Page 28 of Pursuing a Duke
He chuckled. “You would be correct.” He picked up the teapot and poured the hot liquid into two teacups. “Cream and sugar?” he asked with a smile.
“Sugar and a splash of cream.” She looked impressed with him.
Once he had added her accoutrements, he handed her the cup and saucer and asked, “Would you like a biscuit?”
“Not just yet. Thank you.”
“As you wish.” He relaxed back into the settee and sipped his tea with sugar only. The warmth soothed him, as did the woman beside him. He had no idea why he’d almost had a breakdown this past hour. He’d not been fit for company, yet she’d stayed with him. “I must apologize again for letting my mind suck me into a dark place. It wasn’t fair to you. It won’t happen again.”
“Andrew,” she said with a stern voice he didn’t think he’d ever heard from her. “Do not hide from me, please. If you are troubled, I would rather you share with me or someone else, perhaps Caldwell or Langford, than have it wallow inside you until you burst. I, of all people, know what it’s like to keep my feelings of angst to myself until they eventually come out and hurt someone else. For me, it’s my mother. Thank goodness she understands and still loves me. It’s hard dealing with issues from our past. We want to think we are invincible and don’t needanyone to help us, but sometimes we do. Sometimes, we need help dealing with our demons.”
“You are a wise woman.” She understood what he was still going through. It didn’t surprise him, since she had dealt with the death of a husband. And three close friends had abandoned her at her time of need. He had gone off drinking and gambling, and Caldwell and Langford had buried their grief in their business and took to their ships, and then he’d joined them.
“You should go rest before dinner,” he said as the clock chimed and he noticed how time had gotten away from them.
“Oh my, look at the time.” She stood, and he did as well. “Are you coming?”
“No. I believe I will stay here.” He kissed her cheek. “I will see you for dinner.”
“Yes.”
His eyes followed her as she gracefully exited the library, taking all the light and warmth from the room.
