Chapter 31
Thirty-One
April stood abruptly, the tension in the room so thick she could scarcely breathe. “What are you doing here?” she began, but Theo lifted a hand, halting her words as surely as a wall might halt a charging steed.
She froze. That look in his eyes, stormy and relentless. She had seen it once before, the night he interrogated that man in the cellar.
It frightened her. So why did her heart hammer so violently in her chest as he stepped closer, his boots whispering across the carpeted floor, his form circling her like a hawk watching its prey?
“Imagine my surprise when I had barely left Kent and received a message from Redmond telling me that my wife has gone to London.” He leaned slightly closer to her. “Alone.”
“I returned to find our home empty,” he said, the heat of his breath brushing the nape of her neck. “The Duchess of Stone had vanished. Do you know what went through my mind until I reached London and confirmed you were safe?”
April swallowed then tried to speak, her voice faltering. “Surely you knew nothing bad could happen, I only came—”
He laughed, short and dark. “You only came to visit your family? You were in no condition to leave the manor after what occurred that night. You had no guard nor escort.”
He moved to face her now, his eyes locked on hers, unblinking.
“Do you know what could have happened on that road? Highwaymen. Traitors. Enemies who seek revenge. A lone duchess—widely known, married to a man pursuing justice against dangerous men. There are those who would not hesitate to use you to reach me. Murder, blackmail, abduction. Need I go on?”
April’s blood ran cold. She had forgotten. Forgotten all about the men he had interrogated, the threats still lurking in the shadows. Forgotten how easily a warning might be delivered.
“I am sorry,” she whispered. “I did not think. I only felt afraid.”
He pulled her into his arms before the last word had even left her lips. She sank into his embrace, her tears coming swift and silent. “I could not bear to be near water,” she murmured. “Each time the carriage neared a bridge, I gripped the seat so tightly. I feared I would fall.”
He held her tighter. “You are safe now. I pulled you out once, and I would do it again. A hundred times if necessary. You have no need to run.”
She lifted her head slightly. “May I not visit my family?”
He chuckled, low and warm. “That is different, and you know it. You did not come to visit. You fled, seeking refuge.”
A breath escaped her, part sigh, part laugh. “You know me too well.”
“I intend to know you better still.”
She hesitated then spoke softly, “I do not wish to be afraid any longer. I want to learn how to swim. I shall hire someone—”
“No.”
The firmness in his voice made her pause.
“No one else. If you are to learn, you will learn from me. For your safety,” he said then added with unmistakable gravity, “and because I will not have another man touching you.”
Her breath caught. Not just from the possessiveness of the words but from the sudden, undeniable warmth that bloomed deep in her chest.
April looked up at him, stunned, a hot and restless sensation sparking beneath her ribs. “Why must it be you?” she asked, faintly teasing. “Surely you have better things to do than oversee my flailing in a pond.”
He arched a brow. “I will not entrust your safety to another. And, besides,” he stepped closer, his hand finding the curve of her waist, “I believe I would enjoy watching your attempts.”
“Enjoy watching me struggle, would you?” she shot back, smiling despite herself.
“Greatly. And I shall rescue you every time you sink.”
April tilted her chin. “Perhaps I shall not sink. Perhaps I will swim like a swan.”
“A very determined swan,” he murmured, drawing her in, the air between them charged.
The tension crested. Her heart drummed against her ribs. She swayed slightly toward him. He leaned closer, the press of his hand against her back tightening, his gaze dipping to her mouth.
The door burst open.
“Oh, what a surprise!” Dorothy swept into the room, bright-eyed and utterly oblivious. “You did not say he was coming, April!”
April jumped back. Theo straightened, a muscle ticking in his jaw. He gave Dorothy a nod. “I came to retrieve my wife. We had a small disagreement, and she fled.”
Dorothy gasped. “Fled? Good heavens, April!”
“Mama, it is—”
“Spats are part of marriage,” her mother interjected. “You must return to your home.”
“That is what I am going to do,” she mumbled as Theo took her hand.
“Your father is asleep now, but I shall tell him you visited and give him your regards.” At that moment, May and June entered the room, halting just short of the threshold.
“Are you taking her back now?” May asked, exchanging a look with June.
“Indeed,” Theo said. “But we shall return before long.”
He offered his arm, and April took it. Outside, the carriage waited, and he helped her inside, settling beside her. As they rode, she looked out the window, lost in thought, Loretta’s words curling like smoke in the back of her mind.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
She turned to him with a smile. “How are you the first to start a conversation?”
“I am learning,” he said, “from you.”
“I am not thinking of anything in particular.”
“Are you sad to return to the manor with me? We can go elsewhere if you like.”
Her lips lifted slightly. “I am nervous about going back.”
“Then we shall not return just yet,” he said. He rapped on the carriage roof. The vehicle slowed then stopped. He stepped out, exchanged quiet words with the driver, and returned, his expression unreadable.
“Where are we going?”
“You shall see. I am full of surprises, remember?”
April raised a brow. “Are you now? I had begun to suspect you were entirely too serious for surprises.”
“You wound me.”
She smiled fully now, leaning her head slightly to the side. “I doubt that very much.”
They drove on, not back to the manor but farther beyond London.
Fields gave way to the broad, tree-lined stretches of Essex countryside.
After some time, the carriage turned into the gravel drive of an elegant inn with ivy-covered walls and a garish sign swinging in the breeze that read The Toad and Thistle.
April stared at it. “You have a peculiar taste in inns.”
“Only the finest establishments for my lady.”
They were shown to a suite of well-appointed chambers with a generous hearth and floral drapes. Theo gave instructions to the footman. “Our things will be brought shortly.”
April turned in a slow circle, taking in the space. “It is lovely.”
“It is quiet,” he said. “And far from anything that might trouble you.”
She met his gaze, that unreadable expression again dancing in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“Rest, April. I’ll see to supper.”
The moment the door closed behind him, April sat on the edge of the bed, fatigue wrapping around her like a heavy shawl. She lay back, her eyes drifting closed, the softness of the bedding pulling her under.
But her sleep did not last.
In her dream, she stood once more on the banks of the pond. Mist curled low and thick, choking the air. The surface of the water was unnaturally still and black as ink.
A whisper came, soft and poisonous. You are not enough. He will tire of you, just as he tired of me.
April turned, searching, but no one was there. Just that voice, that honeyed venom.
He loved me once. You are merely a distraction.
Suddenly the water surged, dark hands reaching, grasping. She tried to step back, but her feet were rooted to the earth. The ground crumbled beneath her, and she plunged in. Cold, crushing black enveloped her.
She screamed, but no sound escaped. Water filled her mouth. The surface was too far, too distant. She clawed at it…
And Loretta’s laughter echoed from above, ringing through the deep.
“Theo!” April called desperately.She woke with a gasp, and Theo was beside her, wrapping his arms around her. He pulled her close, tucking her head against his chest.
“You are safe. I am here. I will not let anything happen to you.”
She clung to him, trembling. “I had a nightmare,” she whispered, hating the way her voice shook.
He kissed her temple. “They will not harm you. Not while I draw breath.”
She rested her head against his chest, the sound of his strong, steady heartbeat calming her.
Hold onto this, she thought. Hold onto him and hope.