Page 89 of Courting Claudia

“Not until I have proof. I don’t want to wrongly accuse anyone. I can tell you that my source, the one I trusted who gave me the original story, was Richard.”

“So that is your past together, why you didn’t trust him.”

“Exactly,” he said.

“So your father’s paper was destroyed by this one act?”

“Yes. He died shortly after that. That’s when I started thinking of ways to recreate his success. I wanted to carry on his good name of providing quality news to people. But I wanted to take it a step further and make it available to everyone. It took me eight years to get the formula right, but I’m proud of my paper. And I think my father would be proud.”

She touched his cheek. “I know he would be.”

“He would have liked you very much.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“You know, that wasn’t exactly the first time I’d heard that story.”

“You knew about me?”

“No, not precisely. That day you found Richard and me. He’d told me something similar. I figured he was angry and didn’t know what he was talking about.”

“Why didn’t you ask me?”

“I felt if it was important, then you’d tell me eventually.”

He was quiet a moment, then asked, “What do you think about it?”

“I’m dreadfully disappointed in myself that I did not see Richard for the man he truly was. Now I understand you trying to protect me from him. As far as the story and the man’s suicide, it was unfortunate. Certainly not your fault. I bet you were a wonderful writer.”

She tilted her head and kissed his chin.

“So you believe me?”

She searched his eyes. He was serious, concerned. “Of course I believe you. I trust you.”

“You’re amazing.”

She smiled. “I don’t think so, but thank you for saying so.”

“I’m serious. I’ve given you no reason to have faith in me, and yet you do. Unwavering, it seems. You walked out on your father for me. I don’t even know how to say thank you for something like that.” His hand brushed her cheek, lingering by her ear.

“You’ve given me every reason to have faith in you. Aside from your slight prevarication at the beginning of our relationship, you’ve been nothing but honest with me. You went out of your way to prevent me from marrying Richard, and while I’m not certain your tactics were the best, under the circumstances—me refusing to see the truth—it was your only choice.

“As for my father, I realized that I’ve spent my entire life seeking his approval, and it’s never going to happen. No matter who I am or who I become, I will always be lacking in his eyes. I much prefer the way I look in your eyes.”

Chapter 20

“Not that color.”

Claudia eyed her husband. “What’s wrong with this color?” She fingered the fine pale blue silk. He’d talked her into going to the dressmaker this morning. They’d been here a full twenty minutes, and he’d rejected every fabric she’d selected.

“It looks like all your other dresses. I don’t want you to buy a gown your father would approve of. I want you to select material that makes you feel like a woman.” His voice was a mere breath away, warm next to her ear. “Vibrant colors. Passionate.”

She fought the urge to lean into him. What a wanton she’d become. He didn’t even have to touch her, and she melted.

“Show me what you want,” she said.

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