Page 287 of Desires of a Duke Collection

Bed linens tangled about his legs, Landon stretched out and wiggled until his feet came free. Three days, he’d laid about with his beguiling wife—three long nights of pleasuring her until they fell asleep with exhaustion. Bronwyn was eager to please him in and out of bed. He had shared the tale of how he came to be in possession of the rondure, and she shared the details of cases she and Christopher had dealt with since his departure from the firm.

In all the hours they spent together, he hadn’t managed to find an appropriate time to confess his love for her. The woman excelled at directing and redirecting conversations. Not once had she indicated she might return his regard. While they were indisputably compatible in bed, he believed it had the potential to be much more. The one element missing was love. But as time passed, Landon became increasingly wary. The fear of her not returning the words of endearment caused him to postpone sharing his deepest feelings for her.

Bronwyn twisted to look over her shoulder at him. “I’d like to explore the castle and the grounds today.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“Don’t you have other matters to attend to? I’m sure there is a stack of correspondence somewhere that needs your attention.”

“Have you tired of my company already?” His question got her full attention.

She turned and to face him. “I’d happily lie abed with you all day, but I am aware that you have been neglecting your duties. I can’t bear the guilt of occupying all your time any longer.”

“Is that what has been bothering you?”

She stared at him hard. “Aren’t you bored of my company?”

“Definitely not.” Unable to resist, he placed a chaste kiss upon her lips.

“Really. Most people tire of my constant debating after an hour or less.”

“Your ability to systematically point out the flaws of any argument is one of the things I adore about you.”

Her cheeks turned a pretty rose color. “In any case, I know what it is like to be the one waiting for a decision on a matter to be made. Attend to your responsibilities, and I shall go on an adventure.”

If they tackled the mountain of letters awaiting him together, the sooner he could return to more pleasurable pursuits with his wife. “Would you like to assist me?”

“Are you certain you want my help?”

“It would be like before, at the firm.”

A smirk appeared on Bronwyn’s otherwise serious features. “My thanks for the offer, but I think the sunshine will do me good.”

Odd. Landon had been confident Bronwyn would leap at the opportunity. Instead, his wife placed a kiss upon his forehead and disappeared into the adjoining chamber.

With impeccable timing, Jacobs appeared in the doorway with a lawn shirt at the ready. Stepping into his breeches, Landon fastened his falls and padded over to the door. “What is it, Jacobs?”

“A missive from your brother arrived this morn.”

Landon punched his arms into the shirtsleeves. Whatever the matter was, it must be of import, for Christopher was fully aware that Archbroke was in charge until his return.

***

Bronwyn stepped in front of the large looking glass as she wrapped the lovely tartan Lady Mary had left as a wedding gift for her about her shoulders. The prickle of the fine wool against her skin reminded Bronwyn that this was to be her new life. Glorious gowns made from expensive silks and material, staff to wait upon her every need, and meals that burst with flavors she’d not thought possible. This was the life of a lady, not one she’d ever envisioned for herself. Hadn’t her parents always warned: Never forget your station in life. Best to keep your head on straight. Be happy with your lot. Like a good and dutiful daughter, she’d never debated her parents’ thinking.

She narrowed her gaze at the woman staring back at her. How had Landon described her eyes? A shade of aquamarine with shards of sparkling sunlight. No, the man was wrong. Her eyes were a dull shade of sky blue. She reached up to place a wayward wisp of her mouse-brown hair behind her ear. It was definitely not the vibrant, varied chestnut-brown color Landon had proclaimed it. Turning away in disgust, she regained her senses. She was no beauty, but when Landon’s intense gaze landed upon her, she felt like a diamond of the first water. Landon was a rogue in disguise, constantly feeding her mind with crazy images of herself. Nightly she pondered the question that continued to plague her. Why her? Why had Landon deemed her worthy over the elegant ladies of the ton or any other woman of his acquaintance? She was no extraordinary beauty. She wasn’t any more intelligent than Emma or any of the other women in the Network, and she certainly wasn’t as brilliant or as brave as Theo. Bronwyn glanced back in the looking glass and shook her head.

She scanned the bedchamber for her husband. Her eyes fixed upon the rumpled bed linens—why had she even suggested leaving the bed today?

Gripping the tartan at the center of her chest, she sighed. Guilt. She couldn’t go on pretending. Landon’s nightly confessions of his love for her and mumblings of worry at having abandoned his responsibilities weighed heavily upon her chest.

Tip-toeing down the hall, she slinked out the front door and escaped into the fresh air. That was easier than expected. The slew of carefully crafted arguments to escape the castle unaccompanied went unused. Not a single day had passed since Landon’s proposal that she had managed to venture out of doors without a team of footmen trailing her.

With her face tilted sunwards, Bronwyn basked in its warmth. She loosened her tight hold on her shawl, relaxing the muscles in her shoulders. A good brisk walk would help her clear her cloudy thoughts. Stopped, at a fork in the path, Landon’s suggestion to assist him like before replayed in her mind. How could he even suggest a thing?

Much had changed. Two years had passed.

He had changed. Landon was no longer solely focused on his occupation as a barrister, happily unaware of his family’s ties to the Crown, and unmarked. He was a peer with unparalleled duties to the Crown and the Network.

She had changed. No longer merely a shopkeeper’s daughter. She was a valued legal assistant and reveled in working in the legal offices of Neale we had a tad bit of trouble locating you.”

“Why didn’t they advise you of my location?”

Lady Mary frowned. “My sources aggravatingly only share what they believe is pertinent.”

Bronwyn couldn’t help but laugh at Lady Mary’s response and exasperated look. She swallowed the last half of a laugh as a tall, athletically built man came into sight. “I’d like to try and walk on my own and not be carried like a babe.”

Placing a hand on the man’s arm for leverage, Lady Mary rose. “Can you assist Lady Bronwyn to her feet?”

“Certainly. Countess Hadfield, please allow me to assist.” He bent and placed an arm about her waist. “Place your arm along my shoulders, behind my neck.”

In one swift motion, he lifted her to stand, but the pain in her ankle had her grimacing. One quick side glance at her, and Lord Waterford bent, placed an arm under her knees, and lifted her.

Lady Mary picked up Bronwyn’s tartan and brushed off the leaves clinging to it. Placing the material about Bronwyn’s shoulders, Lady Mary said, “We will have you safely home soon, and it will be bed rest for you for a few days.”

Days! Bronwyn shook her head. Landon’s sleepy mumbling of guilt at having left Archbroke with an enormous burden filled her mind. “I’m certain I’ll be fine by morn,” Bronwyn declared. “I’ll not be a burden to Landon.” A wife was to assist and aid her husband, not become a hindrance.

The couple glanced at each other with a manner that suggested an entire conversation had occurred between the two in mere seconds.

Lord Waterford smiled down at her. “Lassie, you’re no’ a burden to anyone.”

In a matter of fact tone, Lady Mary said, “Landon won’t let you out of his sight once he sees you’ve been hurt.”

“Then you will assist me in ensuring he doesn’t find out.”

Eyebrows raised, Lady Mary asked, “Is that an order, Countess Hadfield?”

Was her first order going to be one to deceive her husband?

Bronwyn nodded.

“Very well. So be it.” Mary grinned. “Gilbert, you will carry Lady Bronwyn into the castle and ensure she is settled in the drawing room. I’ll distract Landon.”

Bronwyn had a sinking feeling that she had made an enormous error.