Chapter Fifteen #2
“Yes, very much. I didn’t know you had work there.”
“I don’t. I need to make it official that I intend to fill my father’s seat.”
She smiled demurely. “Can I do that? Accompany you?”
“You’re my wife. Of course you can.”
“I would love to see where you’ll be helping pass laws.”
He arched a brow and smiled. “Then it’s settled.” He glanced up at the sky. The blue skies which dominated earlier were giving way to a smattering of gray. “We’ll take the carriage, just in case it decides to rain.”
Daphne nodded, picking up a smaller piece of fish. “You haven’t said how it went in court.”
“It was a success. The judge sentenced him to death. Him having possession of my father’s signet ring played a huge part. His lawyers had no witnesses and never called him.”
“When will the execution take place?”
“I’m not sure. The prosecutor is to get back to me as soon as a date has been assigned.”
She nodded and glanced up at him. “I know you’re glad for the matter to be finally taken care of.”
“Yes, it’s weighed heavily on me. I’m just sorry Roxanne couldn’t have been here,” he replied.
“Why don’t you write her when we get home?”
He folded the empty newspaper and set it in between them. “I had already planned to do that. I don’t want to leave her wondering what happened.”
“She’ll be much appreciative you did so,” Daphne replied. She passed her newspaper to him where she’d left a smattering of chips. “I can’t finish these.”
Smiling, Arthur took the paper from her and quickly devoured the chips.
He was glad he’d thought of this. Most women wouldn’t do something like come to meet him and actually enjoy lunch on a park bench.
Most women would be horrified at the thought of eating in public in such a crude fashion.
After all, women of the ton preferred restaurants frequented by their own and where they could be seen by all.
“Are you ready?” He stood to his full height and offered his hand.
She took his hand and held it as he helped her stand. “Yes. We’re not too far, are we?”
“No, we’re not.”
It took them no time to arrive at the parliament house, and soon they were standing inside Arthur’s new office. He offered his wife a seat. “Do you have things you need to tend to?” she asked.
“One. If you don’t mind, it’ll take me a few minutes. I’ll return in no time.”
“I’ll be right here waiting,” she replied. Her sky-blue eyes watched him closely.
Leaning down, he planted a kiss on her cheek before standing. “Good.”
In the short time it took Arthur to finish his business, Daphne had fallen asleep in the same chair he left her in.
Stealthily, he neared her and placed a hand on her cheek.
Her eyes fluttered open, taking a few minutes to remember where she was.
“I must have fallen asleep. Have you been back long?”
“No, I just returned. If you’re ready, we can go home.”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
They walked through the maze of hallways until they were at the door to the chamber. “Would you like to see inside?”
“Yes, if I may.”
“Of course you may.” He led her to a massive oak door which led to the place where laws were made. Hearing her gasp caused him to smile. It wasn’t fancy but the room certainly had a history. Many a debate had ensued, and Arthur was sure he’d be part of many more.
She peered up at him after looking around the large room. “It’s not exactly how I envisioned it.”
“How’s that?”
“I thought it would be more formal.”
He smiled at her. “I was under that impression the first time my father brought me.”
“Did you tell him?”
“No,” he replied. “If you’re ready, why don’t we head home?”
She nodded her head, and the pair made their way to their waiting carriage.
Arthur sat down next to his wife and tapped the roof with the end of his walking stick.
She was so close to him, he could smell the perfume she wore.
It was a flowery scent, though he didn’t know what all it was made from besides gardenias.
Even that was faint and not overbearing.
As the carriage pulled out into the afternoon traffic, he felt her hand wrap around his upper arm. “I’ve enjoyed this,” she murmured.
“I have as well. We’ll have to do it more often,” he replied.
“I would like that. I understand there’s a new exhibit of Dutch masters. Perhaps we could go tomorrow if you don’t have any more pressing matters.”
“Let me check my diary and make sure I’m not forgetting anything.”
Daphne snuggled closer. “I know you want to leave day after tomorrow. I have a morning appointment for a dress fitting.”
“That’s fine. We can leave from there.”
“Thank you. I thought the trial would be longer than it lasted and that we’d be here longer.”
“It’s fine, my love.”
The carriage ride home was long and slow. There was a lot of stopping along the way, but that wasn’t out of the ordinary. Finally, the carriage turned to the left. Arthur pulled back the curtains which had been closed to keep it warmer inside. The team was two streets from the house.
“Are we almost home?”
Home. Such a simple word, but hearing Daphne say it took on a whole new meaning. It meant she was settling into her new role as wife and duchess. Soon he hoped she would take on one more. Mother.
He cleared his mind. “Yes, we are.”
Once inside, he handed a waiting footman his greatcoat, hat, and walking stick.
He saw Daphne fussing with her cape and walked closer to help her.
He slipped it off her dainty shoulders and handed it to another footman.
He ordered tea to be brought to the parlor where Sam was staying, knowing she would want to see him.
“Hot tea sounds heavenly on this cold afternoon,” she mused, walking across the hall with him.
“I’ll meet you in the parlor. I need to put this in my study,” he said, holding up a leather case he’d been carrying most of the day.
“Of course.” She stood on tip toe and kissed him on the cheek.
Arthur stood for a moment watching her continue to the parlor. The gentle sway of her hips made him overcome with desire. He’d never experienced some of the emotions he felt when he was around her or even thought about her. It was all new to him, something he hoped would never end.
Did this mean he was falling in love with her?
They certainly had never said the words, but the emotional connection they had seemed to make it acceptable.
He needed to let her know how he felt with words, not just physical contact.
They had a lifetime together and he wanted the bond they shared to grow deeper.
Perhaps he should do something like his father did with his mother.
The duke wasn’t a man of flowery words, so instead, at least once a week, he would leave a posy on her dressing table.
It was a gesture his mother had always loved.
He could leave her a stem of her favorite flower when it was in bloom.
Or a book. Something that would be significant between the two of them.
He watched her until she was out of sight and turned to walk to his study.
Opening the door, he felt the heat of the fire burning in the hearth.
Placing the case in the chair behind the desk, he sighed.
Observing a letter on the desk, he picked it up and opened it.
It was from Roxanne congratulating him on the victory and inviting them to dinner the night after they returned.
His first reaction was to decline. He didn’t want to share time with anyone but Daphne.
Dropping the paper back on his desk, he turned and left the room. He’d first see what Daphne thought of the matter. She might feel as he did and would want to stay home. If he declined, Roxanne would understand, especially when he asked her for another date.