Page 53 of Duke with a Deception
His wife.
And as he collapsed against her, scarcely able to catch his breath, he didn’t have a single regret.
CHAPTER 9
“I’ve missed you.”
Verity smiled at her oft-overbearing brother, fondness for him taking precedence over the outrage she still felt on behalf of her husband. How she hated that Everett and King, formerly such close chums, were at daggers drawn. And she despaired even more that it was all her fault.
“I’ve missed you as well, brother,” she allowed reluctantly, for she had, despite his stubborn oafishness.
Apparently, Everett had missed her so much that he had decided to greet her in the entryway as she handed off her wrap, gloves, and hat. It was sweet, his brotherly eagerness. But she also hoped it hadn’t been spurred by unwarranted worry.
“It has been a fortnight since I last saw you,” he grumbled, offering her his arm.
She finished handing off her outerwear and accepted the offer, nestling her hand in the crook of his elbow. “If I had gone on my honeymoon, you wouldn’t have seen me until now either,” she pointed out.
“Yes, but you didn’t go on it, did you? Are the two of you still intending to do so? You certainly deserve to have a honeymoon,though I wouldn’t particularly care for the notion of the two of you alone at Wingfield Hall together.”
“What manner of trouble do you imagine we would find ourselves in?”
Everett shuddered, escorting her to the drawing room. “I shouldn’t like to even contemplate it. Is he treating you well?”
She was surprised it had taken him this long to inquire after King. “My husband is treating me wonderfully.”
And King had been. Although the early days of their marriage had begun in an unexpected manner, he had spent the last two weeks being the consummate husband in almost all ways. He danced attendance on her, joining her for breakfast, luncheon, and dinner. In the bedchamber, he was attentive to her pleasure in a way that never failed to make her melt.
Indeed, she was happier than she could ever recall being.
Except for one thing.
King remained distant when it came to Emma. He had also refused to further discuss what had happened to his daughter. His old wounds still required healing. But they had time—the rest of their lives.
“Wonderfully, hmm?” Everett repeated, his tone skeptical.
“Yes,wonderfully,” she repeated, her voice firm. “And if you think I have come here to beg you to save me from my marriage, you are thoroughly wrong and doomed for disappointment. I am more contented than I ever hoped to be as King’s wife.”
To her relief, they reached the drawing room, and he allowed her statement to stand.Mamanand her sister-in-law, Sybil, already awaited them within, a tea tray at the ready.
“Look at what I found at our door,” Everett announced.
Mamanand Sybil greeted her with the same cheer and enthusiasm her brother had shown. Pleasantries were exchanged as they sat down to afternoon tea.
“Whyever is His Grace not accompanying you, dearest?”Mamanasked.
Verity paused mid-chew of the tart she had selected and gave her brother a pointed stare. Everett returned her regard, obstinate and unrepentant as ever. It seemed the task of telling their mother that her husband had not received an invitation would be left to her.
She finished chewing. “Because my brother made it more than apparent that Kingham was not welcome when I paid my call today.”
Verity had been insistent upon refusing, but King had urged her to accept.
I’ll not get in the way of your relationship with your brother, he had told her.Even if I do think he’s often possessed of worse manners than the hind end of a horse.
In the end, she had decided to accept the invitation, if only to prove to her nettlesome brother how very contented she was.
“Riverdale,”Mamanchastised, sounding truly affronted. “Why would you do such a dreadful thing?”
Everett gave their mother a look of grim distaste. “You know the reason, madam.”
