Page 34 of The Odyssean Duke

They halted by the wall, far away from the other lords and ladies who were clustered around the Egyptian artifacts. Evelina glanced at her sister, a prick of guilt stirring in her chest. Theodora had wanted to view the Egyptian artifacts, and Evelina felt as though she had deprived her sister of all potential enjoyment by wanting guidance on her impending marriage.

“Do not let me disturb you,” Evelina said softly. “I know that you wished to see the museum today, and I do not want you to be so occupied with my problems that you do not enjoy yourself.”

Theodora shook her head. “Do not distress yourself over that!” she exclaimed. “I can do both.”

Evelina glanced at the artifacts, which were too far away for either of them to properly appreciate. “I think I really just need some time with my thoughts,” she said. “You have given me much to consider.”

That was true, although Evelina was uncertain that she really appreciated what Theodora had given her. It was an impossible problem. If Evelina married His Grace quickly, there would be no time for a courtship—much less for her to learn much about the man. However, if she delayed, the Duke of Rothbury might well decide to pursue other options. Then, where would she be?

Oh, Evelina supposed she could always renew her search for another man who might understand and be willing to give what she wanted! But that was a bitter medicine to swallow when she was so close to having what she desperately desired.

“Do you wish to be alone?” Theodora asked, her voice infinitely gentle.

“Yes,” Evelina said. “I think so.”

Her sister cast her a soft look. “I will be nearby.”

“Thank you.”

As Evelina watched her sister drift closer to the Egyptian artifacts, it was as though a great weight was lifted from her shoulders. Theodora was enjoying the exhibit once more.

If only Evelina’s marriage concerns could be assuaged so easily! She smiled wryly, her thoughts drifting to the man who had captured her attention, more from circumstance than anything else. Everything Theodora suggested was sound advice. In a perfect world, Evelinawouldhave a husband who loved her and a child, but this was not a perfect world. If Evelina could only have one of those two, she knew what her choice had to be.

CHAPTER 14

She was an exquisite beauty even amongst the exquisite beauties before him. Stephan could have sworn that his heart stopped when he gazed at her slender form, her white gown sweeping over her delicate curves. He wondered what it might be like to run his fingers through the burnished curls held together with pearl-tipped pins and how his lips might feel when pressed against that lovely, swan-like neck. The Dowager Countess of Thornwall had halted before a marble sculpture of Aphrodite, entirely nude.

He straightened his spine, his heart thundering in his chest. Stephan had been invited to the museum to help with raising funding to increase the Greek aisle, but it seemed as though he had been waylaid along the way. Was it foolish of him to think that the lady was lovelier than any bronze statue he might find in the aisle? Likely. He was not marrying her out of any real affection, after all. She was to be a wife of convenience, a means to give him the heir that he needed in order to maintain the wealth needed to sustain the dukedom.

Still…

A selfish, masculine part of him delighted in the thought of having such a beautiful wife. It would be no hardship to take her to his bed each night and watch her come undone under his ministrations. She continued walking, and he watched the elegant sway of her hips, the way her hands fidgeted, and her brow furrowing as she continued. The lady did not seem aware of his presence, and he wondered what she must be thinking about for the matter to have captured her attention so thoroughly.

He approached her, a spark of mischief burning inside him. How long would it take the lady to realize that she was watched? Stephan had nearly reached her, could hold out his hand and touch her gown if he so desired, when she halted abruptly and gasped. “Your Grace!”

The Dowager Countess of Thornwall’s eyes darted about, as though she sought to flee but could find no escape.

Stephan grinned. “Why are you here, my lady? You ought to be visiting your solicitors.”

She straightened her spine, all impressions that she might flee banished at once from her face. “I have already visited several solicitors,” she replied primly. “Thank you for your concern.”

Stephan clasped his hands behind his back, although he ached to touch her. “Then, you are prepared to sayyes?”

“I already told you that I would be, only that I desired agreeable terms for myself,” she said. “If you must know, I came here with my sister to ask if her husband would be willing to act as my trustee, and he has thankfully agreed. I will not ask you to wait much longer, Your Grace.”

“Good,” he said. “Because I do not have time to wait. I must have you with child as quickly as possible.”

“I am aware,” she said, dropping a hand to her stomach as if she was imagining the baby there. “And I have the same wish, simply not at the expense of myself. If I do not look after my own welfare, who will, Your Grace?”

When she was pregnant with his heir,hewould look after her, but Stephan did not say so. He had seen how her face changed when he last expressed a desire to see to her health while she was with child; she had been vexed by the suggestion. Stephan did not quite know why she would be, but he knew that it was best not to provoke the woman.

“You seemed dismissive of the idea of having ahome,” the Dowager Countess of Thornwall said suddenly. “Why is that?”

He frowned and looked askance at her. “You have a good memory.”

“Did you truly not miss it for the ten years that you were away?” she asked softly.

“If your definition ofhomeis simply the place that I spent my childhood or most of my adulthood, that is a poor definition,” Stephan said. “I am not like Odysseus with a loving wife and son waiting for me.”