by Darcy Burke
Ned watched him, worried he might fall until he remembered how fond George had been of climbing trees. When he dropped to the ground beside Ned, it was almost as if they were boys again.
“I don’t want to hide out here,” Ned said. “It’s going to rain again.” He looked up at the gray sky. It might actually stay dry, but Ned wanted to get George inside. He’d been out here for hours wearing only a shirt and a coat. “Aren’t you cold?” Ned asked, eyeing George’s red nose.
“A bit. All right, we can go back to the house. But you have to promise to play later—inside if we must.”
“I promise.” Ned realized he’d made another promise that morning, to return to his bride that night. He hoped that would be possible.
They started back toward the house and the wind picked up, rustling Ned’s hair.
“Brrr!” George exclaimed, wrapping his arms around himself. “I guess I am cold.”
Ned noticed how lucid his brother sounded. He loved these moments. “That’s what you get for going outside without being properly dressed.”
“Yes, yes,” George said, sounding exasperated. “You sound just like Nurse.”
Ned grinned, so happy to hear George remembering something. “She would’ve forbidden us from going outside today.”
“Probably. And we would’ve sneaked out anyway.”
“True.” This felt so good. So normal. Ned was tempted to tell him about Aquilla, but he hadn’t had a chance to talk to Dr. Paget yet.
“Ned, why don’t you stay here all the time?”
Ned tensed as they walked up the hill toward the house. “I have responsibilities in London that I must see too. I come home as often as I can.”
“What’s more important than me?”
“Nothing’s more important,” Ned said carefully. “I have to balance things that are equally important. Do you remember that I’m an earl?”
George stopped, the bridge of his nose creasing and his eyes narrowing slightly. “An earl?” He grew silent and stared off into the distance.
Ned stood beside him and waited a moment before continuing. “Yes, I’m an earl, and I have duties in London. But I’m hoping I can spend a little more time here, like I do in the fall and the winter. Would you like that?”
“Oh yes!” George snapped out of his contemplation—or whatever he was doing—and jerked his attention to Ned, then continued walking. “You’re staying tonight, aren’t you?”
Ned kept himself from visibly wincing, hating that he was going to disappoint someone tonight. “I should return to London, actually.”
George kicked at a rock. “Ow!” He bent over and picked it up then threw it toward the house. When he looked over at Ned, his blue-gray eyes were ice and fury.
Ned sought to smooth things over. “I’ll stay.”
“Really?” The anger faded from George’s gaze to be replaced by hope. “And we can have dinner together?”
“Of course.”
As they neared the house, a footman stationed at the back terrace rang a large bell to let everyone know that George had been found.
Dr. Paget came from the left, running. “You found him,” he said, breathless. He looked from Ned to George back to Ned again.
Ned stopped to answer his question. “Yes, he was playing a game—hiding. It will be my turn later. In the house, where it isn’t so cold.”
“Let’s go upstairs to warm up, shall we?” Dr. Paget asked, putting his hand near George’s back but not actually touching him.
George nodded. “And I’m hungry. Ned, may I have soup?”
“Of course. I’ll have it sent up immediately.”
Looking back over his shoulder as he started toward the stairs with Dr. Paget, George asked, “Are you coming too?”
“Yes, I’ll be right up.” As soon as he wrote a letter to his wife informing her he wouldn’t be home until tomorrow. He hoped she wouldn’t be terribly disappointed.
But he was.
After arranging for food to be sent up to Ned’s room and drafting his letter, he went upstairs, where George was just finishing his soup.
Dr. Paget sat at the table as well, and when Ned arrived, George regaled them both with the tale of how he’d gone on his adventure. He finished with a massive yawn and said he wanted to lie down.
“I’m not surprised, given that you were out a good portion of the night.”
George trudged into his bedchamber and fell onto the bed. Ned followed and tucked him under the coverlet. “Sleep well.”
George’s soft snores were already filling the chamber.
Ned went back to the sitting room, closing the door behind him. He looked at Dr. Paget, who’d risen from his chair. “Did you learn how he was able to leave the house undetected?”
Dr. Paget shook his head. “I tried, but he wouldn’t ever answer the question. I do know that the footman fell asleep.” A footman was always stationed outside George’s apartments.
“That’s happened before. Typically, they hear him, however.” But not always. George had gotten out a few times over the years, once going almost as far as the village.
“I’ll call a meeting with the retainers this afternoon.”
“I’d be happy to attend, if you like,” Paget offered. “Will you return to London afterward?”
“I’d planned to, but George begged me to stay.” Ned considered whether he should mention George’s temper. He didn’t wish to cast him in a bad light, but it was important for Dr. Paget to know everything. “He grew quite angry when I told him I was leaving. He threw a fist-sized rock.”
Dr. Paget frowned. “That is unfortunate.”
“Have you been talking to him about families, about my taking a wife?”
“Nothing specific, but we’ve talked about families, yes. He asked if I expected him to marry.” Dr. Paget chuckled. “He made a face and said he’d rather not.”
Ned smiled but also felt sad that his brother would be robbed of having a wife and children. “My wife is going to be disappointed that I’m not coming home tonight.”
Dr. Paget looked pained. “I’m sorry, my lord. Have you told her about George?”
“I haven’t—we were married only yesterday.”
“What will you do if she refuses to live here with him?”
“I don’t see her doing that,” he said coolly. The doctor’s questions were making him defensive.
Paget was quiet a moment before asking, “And if George rejects her? If he becomes angry or violent? I believe you’re going to have to ask yourself whom you would choose, should it ever come to that.”
Damnation.
Ned realized he was quoting his wife. How could he choose between them? “I don’t have to choose. If necessary, George can stay here, and my wife and I will remain in London.” She’d said she liked London.
But even he knew that would grow old. Furthermore, he wanted to bring Aquilla here, to the place he considered home. That meant he’d have to move George, as Aunt Susannah had suggested. Could he do that?
“I hope your wife will come to understand,” Paget said softly.
“I know she will,” Ned said, sounding far more confident than he felt. “Please continue to work with George on the idea of my having a wife.”
“I will, my lord. I appreciate your patience.”
Ned only hoped it would last.
Chapter Twelve
Aquilla could scarcely believe the number of items people had donated today. She’d hosted a meeting at her new home to collect donations for Bethlehem Hospital.
Clothing, shoes, blankets, and reading materials covered the tables lined up against the wall in the drawing room. A few of the other attendees, including Ivy, Lucy, Nora, and Lady Satterfield, had stayed behind and were helping to organize the donations.
Nora joined Aquilla where she was cataloguing the donations. The duchess’s eyes glowed with admiration. “Such a lovely meeting, Aquilla, and such a wonderful cause. I had no idea Sutton was so involved with Bethlehem.”
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br /> “It’s not something he advertises.”
“But it’s so inspiring. What was it you called him, the Duke of Deception?” Nora laughed softly. “I guess it really does fit.”
Aquilla smiled. “I wouldn’t call him deceptive.” Secretive? Yes. He’d gone to Sutton Park twice in the ten days they’d been married and hadn’t taken her with him. He’d said it was just to take care of estate business and she’d be bored. But he’d been gone overnight both times—she could think of plenty of reasons why she wouldn’t have been bored. In fact, she’d been bored here without him. Well, maybe not bored, but she’d missed him.
“No, not any more than I would call my husband the ‘forbidden’ duke.” She looked Aquilla in the eye. “Things are going well, then?”
“Yes, I think so.” Aquilla realized that sounded a bit uncertain. “They’re lovely, thank you. But then it’s only been just over a week.” That didn’t sound particularly positive either. It was the voice of her mother, quieter now, but still there in the back of her mind, reminding her to be cautious.
“Very true,” Nora said. “You’ll settle into a routine. Do you plan to take a wedding trip?”
They hadn’t discussed it. Aquilla would’ve been happy just to visit his country home. She’d also thought it might be nice if they went to Tintern Abbey in Wales, since they were both so fond of Wordsworth. “I don’t know. Did you take one?”
“Yes, Kendal took me to Brighton and then up to the Lake Country.”
Aquilla laughed. “Those aren’t adjacent.”
“Not at all. We had such a wonderful time in Brighton that we decided to take a second trip up north. We make a habit of visiting a new place every summer. The children love it.”
The duke and duchess had two small children, a boy and a girl. “What a splendid tradition.” Aquilla tried to imagine a family of her own and for the first time could almost glimpse it.
Lady Satterfield joined them and congratulated Aquilla on a successful meeting. “Have you planned a day for us to visit the hospital again?”
“Yes, I’m eager to go,” Nora said.
Aquilla was too. She hadn’t returned since marrying Ned, and she had a yellow gown to deliver. She’d repaired the gown she’d worn that day and couldn’t wait to give it to Mary. “I haven’t yet, but I’ll talk with Sutton about it today.”
“Excellent.” Lady Satterfield looked at Nora. “Are you ready, dear?”
Nora nodded. “Yes.” She leaned over and bussed Aquilla’s cheek. “We’ll see you soon.”
Lady Satterfield kissed her too and said, “I’m so proud of you.”
Aquilla could hear the pride in her voice, and thought how she’d never felt more comfortable and more secure than when she’d gone to live with Lady Satterfield.
Lady Satterfield pulled back and smiled at her. “I love you too.”
Aquilla didn’t know what to say. No one had ever told her that. She swallowed past the sudden boulder in her throat. “Thank you.”
Lady Satterfield gave a knowing, compassionate nod as if she understood that Aquilla maybe didn’t know how to say that back just yet. Aquilla embraced her quickly, and the women took their leave.
Blinking back tears, Aquilla realized she did love Lady Satterfield. It was odd to recognize an emotion you didn’t have much experience feeling.
The other attendees left shortly thereafter, except for Lucy and Ivy, who Aquilla suspected had lingered on purpose. As soon as they were alone, they rushed over to Aquilla.
“Finally!” Lucy said, grinning. “Now we can talk about you and Sutton. How is it going?”
Aquilla laughed. She’d half expected them to interrogate her. “Quite well, thank you.”
“My advice helped?” Lucy asked.
“Yes, thank you,” Aquilla said, still laughing. “But that’s all I’m going to say about that.”
Lucy laughed with her, and Ivy rolled her eyes. “I’m going to pretend I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Lucy directed an interested stare at Ivy. “Do you?”
Ivy pressed her lips together and turned to Aquilla, which piqued Aquilla’s interest. She wondered if Ivy did know what they were talking about, and if so, why? She was a companion with no plans of marriage and absolutely no prospects. It was yet another curiosity about their friend.
“You’re happy?” Ivy asked, completely ignoring Lucy’s query.
“Oh yes,” Aquilla said. “Except—never mind.” She’d been about to tell them about his going to Sutton Park and leaving her here, but didn’t want them to think there was a problem. It wasn’t a problem. Yet.
“Except what?” Lucy prompted. “You can tell us.” She darted a glance at Ivy before she could say anything. “If you want to. We’re here to support you.”
They were, and Aquilla wished she’d told them the truth about herself long ago. So why not share with them now? “Except, he’s gone to Sutton Park twice and hasn’t taken me. He even left before sunrise the morning after we were married.”
“Did he say why?” Lucy asked.
“Only that he had estate matters to take care of.”
“I think she perhaps meant why he didn’t take you,” Ivy clarified.
“He said I would be bored. But I haven’t asked him directly.” Aquilla suddenly felt foolish.
Lucy looked at her sympathetically. “I’m relatively new at this too, but I’ve learned that asking direct questions tends to provoke direct answers. Men don’t seem to be very good at offering information. At least not my husband.” She glanced toward the doorway. “Oh, I wish Nora hadn’t left already. She’s bound to have a wealth of helpful advice.”
“You’ve been helpful,” Aquilla said. She turned to Ivy to include her. “Both of you.”
Ivy waved her hand. “I’m of no use to you with marital advice outside of stay away from marriage entirely, but you ignored that, so…” She grinned to show that she was joking.
Aquilla smiled in return. “Lucy and I are both proof that marriage can happen to anyone. I’d be careful if I were you.”
Ivy shuddered. “Never, ever, never ever.”
The two friends soon took their leave, and Aquilla decided to go downstairs and see if Ned had returned from his meeting. Skern, the butler, informed her that Ned was in his office.
She made her way through the sitting room at the back of the house to his office, where the door was ajar. Placing her palm on the wood, she pushed it open and saw him seated behind his desk, which faced the doorway. He’d doffed his coat, allowing her to feast on him in his shirtsleeves.
“You’re back,” she said, leaning against the jamb and enjoying the view.
His head came up from whatever he was reading atop the desk. “I am.” His gaze raked her from head to toe, eliciting a familiar burn deep in her belly. Despite his trips to Sutton Park, they’d made good and frequent use of the marriage bed.
He stood from his chair and rounded the desk to perch on the edge. “I was just reading a letter from my aunt. Her friend in Bath is starting to recover, but she thinks she should stay another few days at least.”
Aquilla was glad to hear from Aunt Susannah. She’d left for Bath a few days after the wedding when she’d received news that a close friend was ill. “I look forward to her return.”
“As do I, although it’s been nice to have the house to ourselves.” His eyes narrowed seductively as he reached out and took her hand, then pulled her into his chest. “In fact, I was thinking that we should explore other areas of the house.”
She pressed her hand against his cravat and inhaled his spicy male fragrance that never failed to tie her in delicious knots. “What did you have in mind?”
His eyes had darkened to that shade of pewter she now associated with desire. He leaned close as if he meant to kiss her, but didn’t. The anticipation and subsequent disappointment made her heart pound and her body hum with need.
His lips curved into a lazy, seductive smile. “One mome
nt.” He let go of her and went to the door.
Aquilla was too aroused simply to wait for him, so she followed him as he closed the door and locked it. When he turned around, his eyes glinted with surprise and pleasure.
Wordlessly, he clasped her by the waist and spun her about until her back was against the door. She gasped as his body pressed into hers.
He nuzzled her neck. “Have I told you how stupid I think every other gentleman in London is?” His voice was low and dangerously seductive.
“Er, no?” She had no idea what he was talking about.
He kissed the column of her throat. Once. Twice. And then he licked her. “How any of them could believe that you aren’t interesting or intelligent is beyond me.”
She was having a difficult time following the conversation. “I was rather good at fooling them.”
“Yes.” He gently suckled at her collarbone, teasing her flesh and setting her body aflame. “And you seem quite proud of it.”
Shivers cascaded down her spine as heat pulsed to her core. “I have to admit I found it diverting at times. The Season can be so very dull. Unlike this. Which…is not.”
He chuckled against her chest as he moved lower. “I must agree. Thankfully for us both, we don’t have to suffer such tedium any longer.”
He cupped the underside of her breast and pushed it up, kissing the top of it at the edge of her bodice. “Clothes are such a nuisance sometimes,” he murmured. He loosened the tie that cinched the top of her gown and dipped his hand into her clothing. Finding her nipple, he stroked and squeezed until she cried out his name.
Smiling, he swooped up to kiss her, opening his mouth over hers to greedily devour all she had to offer. Which was everything. He’d awakened a passion she hadn’t known she possessed or even existed.
She clutched at him, one hand on his back and the other twisted into the hair at his nape. They kissed with wild fervor, her lips dragging against his and their tongues clashing.
He rotated his hips against hers, stoking her desire. She moaned into his mouth, and he tore away from her, leaving her breathless.
But he didn’t leave her—not really. He lavished kisses against her jaw and throat all while he tugged up her skirts. He found his way beneath the layers of clothing and stroked his fingertips along her bare thigh.