Part 40 (2/2)
Leaning down, she brushed her lips over his. ”Fine. Wonderful. If that is what you want as well.”
”Of course it's what I want.” He laughed, then groaned, clutching his abused ribs. ”Come here.”
”Where?”
He reached for her hand. ”Here on the bed. If my mother doesn't mind us being together without the sanction of clergy, then I doubt she'll mind us sleeping here together.”
”But I might hurt you.”
”You couldn't,” he said, urging her to stretch out next to him. ”Not unless you go away again.”
Carefully, she climbed onto the bed, curling close to him. Then she kissed him again, light as a feather. ”Don't worry, my love. From this day forward, I'll be with you. I'll never go away again.”
Lying together, heads close on the pillows, they went to sleep.
Chapter 35.
”Are you certain you feel up to this? We can always go another time,” Thalia said.
Leo took up the reins from where he sat next to her in his curricle. Over the past six weeks, he'd made a remarkable recovery, his health improving quickly and steadily until only a few aches and bruises remained.
He gave her a knowing look. ”No turning coward on me now. I promised long ago to take you to Gunter's for ices and to Gunter's we shall go. Don't you want to shock the old harpies?”
”I believe we shocked everyone quite enough when I moved into your town house.”
She brushed a gloved hand over her new cerise-and-cream-striped silk afternoon dress with matching spencer and chip-straw bonnet. Now that they were as good as married in all but the eyes of the law, Leo had insisted on buying her a new wardrobe. He'd gifted her with Athena again as well as a lady's touring carriage. And lastly a diamond tiara so beautiful it had made her gasp. It was for evenings at places such as Holland House or entertainments with his family. He was pampering her in the most lavish of ways, and having lost all her former resolve, she was letting him.
Still, there were looks and mutterings wherever she went-not that that was anything new. But now that Leo was back on his feet, the sight of the two of them together would just add more kindling to the fire.
”Tilly told me the most dreadful rumor the other day. Apparently people are saying that you and Lawrence are sharing me.”
He laughed. ”Anyone with half a brain would know that was a ridiculous lie.”
”Because you and Lord Lawrence are too honorable for such lurid shenanigans?”
”No,” he said, chuckling again. ”Because I don't share!” Leaning over, he pressed his mouth to hers for a heady, heart-hammering kiss.
She kissed him back, forgetting all about the fact that they were right out on the street where anyone might see. And honestly she no longer cared. She was just too deliriously happy. Happier than she'd been in her entire life.
Her nerves were humming when he finally let her come up for air.
”Shall we continue on to Gunter's or do you want to go back inside?” he asked in a husky voice.
”Gunter's,” she said after a moment. ”Your ribs are still tender. I don't want to risk reinjuring them.”
”I could always lie quietly and let you do all the work,” he whispered into her ear. ”You've learned to do amazing things with those hands of yours. Not to mention your very clever tongue.”
She met his eyes. ”I had an excellent teacher. Now, are we going to Gunter's or not? I'm suddenly in the mood to scandalize some old tattlemongers.”
With another laugh, he flicked the reins and set the team and curricle in motion.
”One black currant ice for you, my love,” Leo said as he took the dessert from the waiter and pa.s.sed the painted china cup to her. ”And maple hazelnut for me.”
As was the custom in summer, couples remained in their carriages while they indulged their sweet tooth and took note of the others gathered to do the same.
Her head held high, Thalia ignored the frequent surrept.i.tious glances that came their way and concentrated instead on savoring the cold treat and Leo's wonderful company.
As she'd told him on that long-ago day at Tattersall's, it had been years since she'd visited Gunter's. Despite the expected disapproving looks from some haughty matrons, it was good to be back. And she realized to her surprise that she really didn't care what anyone thought. Her life was her own to do with as she liked.
She gave a little chuckle, feeling liberated.
”What is funny?” Leo asked.
”Nothing. I'm just happy. And the ice is good. I'd forgotten how delicious they are.”
”Then I am glad we came.”
She smiled and ate another spoonful.
A slight breeze rose up, the cooler air refres.h.i.+ng on a late June day. The waving feather on a lady's hat caught her eye and she glanced toward it.
That's when she noticed its wearer, a pretty young woman with pale blond curls and roses in her cheeks. She looked very young and very innocent.
Too innocent.
She frowned and looked away.
”What's wrong?” Leo asked.
”Nothing.” She ate another spoonful of her frozen black currant confection.
Leo raised a chiding brow. ”Again, what is wrong? No secrets, remember.”
Inwardly, she sighed, wondering if she should tell him. Wondering now how she could not.
She'd seen the girl a couple of weeks ago when she and Mathilda had gone shopping on Bond Street. They'd all been at the same modiste and she'd been unable to keep from overhearing two of the shop a.s.sistants discussing the ”delicious” fact that Lord Kemp's new fiancee, Lydia Duxworth, just happened to be in the dressing room right next to his former wife, Lady Thalia Lennox.
Thalia had taken pains to make sure she and Miss Duxworth did not meet that afternoon. Still, she'd observed the young woman long enough to realize that Lydia Duxworth was shy, sweet and obviously far too easily controlled by her rather domineering mother.
Money. That must be the reason for the engagement-not that Lydia necessarily realized that. Gordon could be charming when he put his mind to it. He might even have convinced young Lydia that he loved her. And perhaps some small part of him did. Still . . .
Thalia had not been the only one whose reputation had suffered due to the divorce. For years, matchmaking mothers of the Ton had steered their daughters away from Lord Kemp. However rich he might be, no respectable family wished to align itself with a divorced man. And such things as having a wife with good lineage meant a great deal to Gordon, so he had waited rather than marry beneath him.
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