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H er husband was not the person she’d thought, but he was still the same man. Her heart broke for what he’d endured and the guilt he’d carried all these years. She hoped he could now forgive himself, knowing that anyone would have done the same in that situation.

No one had been harmed by his deception. In fact, many people had been given a better future because of it. The late Lord Flemming had left this world knowing his line would go on. Harrington had likely been happy with the distraction of bringing up a new lord after his love had passed. Shay—or Ellis—had been given a life he would never have had, but one every child deserved. One with security and a chance for a happy future.

And then there was her. She had also been blessed by this man who had offered his protection from an unpleasant fate.

As their touches had turned from comfort to desire, she wanted to give him something she thought he needed. She’d seen the way he’d flinched before and now she realized it was when she’d cried out his name in bed.

When they were intimate and his defenses were down it must have been difficult for him to hear that other name. This time as he kissed along her collarbone and flicked his thumb across her nipple she allowed a different name to flow out of her.

“Ellis,” she said on a gasp and he raised his head to look at her with burning blue eyes.

“Say it again,” he demanded.

“Ellis, please.” She shifted restlessly, needing him so.

She’d only hoped to spare him unease by using the name that wasn’t truly his, but she’d unleashed some wild part of him. When he kissed her she felt some freedom she’d never felt before.

This time as they made love there were no secrets between them. And when he looked into her eyes as they found their release they saw each other for who they really were.

“I didn’t know I could feel so free. I know I can’t tell anyone else for it would ruin many things, but telling you has changed everything, Thea.”

“I will keep Shay during the day, but my nights will be shared with Ellis.”

He nodded and gave her a happy grin.

They talked, him sharing what his life had been like all this time. The danger and risk. All the worry he’d had at first that he might accidentally give himself away. What a burden for such a young boy.

She wasn’t sure if she fell asleep first or he did, but eventually they woke in the late morning.

“It is a new day,” he said as he kissed her and got out of bed. “Come. We shouldn’t waste a moment of it. I’d like to take a stroll through the gardens if you can delay your writing for just a little while this morning.”

“I believe that can be arranged. Since there is no hurry in me having to finish this book now, I will allow a distraction.”

She actually welcomed any time she could spend with her husband. She’d never planned to wed for doing so meant giving up herself and everything she had become. But never had she dreamed she could have both.

A husband and her writing.

As they sat, side by side, eating their morning meal, Shay went through the post, stopping on a letter that had pulled the smile from his face.

“What is it?”

He breathed out a resigned sigh. “I’m afraid I’m needed in London to take care of some business.”

She nodded, keeping the smile on her face. She would miss him. She knew from her trip here it was near to two weeks to get to London, which meant it would be at the least a month without him, not counting how much time he would need to stay to see to his business.

“Of course.”

“Why do you look upset? Buchanan House has a study you can use for your writing. Besides, you’ll soon be ready to turn in your manuscript. You might as well do that while we’re in London, aye?”

“You wish for me to go with you?” she asked, with some surprise.

“While I do want to see to this situation, it is not enough to take me away from my new bride. I will not go if you do not accompany me.”

She smiled. “Then I shall have to do my duty. After all, I am your wife and my place is at your side.”

“We shall pack and leave early in the morning.”

“I shall be ready,” she promised.

Fortunately, her new gowns arrived that afternoon and Frannie was able to see to packing them for their trip. Frannie was nearly beside herself with excitement for she’d never been to London before.

“I will make sure to show you all the best things,” Thea promised her maid.

Frannie looked a bit sad and Thea wondered if she would miss her family.

“No, it’s not that, my lady. It’s just…” The girl shook her head. “Never mind. All is well.” But Thea was becoming quite the expert on knowing when someone felt guilty about something and she was all but certain Frannie was hiding something.

Their voyage to London was quite different than what Thea had experienced on her way. No longer was she alone and frightened, worried about what might happen to her, but now she spent most of the ride in the marquess’s luxurious carriage talking with him and occasionally doing other things…

While she preferred ink, she took to using a pencil on a traveling desk in the coach so she could continue to write when the urge took over. She was very near to finishing. She would be pleased to turn in the manuscript, but there was none of the urgency she’d felt before.

It was odd being back in London with completely different circumstances. She was a married woman now. One of means. She was able to visit the modiste and the bookstore without anyone looking askance.

She’d even met a few women her age and she and Shay had received invitations to societal events.

Shay was happy to go with her. He was pleasant to their hosts and charming to her new acquaintances. But something was wrong.

He’d taken to spending more and more time in his study alone, instead of sitting with her in the library as she wrote. When he came to bed, it was very late, and more than a few times he’d been out all night long.

She started to wonder if this business he’d spoken of had something to do with a mistress. Not being one to stay quiet she asked him when he came downstairs late the following morning.

“Do you have a mistress?” she said, not sweetening the question in anyway. Like her mysteries she knew a person’s reaction to a question often told more than the answer they gave.

Shay’s brows came together and he shook his head.

“No. I’ve never had a mistress. Never needed one for I had invitations from widows. And now, if you haven’t heard, I’m a married man, and I’d not betray my vows. Do you truly think I would keep a mistress when I’m married to you?”

“Guilty people often answer a question with another question.”

He chuckled, clearly unperturbed by her questioning. That spoke to his innocence.

“No, Thea. I do not have a mistress.” He held her gaze as he spoke, something he’d not been able to do previously when he’d lied to her about being all right when he was not.

“I believe you. But you’ve been out all hours and I do wonder what kind of business is conducted so late at night.” She wanted him to confide in her so she might put her worries to rest, but he didn’t.

“It’s nothing for you to worry about. How is the book coming along?” he asked and she was sure he was attempting to distract her. Her brother had done as much when he started selling off their belongings.

“The book is nearly done. You are falling behind on the pages I’ve finished.”

“I’m sorry. I will have time to catch up after…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but she knew better than to ask what he was going to say. Instead, she asked a different question.

“Are you gambling?”

“I—no. I’m not gambling. I would not do that knowing how much it would worry you. But again, I’m not like Stephen. Not all men who gamble are obsessed with it like he is. Do you understand?”

She nodded. She knew that was true. What she didn’t know was why he wouldn’t just tell her what he was doing. The fact it was a secret made her wary.

She didn’t think Shay would lie to her, but he had before.