Anita’s footsteps had never felt lighter, and she’d never felt warmer than being snuggled next to Myles in the coach as they traversed the city traffic. He refused to say where they were going, and she didn’t mind in the least. It was exciting. An adventure, and that added to her happiness. The joy filling her heart was indescribable. She’d hoped to become someone he could be proud of, perhaps feel tenderness for one day, and was so very glad that he was happy that she’d come to London, gone to see Dr Potter.
The carriage rocked as the horses stopped, and she lifted the thick curtain blocking the cold air. She didn’t recognise the stores. ‘Where are we?’
‘Hatton Garden.’
‘What are we doing here?’
‘We are going to visit a jeweller that I know.’
‘Oh, Myles, you have already provided me with so much, I truly don’t—’
He pressed a finger to her lips. ‘My duchess needs some jewellery.’ He then tapped on the ceiling of the coach.
The footman riding atop with Joshua opened the door for them, and a few steps later, they entered a small but brightly lit store with a glass counter that was filled with sparkling jewels.
‘Ah, the Duke of Redford has once again graced my humble establishment,’ a tall dark-haired man said.
‘Anita, my love, please pay no attention to the rake coming our way,’ Myles said loudly enough for the man to hear, while tugging her a bit closer to his side with the arm he had around her. ‘He is the worst sort of scoundrel. A thief in all honesty.’
She was aware the two men were teasing each other, but the echoing of the pounding of her heart was muffling her hearing. That had happened as soon as he’d called her ‘my love.’ He’d called her his duchess before, but never my love. He probably didn’t even realise he’d said it, not like she did.
‘Allow me to introduce myself, since your husband appears to be too busy calling me names,’ the man said to her. ‘Perhaps he is jealous that you will favour me over him, no?’
‘No,’ Myles answered for her.
She giggled, because he was correct.
‘I am Jillian Voss.’ The man gave her an exaggerated bow. ‘At your service, Your Grace.’
‘Kiss her hand and we’ll be in the back alley,’ Myles said.
The jeweller laughed. ‘It would be worth it.’
‘If you fancy a broken nose,’ Myles said.
The two men then shook hands and slapped each other on the back.
‘We’ve known each other since the cradle,’ Myles told her. ‘I wouldn’t really have broken his nose, just bruised it.’
The conversation between the two had happened so fast, it had been impossible for her to get a word in before now. She gave Myles a playful little slap on the arm and nodded at the jeweller. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr Voss.’
‘The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace. Come, the necklace I have designed is right over here.’
Myles once again placed an arm around her waist as they followed the jeweller across the store. She liked Myles’s arm being around her. Liked knowing that he didn’t feel that she had to hold on to his arm in order to keep from tripping.
Mr Voss walked behind the glass counter and lifted a black velvet-covered box out of a cabinet below the counter, then set it atop the glass. With a nod, he said, ‘Open it.’
She glanced at Myles, who also nodded.
Having no idea what to expect, she used both hands to carefully open the lid and gasped at what she saw. A pearl necklace shimmered brightly within. Each perfectly formed pearl was full of tiny colourful prisms, but it was the pendant that hung from the pearls that held her full attention. A horse’s head and neck carved from a glossy black stone, with the horse’s flowing mane made from fine, individual strands of gold.
‘I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,’ she said.
‘Neither have I,’ Myles said.
He was looking at her, not the necklace, and she shook her head at him.
Mr Voss pushed the necklace closer towards her. ‘Try it on.’
‘Allow me,’ Myles said, picking up the necklace.
She untied the bow of her cape and let the heavy material slide onto her shoulders so he had access to the back of her neck. The treatments from Dr Potter had definitely worked, because she could feel her toes curling, the ones on both feet, as Myles’s fingers touched her neck while he clasped the necklace in place. The strand of pearls was just long enough that she could look down and see the gorgeous horse.
Turning to look at Myles, she said, ‘It’s so lovely. So very lovely.’
‘I’m glad that you like it.’ He gave her a soft kiss on the lips, before he looked at Mr Voss. ‘You created exactly what I wanted.’
‘Did you have any doubt?’ Mr Voss asked.
‘No.’ Myles’s eyes were back on her. ‘Not a single doubt.’
Her heart was completely uncontrollable today. It was not only pounding; it was swelling to twice its size. Not getting her hopes up that he could someday care for her was growing more difficult by the moment.
Myles thanked the jeweller and apologised for not being able to stay any longer, because they had another appointment.
Back in the carriage, she said, ‘Thank you for the necklace. It’s exquisite.’
‘You’re very welcome,’ he replied, touching the necklace with a single finger. ‘I wouldn’t object to a kiss of appreciation.’
She wouldn’t mind, either, and showed him that with more than one kiss. Those sensations that she wondered if all wives felt were making themselves known low in her belly. Not wanting them to grow stronger until she squirmed in her seat as she sometimes did in her bed at night, she ended the kiss and sat back in her seat, tried to act normally.
Her gaze went to her necklace again. The design of the horse reminded her of something, and when it struck, she lifted his hand and pushed back his coat sleeves. ‘The horse on my necklace is exactly like the ones engraved on your cufflinks.’
‘It is.’
The significance of that touched her very soul. She treasured the idea of how that connected them, made them a pair.
‘Jillian designed the cufflinks for me several years ago. Wesley has a similar pair, but his design is of an entire horse.’ Myles went on to explain how their father had encouraged them to start breeding racehorses and several other stories about things that had gone well with the business and hiccups that had happened along the way.
She was more than interested; she was enthralled to learn so much more about him, his family and the horses, and practically peppered him with questions, right up until the coach stopped again.
Then, when she lifted the curtain, she stiffened with confusion. ‘We are at Dr Potter’s house.’
‘We are.’
‘Why?’
‘When I said I was jealous last night, I was telling the truth. I’d seen your coach on the road yesterday upon arriving in town and followed you, to here.’
She pressed a hand to her throat. ‘That’s how you found Joshua at the tavern.’
‘Yes, and I wondered why he lied to me. Told me you were shopping.’
Grasping his arm, she shook her head. ‘Don’t blame him. Please. I asked him to not tell anyone.’
‘I know, and I don’t blame him for protecting his duchess. For following her orders.’ He cupped her cheek with one hand. ‘I will never question a servant or employee for obeying you.’
Guilt swirled in her stomach. ‘I was going to tell you, I truly was.’
‘I believe you, but I didn’t give you a chance. When you came home with a rug for Roscoe, I decided it didn’t matter why you’d been here, but then, my jealousy struck.’
Confused, she asked, ‘Because of a rug?’
‘No, because I smelled men’s cologne on you.’
‘Oh.’ She hadn’t noticed the scent of cologne, not even while dancing yesterday. Perhaps because she’d been pretending to dance with Myles. ‘That was Dr Potter’s son, Adam. He’s tall and—’
‘His strides are closer to mine for you to practise dancing with.’
‘Yes.’
‘My confession is not over. After almost punching Gibbs for staring at you non-stop last night, I came here to confront the cologne owner. Instead, I found Dr Potter.’ Rubbing her cheek, he continued, ‘You’ve amazed me numerous times over the past four weeks. You have become the Duchess that I need, one who has helped me in so many ways. With the horses, animals, guests, paperwork, and now I want to do something for you.’
‘But you already have.’
He shook his head. ‘No. I’ve given you things, but I haven’t helped you achieve something you want.’
His eyes were truly amazing. So dark brown that the depths of them seemed endless, and right now were full of something she didn’t recognise but felt, yet she had to admit, ‘I don’t understand.’
‘I’ve asked Dr Potter if we could have a therapy session together so I can learn to help you with your exercises and so we can practise dancing together. I want to be the one who helps heal your wounds.’
To anyone else, it might seem foolish, silly, but to her, what he was giving her, was the most precious gift she’d ever receive. Ever.
‘I’d like that very much,’ she said. ‘So very much.’
Myles stood in the parlour, resting a hand against the fireplace mantel and staring at the door, waiting for a glimpse of Anita on the stairway. He’d never been excited for a ball before. They were a waste of time as far as he was concerned, but tonight was different. He was eager to show off his duchess.
How they’d spent the entire day together yesterday had made it the best day of his life. Every moment of it. During their dance lessons, Dr Potter had shown him how to keep a hand on Anita’s hip, how that would aid her ability to control her movements. That of course was paramount, but he’d be lying if he didn’t admit that he liked how that was more intimate than placing a hand on her back.
He also learned how to make sure she was always stepping with her right foot first, so the left one merely had to glide along while they danced. The lesson appeared to grow her confidence even more. It had also increased his. He liked knowing what he could do to help her.
Dr Potter had also shown him the foot manipulations exercises, which he’d performed for her this morning, greatly enjoying the feeling of her silky-smooth skin.
‘Good evening, big brother.’
Myles nodded as Wesley entered the room. ‘I was beginning to question if you’d already left for America.’
‘Nope, not yet,’ Wesley said. ‘Sorry I wasn’t able to make the dinner with our cousins the other night.’
‘No, you aren’t,’ Myles replied.
‘You’re right, as usual.’ Wesley grimaced. ‘I’m not sorry. I have too few nights left in London to be stuck spending one of them with Gibb.’
‘You are the lucky one in that sense.’ Myles wrapped his left hand around his right fist. ‘I almost hit my limit with him.’
‘Aw,’ Wesley groaned. ‘You’re making me wish I’d been here.’
‘No, I’m not.’
Wesley nodded in agreement.
‘Mother says she’s barely seen you the past week,’ Myles then said.
‘Well, I was at Redford for a few days, as you know, and I am tying up loose ends before I leave.’
‘I do hope those ends won’t result in something I need to be concerned about,’ Myles said with a large portion of serious warning.
‘Don’t worry, big brother, I will not be leaving any maidens sobbing about my departure.’ Wesley slapped his shoulders. ‘The next generation is your job, not mine.’
That was a job Myles was looking forward to and had a strong belief it would happen tonight.
Wesley laughed. ‘It appears as if you no longer consider that a burden.’
‘I don’t,’ Myles admitted.
‘I can see why.’
Myles turned in the direction of Wesley’s gaze, and his hand slipped off the mantel so unexpectedly he stumbled slightly.
His brother laughed.
Myles shook his head but silently chuckled to himself. If he hadn’t stumbled, he’d still be standing there, staring as his wife descended the stairway outside of the parlour’s doorway; instead, he was now walking towards her, hand out for when she reached the bottom step.
Her green gown was probably lovely in the eyes of many, but his eyes were on her face, seeing how it glowed, how her eyes glistened. A beauty like no other. He was also an honest man and had to admit that his eyes also caught on her necklace, how the horse pendant settled nicely just above of the top of her cleavage.
He wouldn’t mind being that horse’s head right now.
Drawing in a breath that was unsteady due to several reactions taking place in his body, he took a hold of her hand as she stopped on the last step. ‘You look extraordinarily beautiful, as usual.’
She smiled. ‘You do tend to exaggerate, but thank you. You look quite charming yourself.’
‘Charming, is it?’
‘Yes.’
‘I was going for handsome.’
The way she laughed was exactly what he’d been truly going for. The sound was amazing and he wanted to hear it all the time.
‘You are always handsome,’ she said, ‘even when you aren’t trying.’
A groan sounded as Wesley followed him into the corridor. ‘My dear sister-in-law, please do not make his head any larger than it already is.’
‘Oh,’ Anita said, with a fake frown as she patted the top of his head. ‘I had not thought of that. The ceilings can’t get any taller.’
‘Exactly!’ Wesley then gave her a bow. ‘However, he, my big brother, was right. You are extraordinarily beautiful.’
‘Thank you, Wesley,’ she said. ‘And you look very handsome as well.’
Giggles filtered from the corridor atop the stairs but then faded.
‘Thank you,’ Wesley said. ‘It sounds like we might as well get ourselves a refreshment. For girls who have been looking forward to this ball for months, it might end before they are ready to go.’
Myles nodded. ‘You might be right.’
Anita shook her head at both of them as she stepped off the stair. ‘They will be ready soon. Just be patient.’
Myles nodded, but he was not thinking about his sisters. His mind was counting how many weeks they’d been married, and how patient he’d been during that time. There had been times that he’d felt as if his manhood had been twisted in knots and hoped that would all soon be over. The twisting part. The wonderful parts would go on for ever.
It wasn’t long before his sisters and mother made their way downstairs, and though he would never understand such enthusiasm for a ball, he was happy for his sisters. They both looked very pretty, and perhaps a bit older than he would like.
Anita must have noticed that, because she whispered, ‘Don’t worry. They are good girls.’
‘It’s not them that I’m worried about,’ he said. ‘It’s who will be looking at them, and why.’
‘You have a few years before that will come,’ she said.
‘I hope so.’ He glanced at her. ‘Ready?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, I am.’
The two of them rode in her coach while the rest of the family rode in a separate one, and he used the privacy for them to share a few kisses, because such opportunities would not be prevalent during the ball.
The two coaches arrived, one after the other, and the entire family entered the Arlington home together, where they were met by housemen offering to place their coats and capes aside until needed later.
His sisters were still giggling as they climbed the stairs to the second floor, and Myles waited until his family entered the glittering ballroom and were announced before he smiled down at his wife. He had the greatest desire to tell her that he loved her. So great it almost slipped out the second before he placed a tiny kiss on her temple.
With her arm hooked on his elbow, he led her forward through the wide double doors with pride filling chest like never before. The quiet that followed their announcement wasn’t unexpected, nor were the stares coming from all directions.
Stopping before Donald Arlington, the Viscount Wakefield, and his wife, Myles made the introductions. There was a small amount of friendly chat, where Anita joined in, before they moved on so the next partygoers could greet the hosts.
The ballroom was full of groups of young girls dressed in their finery, clustered together and giggling, while being closely watched by other clusters of mothers, fathers and various family members. The fact that events such as this truly only had one ultimate goal—marriages between members of the ton—was the very reason he’d avoided them as much as possible.
‘The decorations are very lovely,’ Anita said. ‘Don’t you think?’
He glanced around at the greenery and flowers, the bows and ribbons, including those casting down from the ceiling and looked at back her. ‘I’ll concede to your opinion, for true beauty doesn’t come from adornments. I see that each time I look at you. It makes no difference what you wear, your natural beauty outshines it all.’
She let out a sigh that also held a slight, throaty groan. ‘I now understand that your silver tongue is the part of the reason women quickly jumped at the chance to marry you.’
‘What’s the other part?’ he asked.
‘I’m not sure.’ She cast him what he considered an appreciative head-to-toe gaze. ‘Perhaps your charm.’
He gave her a much more thorough and appreciative gaze that lingered longer than necessary where the pendant of her necklace rested. Her ample bust was part of the reason; the other was the necklace. It was like a brand, his brand, and he liked that. ‘Is that why you married me? My charm?’
She giggled. ‘I married you because you needed a wife, and still do. Someone to tell you that we shouldn’t be standing here blocking the pathway.’
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, ‘Shall we find a secluded alcove and share a few secret kisses?’
The breath she sucked in made her bust line rise out of the neckline of her dress just a hint more. ‘No. Don’t be silly.’
‘I’m not—’ A slap on his back stopped his words.
‘Redford.’
‘Trimble,’ he replied to the grinning, red-headed man. ‘I see they’ll let anyone in tonight.’
Trimble laughed. ‘I sneaked in through the back door.’ He then looked at Anita. ‘I’m only joking, Your Grace.’
Myles introduced Robert Trimble, who would one day become the Duke of Hamstead, to Anita. After the pleasantries were exchanged, he explained that Trimble loved horse racing and owned two Redford thoroughbreds.
‘What times are your animals running?’ she asked.
Trimble lifted a brow.
Myles grinned and held his silence. In a very short time, Anita had learned more about horse racing than some of his grooms. Her notes in his ledger proved it, but their walks before he’d come to London the first time had included tons of questions from her about the animals.
‘In the quarter mile,’ she clarified.
Trimble rattled off a couple sets of numbers, the seconds it took his horses to run a quarter mile, and she responded with a thoughtful nod.
‘Is that good or bad?’ Trimble said. ‘Do I need a new horse?’
‘Everyone could use a new horse,’ she said. ‘A Redford thoroughbred, but those numbers are close to what our newly trained horses are running.’
Trimble glanced from her to Myles. ‘Where did you find her? I need one just like her.’
Myles tucked her a bit closer to his side. If his pride in her continued to grow, he’d soon be popping the buttons off his vest. ‘She’s one of a kind, and she’s mine.’