yeah, I know. I didn’t want her. Then I did. Then I didn’t. Then I couldn’t remember and married her. Then I remembered and was angry and God brought me back to what I had really wanted all along—Katrina. I was such an idiot.”

  “Buffleheaded idiot,” Theo whispered to himself as he closed his eyes and groaned.

  “What did you say?” Michael’s voice held a tinge of a threat to it.

  “Only talking to myself. You were not an idiot, by the way. You were definitely put in some difficult challenges with the Black Diamond.”

  “Hard to believe he’s been banished from Britain.”

  “Do you think he will stay away, if he has even survived? Will this be the last we hear of him?”

  Michael shrugged. “I would hope so, but he was determined. I wouldn’t put it past him to return again on our shores.” He took a sip of his amber drink. “I refuse to lose sleep over it. God has been with us so far. I believe we can trust him for the future as well.”

  “Is that not a bit foolish, Michael?”

  “What are you afraid of, Theo?” Michael arched an eyebrow and nailed him with his unwavering gaze.

  Theo wished he could get up and pace. He massaged
his injured thigh instead, finding some twisted comfort in the pain. “It hit me after I got home that Valeria could have been made a widow.”

  “You provided for her and Dartanian and any unborn children in your will?”

  “There are no unborn children to worry about yet.”

  “It would be too soon to know, of course.”

  “There’s no chance of her being enceinte, Michael. Immaculate conception has only ever occurred once in history.”

  “You wanted her so badly and you still haven’t…?”

  Theo frowned and waved a hand at Michael. He didn’t want to talk about this.

  Then why did you bring it up?

  Because I’m scared and need assurance I’ll be fine.

  And you think Michael is the man to give that to you?

  I don’t know!

  “So, you have provided for her and Dartanian, what is the problem?”

  “I cannot protect them from Lord Wolton or the Black Diamond’s minions if I am dead.”

  Michael didn’t respond to that. He looked off in the distance then turned his gaze to his drink. “In some ways, Theo, that would be my deepest fear. I would hate not being there for my family when they would need me the most. I’m a man. It’s my job. It’s why I gave up working for the government. I couldn’t take those kinds of risks anymore. I remind myself that God loves my family more than I do and that He would somehow work things out. Maybe not the same as if I were here, and they would be grief-stricken but well. Remember, you have friends, Theo. Should anything happen to you we would do everything in our power to help Valeria and Dartanian, if she would let us.”

  “That eases my mind.”

  “I think I’ll go wash the dirt off. I’ll see you and your lovely bride for dinner.” Michael rose and left his glass on the drink table. He walked to the door, and then stopped and looked at Theo. “Do you need help getting up to your rooms?”

  Theo sighed. “Yes. I can manage on my own, but having you around guarantees I would stumble and prove myself incapable. If we can skip that humiliation I would be grateful.”

  Michael laughed and came over to help Theo up the stairs.

  Once the bedroom door was closed, Theo took the last steps to his bed and threw himself upon it.