Page 51 of Vying for a Viscount
She took his hand, and they crossed the room to sit on the settee. “We haven’t had time to talk.” He rubbed his thumb across the top of her soft, bare hand. He loved it when dinner ended, and usually nobody put their gloves back on.
“How was your time at Danbury Estate?”
“Fine. I was worried over nothing. The manager has everything under control and is doing an excellent job.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Perhaps you won’t have to leave London for a while.”
“Perhaps.” He couldn’t really say one way or the other. What he did know was that he needed a different excuse if he was sent on another assignment soon.
Charity clinked her sherry glass to get everyone’s attention. “I think I speak for Greyson, Letitia, and myself,” she nodded at both of them, “when I say how happy we are about the engagement of two wonderful couples, Anastasia and Hunter, and Aurora and Warren. May you have happy, fruitful, and loving lives.” She placed her empty sherry glass on the sideboard. “I’m going to retire and give you happy couples time to yourselves.”
“Shall I take you home?” Letitia’s eyes widened, and Greyson quickly added, “I hoped we could spend some time alone.”
Her lips curved into a teasing smile. “You did, did you? I think that can be arranged. Except who is going to chaperone?”
Greyson jumped up and hurried out of the room, frantically looking for Charity. He ran down the stairs. His pounding heart subsided when he found her in the entry hall, speaking to Henderson. “Charity, I need you back in the drawing room.”
She didn’t appear shocked by his statement as she slipped her arm through his. “Are you going somewhere?”
“I’m escorting Letitia home.”
“And when will you return?”
“My dear, Charity.” He winked. “That is none of your business. But I would be forever grateful if you would stay in the drawing room with my sisters until Hunter and Warren leave.”
After saying their goodbyes, they left in the Danbury family carriage with a matching set of four. Greyson wished he’d never gone away, because there was a distance between them tonight he didn’t care for. Like now, as they rode in silence, it was not the comfortable silence they sometimes shared. He hoped to break it. “Did you doanything interesting while I was gone?”
“Yes. I spent most of my time with Simon. We went riding in Hyde Park and spent time outdoors in Rutherford Manor’s gardens. Simon loves chasing bugs and bees.”
He loved hearing the happiness in her voice when she talked about her son. But his heart also dropped. For the first time in his life, he couldn’t wait to get married and have children of his own with Letitia. Could he wait a month before proposing? Would his sisters mind if he didn’t wait? He didn’t know if he could. He wanted the woman beside him to have his name, his heart, and his soul. She already had the latter two.
The carriage stopped. He opened the door, climbed out, and leaned in with his hand out. “My lady.”
She giggled as she slipped her hand into his. “You’re certainly being charming this evening.”
“I’m trying.” And he was. He’d never really courted anyone before, so he could only hope he was doing it right.
“We should get inside. It’s cold, and the nosy neighbors are probably watching us from their windows.”
“Really?”
“Perhaps. Although I have good neighbors, I wouldn’t want to test their desire to spread gossip.”
“Then by all means, let us get inside.” He tugged on her hand, and they hurried up the stairs and into the entry hall, since Mr. Henry had the door open by the time they reached the top step.
Greyson handed his greatcoat and gloves to Mr. Henry, then assisted Letitia in removing her cloak.
“That will be all for the night, Mr. Henry.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Greyson had a moment of weakness because he was afraid to look at Mr. Henry and see the disapproval on his face. Except he was only looking out for his mistress, and he appreciated that. He just didn’twant the steady butler to protect her from him.
When they were alone in the entry hall, Letitia whispered, “Did you tell your driver to leave? People will definitely gossip if your carriage stays outside my townhouse all night.”
He hadn’t wanted to be presumptuous, but he had told his driver to leave. It wasn’t that far to his family home. “I did, knowing I could walk home if I needed to.” She slipped her arm through his and led the way up two flights of stairs and down a corridor, where she opened the door to her chambers. “We could’ve gone to Club Knight.”
After they entered, she closed and locked the door. “I know, and I thought about it. I told my maid I was not to be disturbed. She takes her job very seriously.”
