Page 65 of The Duchess and the Beast
“I might cancel,” Sebastian muttered, nodding his head as if he was trying to convince himself to do just that. “Yes... now is hardly the time to be—”
“You most certainly will not!” Virtue widened her eyes in warning at her husband, who leaned back as if struck. This had her softening her expression, reaching out and taking his hand. “I understand that you are worried about me. And about leaving me alone.”
“Can you blame me?”
“Pray, you have nothing to fear,” she continued, keeping her tone soft as she caressed his hand. “I intend to remain well within the confines of our lands. And what could possibly happen to me here?”
He scoffed lightly. “Are you serious? The last time I left you—”
“Yet, even with your presence, the end might well have been the same,” she interjected with a serene smile. “The only difference is you would also likely be sick, and then we would have nobody but Lucy and Albion to tend to our needs.”
“I would still look after you...” he grumbled.
She rolled her eyes at him, reaching out, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw tenderly as she lovingly met his gaze. “Your friend needs you. And not just Ralph, but Lord Wellington also. Nearly a fortnight has passed since his passing, and still, you are no nearer to understanding the events that led to such a tragedy.”
“I’m hoping that Ralph has uncovered something by now.”
“Which you will not learn unless you meet with him,” she chided lightly. “Which is all he is asking of you. So, as per my original point, you should go. I shall be perfectly fine here on my own.”
He did not want to leave her. She could see that as clear as day. Just the thought of leaving her alone, even if it was only for a few hours, struck terror into the man such that one would think he was being commanded back to war, forced to leave hiswife behind for God only knew how many years. It was nothing so exaggerated, however, merely a day trip that would see him home before the evening.
“Are you certain?” he asked, and she could sense his resolve breaking.
“Faith, if you don’t leave, I might just have to go myself,” she quipped with a light-hearted laugh. “And you can stay behind, keeping dear Lucy company.”
“I’m sure she would love that,” he added wryly.
Virtue replied with a playful shrug. “She has grown quite fond of you, you know.”
Sebastian sighed. “Promise me this then, that you will refrain from doing anything reckless in my absence.”
Virtue rolled her eyes once more. “You know, I had contemplated a spirited ride through the woodlands, perhaps even a daring dash to London and back. But I suppose such adventures can wait until your return.”
He chuckled before clasping her hand gently, pressing a tender kiss to its back. Gazed into her eyes, the depth of his affection unmistakable. “I...” he began, and she held her breath, wondering if now, finally, he would say the words. “Will miss you,” he uttered instead.
A pang of disappointment tugged at her heart—she had been so sure he would finally say them. “I know you will,” she responded, her smile tinged with both affection and a hint of sadness. “And I, you.”
They still hadn’t spoken those three magic words to one another. It felt strange to Virtue that they had not, because it was so clear to both how they felt. And yet every time that she was certain the words to be passing his lips... he would hesitate and speak something else. Was he scared to say them, she wondered. Or perhaps he did not feel the same way that she now knew herself to feel about him?
And yes, she might have told him that she loved him first, but by this point, she wished to hear him say it, for he seemed to be building up the courage. Stubborn of her? Certainly. But necessary.
Sebastian left her shortly after. Not before assuring her for the umpteenth time that he would return as quickly as possible. And not before reminding her to take it easy while he was gone, for he did not want to return to find her back in bed having fainted for pushing herself too hard.
“It has been nearly a week since my last fainting spell,” she had reminded him lightly, hoping to ease his concern. “I believe we are beyond that now.”
He’d kissed her fully on the lips. Then held her there... refusing to let go... seemingly trying to get as much of her as he could, so that he could remember it while he was away.
She couldn’t begrudge him for the way he was behaving. Ever since the unfortunate incident of her poisoning, his attentions had been ceaseless, treating her as though she were fragile, in need of constant vigilance. It was endearing, if a little annoying at times, and she understood once her health was fully restored, things would return to normal. Besides, the positives from it far outweighed the negatives, so she was willing to accept the good with the bad.
At last, the moment of departure had arrived. Virtue had stood at the front steps, her hand raised in a lingering farewell as Sebastian urged his horse forward, the hooves clattering against the cobblestones. A final look back when he reached the gate... a moment’s pause... and then he was gone.
“I thought he would never leave,” Lucy clicked her tongue from behind where Virtue was standing.
“Oh, behave,” Virtue lightly scolded, her eyes still fixed on the empty path where Sebastian had disappeared.
“In all seriousness, however, I was wrong about him,” Lucy confessed, a note of surprise coloring her voice. “It seems he really is as kind and gentle as you’ve been claiming. Who knew.”
“I told you.”