Page 26 of A Father's Insistence

Chapter Thirteen

Theodore

Ithrow my car keys into the pot on a table in the entrance hall where I keep them. Today has been a complete waste of my time. A wild-goose chase around most of London with little result. My first meeting didn’t bother to show up, no doubt paid off by the Cavendish brothers, and my second one disappeared halfway through when I mentioned I was married to Joanna. I’ve no idea what his problem is, no doubt something to do with her father. I’ve been doing some research on Earl Linton, and it seems he’s not as innocent as he makes himself out to be. I wonder if Joanna is aware he was once arrested for rape, but all the charges were dropped when the victim was found dead. A rather convenient death he couldn’t be linked to, so he got away with the whole thing. I think I’ll keep a better eye on him. It’s crossed my mind before he could be a spy for the Cavendish brothers. The last thing I need is for them to know our plans before we’re in a position to implement them.

I need to lose the tension in my body, and my beautiful wife is the only person who can do that for me. I didn’t like leaving her still sleeping this morning. I wanted to wake her and take her again, but she looked so serene and peaceful, curled up in a little ball, so I decided not to disturb her. I start for the stairs leading to our bedroom, and taking the steps two at a time, my cock hardens with every step.

“Theo.” I spin around when I hear my wife’s voice coming from behind me, and in no time at all, she’s in my arms, and I’m pressing my lips to hers.

“I missed you.” I can’t help but notice the way her body tenses, and how her eyes fail to meet mine. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” The answer is quick, probably too quick.

“Joanna, is it about what happened last night?” My cock rapidly deflates at the thought it was too much for her, and she’s suffering because of me making love to her.

“No, no. I promise you. I’m a little sore, but it was perfect.” She shuffles her feet on the floor still looking away from me.

“Then look at me and tell me what’s the matter because I know something is?” I place a finger under her chin and tilt it up, so I can meet her sapphire eyes.

“I made something for you, but I’m not sure if you’re going to like it.”

Cocking my head, I raise a suspicious eyebrow.

“What is it?”

She holds her hand out.

“This way.”

Following Joanna through the house, she leads me to the busy kitchen. Staff are running around preparing dinner. The mouth-watering scent of roast beef wafts in the air, and my stomach rumbles. If I’m not going to be having sex with my wife, anytime soon, then a roast dinner is the perfect way of relaxing me, especially if it comes with a full-bodied red wine and Joanna at my side.

“Where are we going?”

The staff get quickly out of our way as Joanna leads me into the part of the kitchen that’s used for making sweet confectionery. Sitting on a table in the middle of the room is a cake.

“You made me a cake?” I question.

“Yes, it’s a Dorset apple cake…my grandmother’s recipe. The chef helped me a little bit as I couldn’t remember a couple of the processes, but it’s been so much fun to do. It felt normal.”

I press a kiss to her forehead in gratitude.

“It looks beautiful. Am I allowed a slice?”

“Of course.” Joanna reaches forward and pulls a knife from next to the cake and cuts me a large slice. She places it on a plate and hands it to me. My butler enters the room, at that point, with a cup of what appears to be tea in his hand.

“Lady Hamilton insisted this is the best tea to drink with her cake.” He places the tea down, bows, and leaves.

I bring the slice of cake to my mouth and take a bite. The apple, cinnamon, and crisp sugar topping elicits a moan of pleasure from my mouth.

“It’s delicious.” I take another bite and then a sip of tea. “Perfect.”

“You really like it?” Joanna stands hopeful on her tiptoes.

“Don’t tell the chef, but I think it’s better than his cakes.”

I give her another kiss to the forehead and quickly wipe away the crumbs I leave there.

“I loved making it with my grandmother. It was something I liked to do whenever I was upset. It’s normal, so very normal, and it’s just what I need before…” She shuts her eyes when she says the final words. I put the half-eaten slice down.

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