Page 78 of In Need of a Duke
“Please, Honeybee. I can’t make up for what I did, but I am here now. Give me a chance.”
CHAPTER 21
He hadn’t meantto share that thought. About how they would have a child now, too afraid that Charlotte would push him away.
Instead, she held his hand in the carriage the entire way home as if she understood his hurt as well. They never said another word.
Yes, he had returned for an heir. But it wasn’t as simple if he were being honest. Because he had hated his wife, how she continued with her life as he fled and hid from his. Ian’s damn pride had gotten in the way.
And all he had to show for it was a wife who wished to leave him while he fought to show her that they were worth a second chance.
When they returned home from the seminary, Charlotte had asked to rest. Considering they didn’t sleep much the night before, Ian didn’t protest. She would need her sleep for what he had planned that evening.
He dressed for dinner and then knocked on her door. Charlotte was curled up in her bed, staring at the fire.
“I will get up, I promise. It’s only I’m so comfortable here,” she said, stretching.
“You don’t need to if you don’t wish.”
She rolled her head over the pillow, narrowing her eyes. “I don’t understand.”
“I arranged to have dinner in my room. I’m here to escort you.” He bowed, trying his best to remain lighthearted. “And I have another surprise for you.”
“You are very strange now,” she said, then shut her eyes and laughed. “I promise that sounded much better in my head. I only mean…”
He chuckled, cocking his head as her blue eyes shined bright.
“Well, you are…interested.”
“Should I not be?”
“You spent our entire marriage not interested.”
“But before?” He dropped his head, arching a brow.
“You were interested,” she said with a smile. “Definitely so.”
“Good, we agree.” He ducked back out into the hallway before Susan entered, juggling a pile of boxes. “I have reached out to several other modistes in Town and asked them to design a dress for you. If you find one that you like, we can visit and see that they work on your wardrobe. When you are done?—”
“Wait.”
Ian paused, holding on to the door and leaning back. His normally perfectly swept-back hair fell by his temple giving him a rakish appearance.
“You could stay.”
He glanced toward Susan, who then peeked toward Charlotte and quickly exited the room and shut the door behind her.
“You’ve done it now, Honeybee.” He approached the bed and bent down to give her a kiss.
She surprised him by grabbing his cravat and drew him closer to her once more.
“How so?” she whispered against his mouth.
“Susan will tell everyone.”
The soft, throaty chuckle she issued was fire to his veins. The temptation of her, the promise of her…
“Dinner will be ready shortly, and as much as I would like to continue?—”
