Chapter Two
Nicholas Harcourt—the current Viscount of Wycliffe—was nearly beside himself with glee, for he and his wife would leave the following day for a holiday of sorts.
As he surveyed the beehive of activity happening in his suite of rooms, he nodded with approval.
A couple of maids, as well as his valet, were currently packing trunks for both his wardrobe and personal effects and those belonging to Amelia.
Unfortunately, his former valet, Barnes, had passed away a year ago due to a faulty heart.
The man holding the position now was younger, perhaps around Nicholas’ own age, and he had a wicked sense of humor.
“Ah, Jenson, make certain you include my favorite pair of boots. I’d rather not dirty one of the newer pairs while hunting over muddy ground.”
“Of course, my lord. They have already been put in a trunk.”
“Excellent, and Tilly,” he said to one of the young maids. “I would like it ever so much if you’ll include Lady Wycliffe’s rose-colored silk. I particularly adore her in that gown.”
The maid nodded. “I shall fetch it from her clothespress right now, my lord.” Then she scampered from the suite, while the valet watched her go.
“Has something caught your fancy, Jenson?” Nicholas asked with a smirk, for the maid was attractive in a fresh-faced sort of way and a good ten years the valet’s junior.
The other maid snickered as she vanished into the corridor, no doubt to retrieve another armful of Amelia’s clothes.
His valet pulled a face at him. Amusement danced in his blue eyes. “I might have an interest, but I won’t act upon it.”
“Why not?” At this point, Nicholas was merely having fun at the other man’s expense. “A bit of slap and tickle never hurt anyone.”
Jenson grunted. “I respect her too much for that, my lord.”
“Ah, so that’s how the wind blows, does it?” He clasped his hands behind his back. “You’re sweet on her.”
A ruddy flush went up the valet’s neck. “Perhaps, but I don’t wish to have a distraction from my position.”
“Bah.” With a shake of his head, Nicholas moved to the door. “Life is for the living, Jenson. We never know what the future holds, so strike while the iron is hot. Your position will be just fine.”
Surely, I haven’t turned into a romantic since marrying.
Perish the thought.
“I shall bear that in mind, but for now, I need to finish this task, my lord.”
“Very well.” With a nod, Nicholas left the room and strode along the corridor toward the nursery as his thoughts returned to his wife.
Damn, but the road to winning Amelia had been hard-won, and though he adored having her as his bride as well as his viscountess, they were entering a new phase of their relationship.
While his fortunes were slowly coming back thanks to smart investments with Percy, and he was growing prouder of himself as the weeks went on because he could now care for his family, he was selfish and wanted more from his life.
Oh, he enjoyed being married, and the attraction still burned hot between him and Amelia, but ever since their son, Gideon, had been born, coming together carnally had slowed dramatically.
He’d understood, of course, for his wife had entered motherhood and the babe depended on her, but Nicholas missed his wife, missed their walks together, missed claiming her body whenever he wanted to, missed verbally sparring with her or talking to her in bed before they retired.
Most of the time, she fell asleep hours before he came upstairs.
Over the two or so years since they’d married, there had been spats and arguments, of course.
They both had strong personalities and responsibilities that pressed on them, but overcoming those challenges gave vitality to the relationship.
Once, she’d gone back to her father’s manor house for a few weeks to have time apart from him after a particularly virulent fight.
Shortly after, he’d come to his senses and apologized, groveled really, until she’d returned home to London with him.
Truly, they both needed to get away from everything, to remove themselves from the rut they’d fallen into and rekindle that spark in their marriage.
So when the opportunity to begin the autumn hunting season came about with the house party and ball, he absolutely agreed to come.
It was the perfect time for him and Amelia to reconnect.
At the nursery door, he popped into the room, for he wished to talk to his son, tell him goodbye. He and Amelia would start their travels in the morning on the morrow, and the boy might not be awake at that time.
“How is my little Gideon?” he asked in a soft voice as he approached the crib.
“How is my heir?” Though the boy was a year and a half old, he still couldn’t believe he had a son.
While the nursery maid excused herself, he peered into the crib, looked down at the babe.
“Such a handsome boy, a clever boy too.” Golden ringlets and blue eyes were a testament to his mother, but his expressions and mannerisms belonged to his father.
The boy’s eyes lit upon seeing Nicholas. “Papa, up!”
Never would he be accustomed to being referred to as that.
“Of course, my boy.” He scooped the boy from the crib draped with soft fabrics.
Then he cuddled him on his shoulder. “Papa and Mama love you very much. Do you know that?” When the boy peered back with wide eyes, Nicholas nodded.
“We are going away, just for a little while, but we will return as quickly as we can.” If he could manage it, he’d stay a few extra days to spend that time exclusively with Amelia, but in this moment, he couldn’t rush his fences.
“Papa go?” One of the child’s little blond eyebrows lifted.
God, he is so like me. “Yes, Papa is going to visit with a friend.”
“Mama go?”
“Yes, Mama is coming with me.” The sound of rustling fabric at the doorway betrayed Amelia’s arrival.
Hellfire, but she was more beautiful now than when he’d married her, and it wasn’t just because of the new curves granted due to childbirth and motherhood.
He grinned at her. “I have been telling Gideon about our trip, but that we will hurry back because we love him.”
“Oh.” Tears shimmered in her expressive blue eyes as she came further into the room.
Her obvious emotional state gutted him, and he hated himself for making her feel thusly.
When she reached them, she gazed upon their son.
“It’s only for a wee bit of time, my love,” she told the boy, who gave her a goofy smile.
A dribble of slobber went down his chin.
“Ah, Amelia.” Nicholas’ heart wrenched as he looked at her. “It’s going to be all right, you know.”
She dabbed at Gideon’s chin with a corner of the blanket wrapped around him. “You are tearing a mother away from her child,” she hissed in a whisper, so she wouldn’t upset the boy.
“Only for a week or so. He is a fine, strong boy and will be in the best of care.” He peered at his son, grinned at him until the boy giggled.
“Your grandmother and aunts will spoil you and love on you while we’re away.
” Then he tossed the child into the air and caught him, much to Gideon’s delight, who cooed and squealed with laughter.
“Up again!”
How could he deny the boy anything? Truly, he resembled a mix of both him and Amelia in the very best ways. Once more he tossed the child into the air and caught him. Laughter abounded from them both.
Even Amelia smiled, faintly, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes.
“Trust me, sweeting.” Nicholas put the boy into her arms. “Gideon, tell your mama you love her.” He met her gaze. “We should finalize the preparations. The traveling coach will be ready at first light tomorrow morning.”
“I know. Don’t rush me. This is the first time I will be separated from my son. I wish to spend these last moments with him.”
“Very well. I’ll wait in the corridor.” As he left the room, his heart squeezed at how upset she was while she nuzzled Gideon and covered his little face with kisses.
Much to his amusement. When the boy’s chubby little arms went around her neck and tears were on her cheeks, Nicholas felt like a monster.
But it was healthy for them to go away for some alone time together.
Eventually, the nursery maid returned with a tray of dinner in hand. She gave him an understanding smile as she passed into the room.
“One of Lady Wycliffe’s sisters will be here within the hour with Gideon’s grandmother. They’ll stay here while we are gone.”
“So the housekeeper told me, my lord.” The maid nodded. “I think he’ll enjoy spending time with them. Family is important.”
“I think so too.”
A few minutes later, Amelia put their son into the nursery maid’s arms, and he thought his heart might fall right out of his chest from the expression of betrayal his wife shot him as she joined him in the corridor.
“Please don’t fret.” Nicholas slipped an arm about her waist. “All will be well. Your sister and your mother will spoil him; Gideon probably won’t even know we’re gone, but just think of how happy he’ll be when we return.”
Amelia sniffled. “I’ll miss him so much. He’s my baby.” She turned into him and he enveloped her into his embrace.
“I will too, but you and I both need this time away,” he said into her ear. “It will refresh you, so that when you return, you’ll feel more the thing. Even you must admit you’ve been exhausted and not like yourself for far too long.”
“This is true.” She nodded. “That doesn’t mean I’ll forgive you.
” Yet she remained in his hold for a few minutes more, and he was grateful for that boon.
It had been weeks since he’d been able to have even this with her.
The heat of her seeped into his body while his shaft twitched with interest. Then she stirred, shattering the spell that had just begun to weave around them.
“Let me splash some water on my face. I’ll join you downstairs for dinner shortly. ”
“Don’t be long. I can’t remember when we shared a meal last.” With a sigh of frustration, he watched as his wife slowly retreated along the corridor then she disappeared into the viscountess’ suite.
Often, she would sleep there so she wouldn’t disturb him when handling Gideon’s feeding schedule if they weren’t utilizing a wet nurse.
Had he been wrong about this house party being beneficial for them both? Only time would tell.