Page 67 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Nineteen

Everett awoke, histhoughts immediately turning to Addie.

Last night had been magical . . .

If he had ever worried that he and Addie did not suit physically, making love with her changed that thought. He wished he could go back to her even now and lose himself in her body.

He had intended to stay the night with her but her attitude after had been off-putting. The warm woman he had made love to suddenly went cold. That was why he had left her and returned to his own bed. He knew couples of thetonkept to their own bedchambers. Spence and Tessa were rare exceptions. Something Spence had said once let Everett know the two shared a bed.

He had hoped it would be the same with Addie. Now, he doubted it. She seemed to want her privacy and to keep her distance from him.

Once again, he hoped they would not become his parents.

He rang for Roper and the valet appeared soon after, helping Everett shave and dress for the day. He had not thought to retrieve the clothes he had shed in his wife’s bedchamber last night and supposed Bridget would return those to Roper.

“Is there anything else you require this morning, Your Grace?” the valet asked.

“No, thank you, Roper. Merely be ready to depart for Cliffside once Her Grace has breakfasted. That may be in a few hours. Make certain all my and Her Grace’s things are in the carriage.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Leaving his rooms, Everett made his way downstairs to the breakfast room, where it surprised him to find his wife already sitting there, sipping on a cup of tea.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” she said. “I have waited for you before I ordered breakfast.”

As he seated himself, he said, “I had the impression you always breakfasted in your room.”

“That is something I do during the Season,” she agreed. “However, it will be different in the country. Do you know what you wish to eat?”

“Anything is fine,” he told her.

Addie called Bailey over and instructed the butler as to what they would both have. The servant left and Everett asked, “Are you ready to depart for Cliffside?”

“Yes, Bridget has everything in hand. We only opened one of my trunks last night. How long will it take to reach your estate?” she inquired.

“It is fifty-four miles. We will have to stop once to change the horses out but if we leave shortly after we eat, we can arrive a little after one this afternoon, I would think.”

She asked him a few questions about Cliffside, which he happily answered, having lived at the estate since last autumn until his recent journey to London for the Season.

Their breakfast arrived and they ate in silence.

Once they finished, Addie told him she would be ready to leave within a quarter-hour and left the room. Everett went to his study and signed a few papers before summoning his secretary. He told Johnson to send regrets for the invitations that had already been accepted—but only for the next week. He thought after a week in the country that Addie might change her mind and wish to return to town to be with Louisa and attend the remainder of the Season. If that was the case, he was happy to accommodate her.

Soon, Bailey arrived and told him the carriage was waiting. As he stepped outside, he actually saw two carriages standing there. Addie arrived moments later and he asked about it.

“The second carriage is for Roper and Bridget and our luggage,” she informed him.

He hadn’t known that was the practice of thetonsince he and Roper had ridden together to London. Everett realized he still had much to learn about Polite Society. He was grateful he would have Addie by his side to help him through everything.

He assisted her into the carriage and sat beside her. Everett wanted to take her hand and yet something held him back. He wanted to tell her he loved her. Yet the words wouldn’t come.

Hours later, they arrived at Cliffside and were greeted by Arthur, his butler, and Mrs. Arthur, the housekeeper. Everett had sent word ahead that he would be arriving with his duchess so that the house would be prepared for Addie. As before, the entire staff was lined up and Arthur took Addie through this line. Once more, it struck him how reserved she behaved and he supposed she was conscious of keeping a polite distance when in the presence of servants.

Mrs. Arthur took Addie in hand and took her upstairs to show her the duchess’ bedchamber and sitting room, while Everett met with Mr. Painter, his steward.

The men discussed estate matters and what had occurred during Everett’s absence. Eventually, Arthur arrived and told Everett tea was waiting for him in the library. He ventured there and found his wife. Addie poured out for him, adding just the right amount of milk and sugar to his cup. He liked that she noticed details such as that and knew it would be an asset to her in the coming years.

“How do you find the house?” he asked.

---