Page 68 of A Gentleman's Wife

“Are you all right? Truly?” she asked.

Thomas leaned into her touch and longed to rest in the comfort she offered, to spill the whole truth of the terrible scenarios from the day, but he couldn’t. Not yet. He planned to tell her everything––about his grandfather’s demands, about Lady Slanton’s intentions––but he didn’t want to increase her stress or do anything that would make her health worse, until he knew for certain. That their marriage was secure, that she had no reason to fear.

“I’ll be all right so long as you are by my side,” Thomas said, taking her hand from his face and kissing her palm before wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close. She melted against him with a sigh, and they rode the rest of the way home in the darkness of the carriage, purely content.

Upon arriving at Primrose House, Marianne made her way upstairs with Eliza to change out of her dress clothes, but Thomas was stopped by Collins before he could follow after her.

“Urgent post for you, sir. From the duke.”

Thomas fairly ripped open the letter and urgently read its contents:

Please do not consider your request an impertinence, my friend. If you’re not able to trust your grandfather’s solicitor, then by all means, please consult with mine. He should arrive first thing in the morning, and there is also a local lawyer here whom I trust implicitly. We can examine your marriage contract together to ensure its security and validity. Isabel and I look forward to your visit at Wynnwood Park, however brief it may be.

Awaiting your arrival,

James

Thomas let out a sigh of relief. It was as he’d hoped, though he couldn’t linger in the arms of his beloved like he wanted to. Instead, he would have to endure traveling through the night. But it was the only way to ensure he would be able to enjoy the rest of his life with Marianne by his side.

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