Page 37 of A Gentleman's Wife

“And have you seen my wife since breakfast?”

“I believe she went to the music room, sir.”

Thomas thanked her before heading on his way. He approached the room quietly, so as not to disturb whatever musical attempts she had taken on. He had hoped that if her love of music was anything similar to her love of horses, she would brave that as well. But as he drew near to the double doors, he did not hear a sound.

Gently opening the doors, he looked around and almost assumed the room was empty. But then he spotted her, lying on the settee fast asleep with a blanket spread over her skirts and feet. Whatever fire had been brewing in the fireplace was now embers and ashes, which left the room feeling nearly as cold as it was outdoors.

He crouched down and placed two new logs on the fire, stoking the coals with the poker to generate a small flame. Then he turned and at the sight of his wife, his breath caught in his chest. It was easy enough to recognize the emotion there, something far beyond a platonic worry or concern for her condition, more than his protective nature and desire to guard her from people like her own parents. Marianne was a wonder, with thoughts and passions of her own, who was only barely starting to figure out who she was. He’d caught glimpses of her cheeky personality, and he wanted more. More of her, in whatever form that was.

He wanted all of her.

The thought brought him to his feet, and he leaned against the hearth with his mind whirling. Did he love his wife? When had such a thing happened? How could he have missed the moment their easy friendship had shifted into something more? He cast his eyes to Marianne. Searching his heart, he was surprised to find it void of any affection for Lady Finley, now Countess Slanton. He’d been certain he would mourn her for some time, but as it turned out, she had been quickly replaced. Did that make him a fickle man or a wise man, to recognize which of the two was truly a quality woman?

After his conversation with Mr. Sanders, there was so much Thomas wanted to ask her. Would she return those same feelings he’d developed? Should he try to win her heart over time or remain silent? He was desperate to know, but it would have to wait. She was resting now, and she would need all her strength to face the next day’s ball. He would be with her to support her through the whole thing, and once it was over, they could have more conversations about what their future would look like.

Thomas walked across the room, reaching out to lift her blanket and cover her shoulders. Unable to resist, he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead and moved to leave, where Eliza stood smiling in the doorway.

Nodding in a brief acknowledgement, Thomas was grateful she waited until he closed the doors before she spoke.

“She’s not been sleeping well at night, I’m afraid,” Eliza explained. “I believe it’s nerves for the ball, which I hope will mean she’ll be sleeping better once it’s over.”

“Thank you for telling me. I tried to suggest we push the date for her health, but she insisted.”

“Yes, my mistress is a stubborn one,” Eliza said with a smile.

“Indeed. One of the many things I love about her.”

Thomas wasn’t able to catch the words before they slipped out. Eliza’s eyes went wide, and then puddled with tears before he even had a chance to explain.

“Do you really?” she asked, her voice nearly rising to a squeak. “You’re not just saying that? Are you in love with her?”

Trying to dismiss the heat that flamed his face, Thomas nodded. “I do care for her a great deal. I know you’ve worried for Marianne a good part of her life, and I hope you know you can entrust her to me.”

Eliza sniffed, blinking away her tears and shaking her hands by her side. “I’d hug you right now if it were proper, sir. She’s an excellent woman, which I’m glad you can see. Marianne thought for so long she’d be a spinster, and I was happy to live my life by her side taking care of her. But she has you now, doesn’t she?”

Thomas glanced back at the music room doors, carefully choosing his next words.

“Eliza, would you ever consider taking up another position?”

She gasped, her eyes going wide. “Are you talking about sacking me?” she whispered.

Thomas chuckled. “Not in the least. Never… unless, there was perhaps a certain gentleman who expressed an interest in you.”

“Oh.” Eliza’s round face turned bright red, just as Mr. Sanders’s had. “Well, I… he’s a proper gentleman, so I didn’t give myself any room to hope, but he did mention…”

“I’m happy to support the match, but I’m not sure what that means for Marianne. Would she be willing to give you up?”

Eliza folded her hands across her apron, also turning her eyes to the music room doors. “I couldn’t abandon her, could I? Not without a well-trained replacement as a lady’s maid. And knowing with certainty that she would be well looked after.” She gave him a pointed look.

“I understand,” Thomas said. “We can discuss it more after the ball.”

She nodded, bobbed a curtsy, and disappeared, and Thomas felt hopeful for the first time in a long while.

---