Page 25 of A Gentleman's Wife

Thomas’s smile grew wide. “Why don’t you go ask him?”

Glove forgotten, Marianne rushed in an unladylike fashion to the steps where the doctor stood and reached out her left hand to take his.

“Mr. Sanders!” she exclaimed. “What a surprise! I have no words to express how glad I am to see you.”

“And I you, Miss Taylor. Or you’re Mrs. Ramsbury now, aren’t you?” Mr. Sanders looked to Eliza and nodded. “I was worried about you when I learned you’d gone off and gotten married, but I’m no longer needed at your father’s house, and your husband here was very gracious to invite me to see you. I might even relocate if I can get my affairs into order.” He paused, as if having said too much, then went on. “But I wanted to make sure you were taken care of first. There aren’t many who specialize in your situation, so you’re to have as much salve and as many visits as you like.”

Marianne nodded, cheeks hurting from smiling so. “Yes, please. You must stay and visit. Let’s go inside and have some tea.”

Mr. Sanders nodded, then turned to Eliza and they walked inside together.

But before Marianne could follow, she turned to find her husband, who was walking up behind her. Before he could say anything, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed herself to his chest.

“Thank you,” she whispered. His abundance of generosity had made her brave, and it wasn’t unseemly for a woman to embrace her husband. Just because it had never been part of their relationship before didn’t mean it couldn’t be now.

His arms settled around her, a pleasant pressure holding her against him. “You’re very welcome. It’s something I should have done much sooner. Not just so you would have the proper care, but so you feel you have a friend. You have me and Eliza, but if that’s not enough…”

“It is more than enough.” Taking a hold of his chin in her hand, she turned it to one side and stood on tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek. “You can’t know how much I appreciate all you do.”

As he turned his gaze back to her, a gentle smile slowly spread across his lips, and his eyes skittered across her face. “It’s my pleasure.”

Marianne knew she needed to pull away, that his mouth was too close to hers, that his arms felt too inviting, but she didn’t want to. So she was grateful when he stepped back first, offering her his arm, and led her back into the house, while she bore a smile on her lips she couldn’t shake away.

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