Chapter Twenty-Two
As the carriage drew up to the entrance to the Bedford townhouse, Alex adjusted his breeches, doing the best he could to hide where two buttons had popped off. Patience leaned forward as he laced up her stays and refastened her gown. She shivered as his warm lips kissed the bare skin on her shoulder.
“I must look a mess.” She tried her best to rearrange her hair into a tidy knot.
Alex nuzzled her neck. “You look beautiful. Like a woman well loved.”
Now that their lust had been spent, Patience intended to clear the air between them. She had to tell him how she felt. Saying “I love you” during the heat of passion did not signify. Telling Alex how very much she loved him when she was not naked and panting would mean so much more.
He climbed from the carriage and turned to help her down. His eyes flashing with humor, he ignored her extended hand and swept her into his arms.
“Alex, put me down!” She could not help the giggle that escaped her.
“Not on your life, Your Grace.” He turned to the driver. “Please drive to Montfort’s townhouse and advise Her Grace’s lady maid, Polly, to pack all of Her Grace’s belongings and return home.”
Patience raised one eyebrow, a smirk on her face. “Did I agree to that, Your Grace?”
“You will,” he growled. Then he stopped. “Do you want to, sweetheart? It must be your decision.”
She pretended to think on it. Then, feeling sorry for the panic she saw in his eyes, she said, “Yes. That is what I want.”
Taking a deep breath, he shifted her in his arms. He strode up the stairs, sailing through the open door.
“Good evening, Your Graces,” Monroe said, amusement in his eyes.
Patience waved as they walked by. “Good evening, Monroe.”
“Welcome home.” The staid butler actually grinned.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Alex reached the corridor and made a sharp turn to his bedchamber. Using his knee, he lifted the latch and entered his bedroom. He kicked the door closed and covered her mouth with his.
Apparently, he was ready for another session of lovemaking. Not that she objected, of course.
He set her on her feet and stared into her eyes. “Welcome home, Your Grace.”
She could not help the tears that gathered in her eyes. “It is good to be home, Your Grace.”
He quickly divested her of her clothes, as well as his own, and led her to the bed, coming down partially on top of her.
This time he was slow, gentle, and tender. Whispering words of love in her ear the entire time. She had never felt so adored in her life.
They lay entwined in each other’s arms, Alex running his fingertips over her arm. She shifted and turned to look at him. “We need to talk.”
“Yes. I agree.”
She reached up and touched his lips with her fingertip. “I want to speak first.” She paused, trying to say what was in her heart.
“I love you. Not like I loved you when we were younger. That was a youthful romance. I will always treasure the memories of our time then, but we are not the same people anymore.”
He allowed her to continue when she stopped again and took a deep breath. “I know you saw horrible things in the military service. I also know you are not the same young man I fell in love with four years ago, but you are the wonderful, strong, capable man I fell in love with after you returned.
“Loverly was a horrible man. He sold secrets to the enemy, and as you pointed out, men died because of his treachery. He kidnapped me with no regard for my well-being. I have no doubt in my mind that had you not rescued me, he would have killed me. And you, too, if he could have managed it.” She touched his cheek. “I had no right to judge you, and I hope you forgive me.”
Alex reached for her, but she stopped him. “One more thing. Had you seen fit to tell me about Loverly, I would not have been so foolish as to slip away from the footmen. I truly want the type of marriage where we are partners. I know that is unheard of, but I have had my fill of being told what to do.”
Alex pulled her to him and kissed her a gentle, caring kiss. “I love you, and if any forgiveness is needed, it is on my part. I never should have allowed you to witness that. I should have had Hawk remove you to the carriage right away.”
She smiled softly. “A lot of should haves.”
“And I agree. I have been somewhat heavy-handed with you, assuming I know what is best. I realize now that is not the type of marriage I want, either. But I cannot guarantee that I won’t always put your safety first, and do what I feel needs to be done.” He paused. “Can you accept that?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now I shall have my say.”
“I thought you already had.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Please allow me my moment, wife.”
Shifting so he faced her, he said, “As you said, Loverly was a horrible person. I had tracked him down in America and brought him back to England to face his fate. Most likely after a trial that would have scandalized his daughter—who by the way has disappeared—he would have been publicly executed. Beheaded.”
Patience winced.
“I don’t tell you that to frighten you. What I want you to understand is I was under orders from the War Department to kill Loverly, not bring him in. Once they had gotten all the information they wanted from him before he had escaped, they had no desire to face the circus of a public trial with all the War Department’s secrets and failings bandied about.
“But. And this is important, Patience. Despite my orders, at the time I was not certain I would kill Loverly. Something about a man on his knees begging for his life stops you cold. However, he reached into his pocket a mere second before I shot him. It was later determined he had a pistol. He would not have escaped with his life since Hawk, Cam, and Templeton were all there, in possession of their own pistols, but he would have killed me, and there was the possibility he would have aimed the pistol at you to punish me.”
Patience closed her eyes, all the blood draining from her head.
They both remained silent, holding each other for a few minutes.
“I want to return to the Abbey.” Alex’s words tore the ugly images from her mind and brought happiness to her heart.
“Truly?”
“Yes. I will take up my proper place in Parliament for the next session. I am still finding my way and need to spend some time at the Abbey and then travel to all my estates to see them and decide what needs to be done. I want to make it the wedding trip we never had.”
She drew circles on his chest. “I would like that.” She hesitated for a minute. “Um, there is one issue that needs to be taken into consideration regarding any future plans.”
“What is that?”
“I think I’m with child.”
Alex’s shout was heard throughout the townhouse, and most likely all of Mayfair, as well.
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