Page 36 of Revealing a Rogue
His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. Landon licked his lips. Whatever he was about to say, she sensed it was hard for him to convey. “Do you regret marrying me?”
Leaning up on her elbow, she shook her head adamantly. “No.” One hand on his cheek, she took a deep breath. “Eight years ago, I dreamed of being a barrister’s wife. Even then, I considered a union between us as a lofty, crazy wish. When you inherited the earldom, it became an impossibility. Then you became the head PORF, and I knew it was a hopeless fantasy.” She leaned over and placed her hand over his heart. “When you proposed, all that came to mind were the reasons I should not marry you.”
Landon covered her hand with his. “Then why did you agree?”
“Because I love you.” She dropped her mouth to his and infused the kiss with all the emotion she had kept bottled up.
Gasping for air, Landon drew back, “Did yousayyou love me?”
Her husband’s roles and responsibilities may have changed, but he was still a barrister at heart. She grinned and said, “I did, counsel, I did.”
Solving the puzzle of how to aid him as earl and PORF would have to wait. Today, she was going to indulge in marital relations until her husband was the one to tire first.
Chapter Seventeen
Exhausted, Landon laid the white strip of material that was once his cravat over his thigh and attempted to smooth out the wrinkles. Shaking his head, he wrapped it around his neck and tied a simple knot that Jacobs would find appalling. Since his wife’s declaration of love, the woman was tireless. He hoped his increased stamina was from the surge of invincibility he experienced when Bronwyn was close and not the clean country air. Landon eyed his wife as she readjusted her gown over her delectable breasts. Mindlessly, he grabbed his waistcoat that laid haphazardly on the opposite bench. It was still a two-day journey to London, but he could feel the weight of his responsibilities already encroaching upon him.
Jostled sideways as the coach turned off the dirt path, Landon begrudgingly shifted away from Bronwyn, whose cheeks blazed red as she hastily righted her coiffeur. He pulled back the coach window curtain. Archbroke’s manor was impressively well kept.
Squinting, Landon made out a familiar silhouette. “Theo is eagerly awaiting us. She’s bouncing on her toes like she used to when my family would visit hers at Hadfield Hall.”
Bronwyn huffed. “I’m certain Lady Archbroke would do no such thing. That would be breaking at least three of Mary’s rules.”
He leaned back and held the curtain open for his wife to see for herself that his highly respected cousin was indeed behaving like a child on Christmas morn. When she remained frozen at the window, Landon said, “I’m not one to tout when I’m correct…” He stopped mid-sentence as he took in Bronwyn’s strained features.
“The mansion is enormous. Significantly larger than Waterford’s castle. However am I to navigate such a monstrosity?”
“I expect you’ll manage without much of an issue. It’s a fairly simple structure, similar to Hadfield Hall—both buildings are easy to commandeer.”
“Maybe for you. But it took me three days to memorize Waterford’s castle. I won’t tell you how many times I opened the door to the water closet, believing it be the door to our chambers.”
“Easy mistake. You were only two doors off. I made the same mistake myself when I first visited.” Landon chuckled.
The coach door opened. Eager to stretch his legs, Landon jumped out first. Holding out his hand for Bronwyn, he waited for her to exit. When she didn’t immediately appear, he stuck his head back into the vehicle.
“Are you going to remain in here all day?”
Bronwyn fiddled with her skirts. “No.”
“I promise Archbroke won’t bite.”
“It’s not Lord Archbroke. I’ve conversed with the man many a time at my dad’s store. It’s that I dearly want to impress Lady Archbroke and…”
He reached for Bronwyn’s hand. “Theo is the sweetest person I know, and she happens to be my favorite cousin.”
“I’m certain she is lovely, kind, and the epitome of what all ladies strive to be. But Lady Archbroke is highly regarded and holds an extraordinary place in the hearts of those in the Network—especially the women.”
The mix of awe and nervousness in Bronwyn’s voice was befuddling. “While I consider Theo an angel for having married Archbroke, she is no demi-god. She is human just like you and I. Shall we go meet our hosts before Theo has my head for making her wait?”
Bronwyn grinned and took his hand. “As you wish.”
He gave her a wink. “Perhaps after the introductions I shall show you the way to our chambers.”
Barely audible foot falls had Landon rolling his shoulders back and preparing himself to great his cousin.
“Landon!” Theo’s voice was mere inches away.
He instinctively hauled his wife to his side.
