Chapter Ten
Kitty laughed as she and Oliver walked down the stairs leading into the expansive foyer of the Everly Townhouse.
Oliver had shown her every nook and cranny of the place.
She smiled, realizing this was the first time in forever that she had felt so carefree.
Kitty had been in full defense and protector mode for her family’s business and her sisters since her parents’ death.
She felt safe with Oliver.
Now, he guided them into the drawing room and stopped before a wall with portraits of dozens of people.
He grinned at her, making her heart flutter.
He was the Marquess of Everly and commanded any room he walked into, but she loved him like this, at home, when it was just the two of them—he was less formal.
Love. She felt her cheeks flush with heat that she’d used the word “love” even silently.
Yet, it felt true…
He threw his hand out with a flourish, taking Kitty away from her thoughts. “This is the wall of the Everly ancestors.”
Her stomach clenched as her gaze roamed over the various ladies and gentlemen of the Everly line. They all looked impeccable and were probably rolling in their graves now that Oliver had wed not only a commoner but also a woman who published illicit books. Tell him, her conscience suggested.
He moved to the left side of the wall and pointed at a woman. “This is the first Lady Everly. She was a princess from the Ottoman Empire who married my ancestor to unite the families. Rumor suggests she hated England and, until her dying day, dreamed of returning home.”
Kitty stepped closer to the painting. The woman exuded a regalness, but Kitty swore sadness lurked in her eyes. Did she love her husband, she wondered?
“The paintings go from oldest to newest. I’m not sure, honestly, where our portraits will go. It might be time to move all of this to a different space, maybe the hallway?”
She stepped back and studied his entire lineage. He was correct. The wall was bursting with portraits. It was slightly overwhelming.
Oliver moved on, pointing to another portrait, this one of a man. “This is the Marquess of Everly, the Sixth. This one isn’t speculative gossip but a true scandal. After his son was born, he ran off to the Continent and spent his remaining years with his mistress.”
Another sad story—she pondered if all nobility followed similar paths. “Were most marriages for practical reasons instead of love?”
Oliver stiffened, and Kitty said, “I shouldn’t have asked.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You are allowed to ask me anything. I think that was the case centuries ago, but my parents wed for love and continued to adore each other throughout their marriage. We may not have started our union in such a romantic fashion, but there is no reason why we can’t have a loving marriage. ”
Kitty leaned further into him. She wanted that. Her eyes flicked over the wall. “Tell me a love story about your ancestors.”
Oliver released her and walked to two portraits, tapping them.
“These two will suffice. Eighty years ago, my great-grandfather fell in love with a thief. The future Lord Everly married her, and his father kicked him out. He even tried to have his heir declared insane so his second son could inherit the title. But that all ended when his first son’s wife, Lady Bessie Everly, gave birth to a son, an heir to the Everly line.
After his birth, they accepted her begrudgingly, and she became the perfect lady. ”
She walked closer and saw some of Oliver’s features in her, including his golden locks. Kitty wondered if Lady Bessie gave up all she was to be the type of lady society deemed acceptable, or if mischief had still lurked somewhere in her.
If she had given up everything, would Kitty have to do the same?
Her uncle had suggested Oliver would make her give up the underground book business.
Would he? The books she sold to women did so much good, whether for enjoyment or, especially, for knowledge.
Like the book she and Oliver had used—if she hadn’t had access to that knowledge, would she be as in love with her husband as she thought she might be now?
Or would they still be dancing around one another, never enjoying their marriage as it could be?
There were so many other women who had no idea how wonderful it was to be intimate with their husbands.
It was a sad thought, for sure. For those women, Kitty vowed, there was no way she could give up that part of the business.
Oliver tapped on his mother’s portrait. “This lady even has a secret.”
Nothing like mine. Even if her business helped others, it was still illegal.
The stern stares of all the Everlys who had come before her felt heavy and accusatory.
This long family line would become one of scandal because of her…
she turned her head but could still feel the weight of those painted stares.
She looped her arm through Oliver’s and began leading him from the room.
“Tell me later. I want you to show me your bedchamber.” It was a distraction, but it was also the truth.
He brushed a kiss across her lips. “My lady, you woke up in my room this morning.”
“Yet, I still have so much to learn about the space,” she said, giving him what she hoped was an impish wink.
It seemed to work because a warm smile spread across her husband’s handsome face, and his blue eyes twinkled in a way that made that delicious heat spread through her body. “Well, we should head that way. We wouldn’t want your education to be incomplete.” He pressed her arm to his side.
Kitty needed to make some tough decisions, but not today.
No, right now, she wanted to enjoy this time with Oliver.
Yes, she was avoiding so many things, but would a few days really harm anything?
As Oliver slid the tip of his tongue over his lips in a promising way, she forced the worrisome thoughts from her mind.
Oliver smiled as he stood by a window, watching Kitty, her sisters, and Julia walk in the garden. They were visiting for afternoon tea. Everyone seemed to be getting along so well.
Was this all too good to be true? Had he really been so lucky to be matched with someone who appeared perfect for him in every way? He wasn’t a man who believed in fate. Yet, Oliver studied his wife and wondered if he was a fool for not being more open-minded.
Even now, she seemed to sense his gaze and turned to smile up at him before continuing on with the other women.
Was it his imagination that she put a little swing in her hips for his enjoyment?
Perhaps. But there was no denying that his body, even right now, hungered for her.
His eyes roamed over her fitted frock. He longed to undo the long row of buttons in the back of the bodice and let it fall to the floor, then unbind her thick chestnut hair and thread it through his fingers as it tumbled over her bare skin, hiding her perfect body from his view like a silken cloak…
Christ! What was he doing? His cock would be bulging through his trousers if he didn’t stop.
It wasn’t just that Oliver desired her. No, it was much more than that. Oliver truly enjoyed her company. He wanted to be in her presence, no matter what they were doing. Though, admittedly, he enjoyed it even more when she was naked.
And he was naked too…
“You really like her, don’t you?” his mother—who was also here for tea—asked. He hoped she didn’t notice his state of arousal when he turned to face her and found her seated in a wingback chair.
“I do,” he said, making his way across the room to join her in the sitting area of the drawing room.
She smiled at him, relief etched across her face. “I worried you would wed someone awful for you.”
He shook his head. “No, I think we suit well.”
Oliver had only found one thing strange since their marriage: Kitty never talked about her family’s business, and when he brought it up, she seemed to change the subject.
He told himself repeatedly not to worry about it; they were still getting acquainted.
Still, he couldn’t prevent the thought that Kitty was holding back a part of herself from him.
It bothered him; his wife fascinated him, and he wanted to learn all facets of her.
“I wish I had a better understanding of her bookshop and printing press. I have no desire to overly involve myself, but it is a big part of who she is.”
His mother frowned. “I know our debt isn’t your mess, but she likely worries how involved you were with our financial decline.”
“You are probably correct.”
His mother assured, “Have hope.”
For the first time, anger welled in Oliver that his father had made such foolish choices, but he reminded himself, he wouldn’t have met Kitty without the debt.
They were from different worlds. So many lords and ladies complained about those considered “New Money,” but it was apparent that the world of old and new wealth was colliding in London.
Perhaps he shouldn’t worry about it so much.
He had much to do with righting the estate.
As time went on, he suspected Kitty would gradually open up about the bookshop and printing press.
He looked forward to learning more about it and her.
Plus, they’d given themselves a month not to worry about how all their responsibilities would be managed.
Eventually, she would also be burdened with marchioness duties. He was concerned she would hate it.
“I want her to be happy in our marriage and not overwhelmed by the duties that come with the title. When you return, will you assist her?”
“Of course,” his mother stated. “I’m happy to help, as is Julia.”
Hanson entered the room. “My lord, the Earl of Carrington is here. He says the matter is urgent.”
He and his mother glanced at each other, alarmed, before Oliver told the butler, “Please show him in.”
What could be the problem, he wondered. He hadn’t seen his friend since before his wedding to Kitty. Moments later, his friend walked into the room. He didn’t appear rushed, but his face was filled with worry.
“What is it?” Oliver demanded.
Carrington nodded to his mother. She motioned to the chair next to her and insisted, “Come sit.”
He joined them. “Winthrop is at his country estate. My butler received a message from his that he isn’t faring well. He has been drinking and refusing to leave his room for quite some time.”
Oliver’s heart clenched at the thought that their friend continued to struggle so much. Peter had returned from the Continent a different man, scarred and broken. He’d seen more fighting than he and Carrington had.
“I plan to ride out to his estate and stay a few days. I’m going to use the excuse that I have a venture in which he may be interested. It would be more believable and helpful if you joined me.”
The terrace doors opened, and Kitty and the other ladies entered. Kitty’s eyes widened at who, to her, was an unknown guest. She stumbled to a stop. “I’m sorry. Are we interrupting?”
Oliver shot to his feet. “Of course not. May I introduce a good friend of mine, the Earl of Carrington.”
Kitty said, “Hello, my lord,” and curtseyed prettily.
His friend rose and bowed. Julia didn’t curtsey or give him a greeting; instead, she frowned at him. She, like Oliver, had known Carrington and Winthrop since childhood and could easily conclude this visit wasn’t a happy one. “Is something wrong with Peter?”
Carrington remained silent, and Kitty turned to Hazel and Anna. “Why don’t you both go freshen up?” Her sisters departed quickly, obviously sensing the heaviness spreading throughout the room.
Julia didn’t drop her gaze from Carrington. She said, “Tell me.”
Carrington sighed. “He hasn’t been well since returning from France. His staff in the country said he has hidden himself away in his bedchamber and is refusing all visitors. I plan to call on him, and I want your brother to go with me.”
Oliver looked at Kitty. “I apologize. We are supposed to be spending time together—”
She held up her hand. “No, go help your friend. I will have your mother and our sisters move back in here to keep me company.”
He shot her a grateful look and turned back to Carrington. “When do you plan to leave?”
“The day after tomorrow, in the morning. I figured we’d stay for at least three days, but up to a week if needed.”
He glanced at Kitty first, who nodded, reassuring him it was fine. “I will meet you at your townhouse.”
“Thank you. I wouldn’t go or request you join me so soon after your wedding unless I was truly concerned. I will depart now and prepare for our trip,” Carrington said.
He and Oliver discussed a few more travel plans, and then he made his goodbyes. Once Carrington was gone, Julia’s eyes became watery. “You must not allow any harm to come to Peter.”
“I won’t,” he said, determined to help his friend even if he didn’t know how, yet. He wasn’t even sure exactly what was wrong, though he suspected it had to do with their time in France, for what else could it be?
His sister’s lips trembled. “I think I will rest for a bit before dinner.”
She rushed from the room, and his mother rose, smiling apologetically at him and Kitty. “I will make sure your sister, who swears she doesn’t hold a tendre for our family friend, is fine.”
Once his mother was gone, Oliver pulled Kitty into his arms. “I’m sorry I’m leaving you.”
She brushed her mouth across his. “He is your friend. I would think less of you if you didn’t care. I will have plenty to do. There are a few balls to attend and much work to do at the bookshop.”
He nuzzled her neck and was gratified when she gave a gasp of delight. “Just know I will be thinking of you constantly.”
Kitty bowed into him. “Perhaps we should…um, rest before dinner?”
“I like the way you think, Lady Everly.”