Page 89 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
“I did.”
“Good. I’ll look at them soon.”
Nicholas smiled tiredly. “Thank you.”
Theo shook his head. “No, thankyou. Because of you, I’ve been able to enjoy this time away from my responsibilities.”
Nicholas had been acting in Theo’s stead in the House of Lords. Provided he didn’t speak up too much and wore the appropriate attire, no one seemed to notice the difference between them.
Nicholas dropped his gaze. “It was the least I could do after landing you in the parson’s noose. I must say, I’m relieved to hear it hasn’t been all bad.”
“You were right about Kate,” Theo admitted. “She’s special.”
“I’m glad.”
“I’ll attempt to return to parliament soon. The only thing that might delay me is the fact that we are expecting.”
“Expecting? Expecting what?” Nicholas’s jaw dropped. “Wait a moment. Are you saying that the viscountess is with child?”
Theo nodded ruefully. “I can’t say I’ve been as calm about it as I should have been.”
Nicholas whistled. “Of course you haven’t. You’ve experienced several miscarriages and, well, with what happened with Elizabeth, it’s hardly surprising that you’d be nervous. Don’t worry about rushing back to the House of Lords. Provided you summarize the salient points to me and tell me how I oughtto vote, I’m happy to continue as we are until the current session is concluded.”
A knock at the door startled them both. Theo’s heart rate picked up, and he lunged for the handle and pulled it open, hoping to find Kate on the other side. Instead, it was Mr. Giles. His stomach sank.
Mr. Giles dipped his head. “My Lord, I know it isn’t for me to question Lady Blackwell, but she just summoned a carriage and went outside. She wasn’t dressed for the weather, and even if she were, I don’t think anyone ought to be venturing out. The snow is falling thickly, and the wind….”
Theo’s throat tightened, and he tried to draw in a slow breath but found himself gasping for air. “Lady Blackwell has gone out into the snow?” he choked out, rubbing his chest to ease the pain.
“Yes,” Mr. Giles said with a grimace. “She took a canvas. I think she intended to park the carriage somewhere and paint.”
Fuck.
What a ludicrous idea.
It shouldn’t surprise him, though. He already knew that Kate liked to retreat to her art when she was distressed. But why couldn’t she have done so from within the safety of their home?
He looked out the window, and a chill swept through his insides. The clouds were shades of white and gray, the trees in the distance whipped back and forth in the wind, and snow was starting to cover the ground once again.
He couldn’t help but remember the day he pleaded with his father not to go out into the storm. His father never came back. And as for taking a carriage…. If the roads were muddy, there was no guarantee she’d be safe even if she didn’t intend to go far.
What the hell was she thinking?
“I’m going after her.” He started toward the door, then paused and grabbed his coat and hat from the wardrobe. Hedidn’t want to delay, but getting himself into trouble because he hadn’t taken a few seconds to prepare wouldn’t help anyone.
“Do you think you can catch her?” Nicholas asked, jogging to keep pace with Theo as he pushed out of the bedchamber and rushed along the corridor.
“If I go on horseback.” It would be safer to travel on foot, but he had no chance of catching up to the carriage that way.
“Be careful.” Nicholas grabbed his arm, forcing Theo to stop and face him. “I’m serious. Don’t be reckless.”
Theo tore out of Nicholas’s grip and was about to lambaste him for slowing him down when he caught sight of his eyes and stopped. They were wide, the whites showing.
Nicholas was scared.
Not for himself, but for Theo. After all, they’d both lost their father in that storm. He probably feared losing his brother just as much as Theo feared losing his wife.
“I will,” Theo promised.
