Her Brooding Duke (The Worthington Legacy #7)

Chapter Twenty

T revor now walked with a bounce in his step. Happiness flourished in his chest as he headed for the nursery the next day. Spending time with the children was foremost on his mind. Seeing Louisa came in at a close second.

He didn’t know at what point he’d begun to have tender feelings for her, but each day, these feelings expanded, and although he still hesitated to think of the L word, he did care for her and couldn’t imagine what his life would be like without seeing her on a daily basis. She had opened his eyes to many things since that first day, and it surprised him even now as to how blind he’d been. How foolish. But no more. He now had the courage to become the man he’d always wanted to be.

Trusting.

Loving.

And understanding.

Reaching the nursery, he stopped and smoothed his palms down his waistcoat and adjusted his cravat before softly opening the door. Thankfully, the twins were awake. Louisa sat on the floor in back of Amanda as she brushed his daughter’s —how he loved thinking this now—hair. All three of them looked up at him, and all three smiled.

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked.

“Of course not, Your Grace. Do not be silly.” Louisa tied the ribbon in Amanda’s hair and stood. “You are very welcome to come in the nursery any time you please.”

“What I would like to do right now,” he said, bending and scooping up his children, “is to take my favorite people on a drive with me.”

At first, the expressions on Adam and Amanda’s face were of fright, but as soon as he settled them in each arm, they grinned and hugged him tight. Tears stung his eyes, but he blinked to keep them away. Now was not the time to become so emotional. In private was when he’d do this, but definitely not in front of Louisa or his children.

He looked at her and winked. “Does that sound pleasing to you?”

“You… you wish me to go riding with you?”

“Of course. You are the children’s nursemaid, are you not?”

She chuckled. “Yes, I am.”

“Then collect the wraps and I shall summon the carriage.”

He set the twins down and they scampered to find their wraps. Louisa stood still, her gaze didn’t waver as she looked upon him with a face glowing with happiness. Stepping closer, he dropped his eyes to her parted lips. More than anything he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her. But since they were in front of the children, he didn’t dare show such affection toward a servant.

He cupped the side of her face, and she snuggled against his palm, closing her eyes. The peaceful expression on her face made her look like an angel. How could he resist something so beautiful? So tempting?

Plain and simple, he couldn’t.

He dropped his lips to hers, brushing them ever so softly across her mouth. A gasp sprang from her first, then ended with a moan as she wrapped her arms around his middle.

This kiss was as uplifting as their last had been, and he wanted to devour her fully. Fortunately, the giggles of his children stopped him from going any farther. He broke the kiss, but didn’t pull away. Instead he rested his forehead against her. Breathing in her rose scent, he was content to stay this way for a moment longer.

“What was that for?” she asked.

“For… for being so wonderful.”

She hiccupped a laugh. “No, Your Grace, you are the one who is wonderful.”

“Trevor—if you please.”

She smiled and sighed. “Trevor.”

He rubbed his cheek against hers before placing one last kiss on her mouth. “Now, perhaps I should leave so you can ready the children.” He stepped closer to the door. “I fear if I stay any longer I will be tempted to hold you longer.”

Louisa’s cheeks turned an adorable pink. “I shall have them ready very soon.”

“Splendid.” He winked, turned, and hurried out of the room.

He practically skipped down the stairs, whistling… something he hadn’t done in quite a long time. The servants stopped and looked at him with wide eyes and grins. Apparently they noticed his new attitude as well. He chuckled and loved the newfound emotion expanding inside his chest.

Finally, he would feel like he had his very own family.

Ten minutes later, they were all settled in the opened landau and heading toward their destination. Louisa sat across from him by Amanda, and Adam sat next to Trevor. Excitement beamed on the twins’ glowing faces. They pointed and laughed at the lovely landscape. It surprised him how much they knew, but when they started naming flowers, it shocked him even more. By the conversation between Louisa and the children, he concluded she had taught them. Her eyes danced with happiness as she helped them pronounce the flowers’ names.

Green Park was first on Trevor’s agenda for this afternoon, mainly so his children could see the animals, pet them, and perhaps get a cup of fresh milk. As a youngster, his mother had taken him here. Never his father, though. Trevor’s sire was too busy sleeping off his nocturnal activities.

As Trevor walked through the park beside Louisa, each child held one of their hands. Not many people were out this afternoon, but the few who were gave Trevor judgmental stares—especially when noticing how closely he walked beside Louisa. Anger rose inside him and he wanted to tell them to mind their own business. Even Louisa fidgeted as if uncomfortable, but she said nothing. He didn’t want anything to ruin their outing, so he put his anger behind him and continued with their walk.

Louisa helped the children name each animal, then she asked Adam and Amanda what sound each animal made. It amazed him how intelligent the twins were which of course made him puff his chest, proud of his children’s accomplishments at such a young age.

After their walk through Green Park, he took them to Bond Street. The streets were much busier, but he brought them here because he wanted to purchase a gift for the children. As much as he wanted to get Louisa something special, he knew that wouldn’t be proper… and the gossip circles would stir to life with that tidbit.

The driver stopped the landau and opened the door for Trevor. Once he was out, he turned and helped the children down, then reached a hand for Louisa. As before, her cheeks reddened, and she shyly looked away, but allowed his assistance. Immediately, Adam grasped Trevor’s hand and Amanda the other. This time when they walked, Louisa walked a few steps behind. He really wanted her by his side, but knew it was best this way.

As they passed a shop window filled with pastries, Adam pulled away and stopped in front, pressing his nose to the glass. Trevor grinned. He recalled doing this very thing when he was a lad.

Amanda released his hand and stood by her brother, admiring the tarts in the window. “Papa?” she asked. “Peez, have one?”

“Of course, my dear.”

He glanced at Louisa to ask if she would like a pastry, but she wasn’t looking toward the window. Instead, she focused on something behind him. Instead of the shy smile he’d watched for the past little while, a suspicious frown tugged on her lips.

Just as he turned to see what bothered her, another person bumped into him, making him stumble. “Forgive me for not seeing—” he began to say, but the vagabond didn’t stop.

Louisa gasped and jumped in the stranger’s path. As the young lad skirted around to avoid her, Louisa’s hand slipped in the boy’s pocket quick as a flash. The vagabond pushed her shoulder, aiming his glare right at her, opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped. Wide eyes stared at Louisa for a few seconds, before the lad sprinted into a run.

Shock washed over Trevor as he witnessed the scene. Her movement was so quick—so precise—he wondered if he’d actually seen what he had.

Louisa stood still, staring at the object in her hand. Her face void of color.

“What in heaven’s name—” he snapped, but then noticed what she held out to him. My pocket watch? He dug inside his pocket—the same place he always kept his watch—but it wasn’t there. Words choked in his throat. The thief.

“Your Grace,” Louisa said in a shaky voice. “I could not allow him to steal from you.” She handed him the watch.

Still in shock, he shook his head. “How did you know he was stealing from me?”

“I…” She turned her head and stared at the direction the lad had run. “I saw him take your watch, and I knew I had to get it back.”

“But, Louisa,” Trevor stepped closer. “You took my watch right out of his pocket and he didn’t even notice.”

She blinked in bewilderment. “I know.”

“How…” Trevor shook his head. Her wide eyes and colorless face told him this had been a mystery to her as well.

“Well,” he said, expelling his breath, “shall we venture into the shop and get some pastries for our drive home?”

Nodding, she folded her shaking arms. “Yes. That is a splendid idea.” She hurried to the twins and held their hands.

Trevor opened the door for the three before entering the shop. His mind whirled with unanswered questions but more with the fear that he knew what the answers were all along. By Louisa’s quick actions as she retrieved his watch, Trevor now realized what her past had been. The realization left a bitter taste in his mouth that no pastry would be able to remove.