Page 36 of The Viscount Needs a Wife (All for Love #2)

Annis woke to Emrys wrapped round her as usual and lay enjoying it for several minutes, her thoughts roaming back over Charlie’s nightmare and Emrys’s response.

It was clear to her that he felt some kind of responsibility, as if Caro’s defection was his fault.

She clenched her teeth. Annis was generally a forgiving kind of person, but the thought of that woman brought tears of rage to her eyes.

How could she hurt him and those precious babies so?

It was beyond her comprehension how anyone could reject Emrys.

He was perfect, the most wonderful husband any woman could ask for.

Her love for him, never far from the surface, surged up and engulfed her.

I love him fiercely! And his darling children who are mine now to protect and love.

Emrys snuffled and stirred, his arms tightening round her.

“Thank God you’re still here,” he muttered.

“Where else would I be?” she asked, looking up at him.

“Hm?” He opened his eyes and blinked. “What?”

She smiled and patted his chest. “Nothing.”

He snugged her close and sighed. “What are we going to do about Charlie?”

“Be consistent and reliable,” Annis traced patterns in his chest hair with a fingertip. “She needs to rebuild her trust that adults won’t abandon her.”

“How do you know these things?”

“I grew up an orphan. I had no father figure in my life, just Aunt Janet.” He squeezed her in silent sympathy.

“She was kind but strict, and very protective. She did everything she could to make me feel secure. It was only after she died that I fully realized how much she did to protect me. And how much she didn’t tell me about what was really going on, how much of my truth had been an illusion.

” She looked up at him. “It destroyed my sense of trust in the world and people. I was an adult when that happened, but even so, it was difficult.”

He dropped a kiss on her hair and gave her another squeeze.

“Charlie is a child,” Annis continued. “It’s much harder for her.

We need to be patient with her and as I said, consistent and reliable, but not overly indulgent.

We shouldn’t pander to her fear—that will increase it.

But we should show understanding of it. You did everything right last night.

You were honest with her and reassuring, without making promises you can’t keep, like that you will never leave her side. ”

He sighed. “How do you manage to always have the answers?”

“I don’t think I do in most situations. But in this particular case, I feel I’m on safe ground to recommend a path forward. Lizzie was a great help last night, too. Her faith in you was probably more effective than anything you could say or do.”

“Yes, she is splendid, isn’t she?” He grinned, pride wafting off him in waves.

“As I said last night, extraordinary. They all are.” Annis swallowed a sudden lump in her throat. “I feel very privileged to be their step-mama.”

“A wonderful one you are, too,” he said, kissing her hair again.

A warm flood of happiness washed through her at his praise, and she nuzzled her face into his chest. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you for your words of wisdom. Patience, consistency, and reliability—I can do that.”

She patted his chest. “Yes, you can, because you embody those traits absolutely.”

He grinned. “I do, don’t I? Who’d have thought that just being myself would be the right thing for once? Perhaps there is something to be said for being an ordinary fellow, after all.”

“You are not ordinary,” said Annis indignantly. “Like your children, you are quite extra ordinary. Kind and patient and reliable are rare traits to be prized.”

“You think so?”

“I do.” Annis said firmly, her heart thudding and spilling over with love for him.

How she wished she could say what she was feeling.

But his confusion and anger over Caroline just underlined how much further he had to go in that regard.

She needed to keep her feelings to herself and not muddy the waters further. For now.

He rubbed her upper arm. “You’re the extraordinary one.” He tipped her chin up and kissed her. “Not sure what I’ve done to deserve you,” he said, husky voiced.

“Oh, Emrys!” she choked. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you!”

“Now I’ve made you cry!” he said, dismayed.

“No, just happy tears, really!” she said wiping them away with her fingers and sniffing. “See? All gone.”

“Hm,” he kissed her again. “I’m convinced you’re the best wife a man ever had.”

“And you’re the best husband,” she said mistily. “And the best father.” she added.

He sighed. “If only that were true.”

“Back to Charlie,” she said firmly, dragging the conversation out of dangerous territory.

She was in grave danger of spilling all her feelings out if they kept this up.

“I shall speak to Mrs. Green about the approach we have agreed on. I’m sure she will concur; she is a sensible woman. We are lucky to have her.”

“Yes, I don’t know where Sarah found her, but she is a treasure,” agreed Emrys. He moved a hand lower to rest on her hip and squeezed. “I am tempted to drag you under the covers, but we should probably get up,” he said.

“Yes, we should. I have a lot to do today. The decorator is coming, to go over new designs for the house. Do you want to be consulted?”

“Good God, no! I trust your taste—it’s impeccable. Do what you think is fitting. Just send me the bills,” he said, throwing off the covers and rolling out of bed.