Page 58 of The Baron Takes a Wife

“Well, perhaps before you reached a decision, you could consider addressing this restlessness.”

“There is no cause. In this case, a man just finds himself at a crossroads and must act accordingly.” Michael squared his shoulders and his jaw, apparently more for himself than David. “I’m just letting you know. I’m sorry that our reunion was so brief.”

“Michael.” Michael glanced up and finally looked him directly in the eyes. “You’re a better man than you let the world see, you know.”

Michael looked unsure of what to do with this. He glanced down for a moment. “I knew it. Marriage has made you soft,” he muttered.

David caught Elena’s eye again and gave a small shrug. She gave him a half smile. Michael, who had been watching this exchange, rolled his eyes in only the way a curmudgeonly gentleman can.

“I know what you’re going to say. Besot—"

“Besotted,” they both said at the same time. They sat in silence for a moment, in which both of them realized how brief their reunion might be. David knew he would miss him if he went to Washington. He only hoped that going to America might loosen him up a bit. Michael had always been so straitlaced and restrained, even as a young man. Thinking of memories of when they first met, he looked up at his old friend and smiled. The corner of Michael’s mouth ticked up a fraction, and he nodded, his glance returning to the piano as if compelled. He hoped Michael wouldn’t become the patron saint of lost causes, but if he wasn’t accepting help, there wasn’t much more that David could do.

Across the room, Henry had just made Elena laugh, and she threw back her head, the warm light catching the golden strands of her brown hair. He wasn’t exaggerating when he said she looked spectacular earlier in the evening, as again, his eyes drank in how the sunset silk lovingly caressed all the lush curves of her body. The dress and the fact that she was wearing bright colors gave him hope tinged with melancholy. He felt wretched that his hope came at the expense of her belief that she would find her family one day. He had yet to hear back from the ambassador any news on their whereabouts. He wasn’t even sure that he would be granted an annulment if she decided to leave after three years, but he wouldn’t stop her if she wanted to go. He had promised her that. He had also written to the Foreign Office about the suspicious note from Anatole and further inquired about Elena’s family, but perhaps he ought to go in person. He suddenly thought of Orpheus and Eurydice again. Like Orpheus, he knew he would do anything to save her from her own personal hell. Even if it meant that once he had gone through every outlet he could, he would turn around, and she would disappear into the air like Eurydice. But Orpheus had his lute and his musical gift from the gods. What did he have? A title, small fortune, some amount of power. That should do something. He resolved that he would go to the Foreign Office in person before they left for Grayston Park. He could do that much for her.

What a damnable situation they were in. He had been keeping his distance these past few days because the thought of her leaving was too painful. But he found distance painful as well, as he longed to make love to her or just talk and laugh with her like they used to. He wondered if he should just give in and enjoy the time he had with her, whether it was forever or just a few more months, for anything seemed better than this lonely longing. His gaze fell on Michael, who was determinedly not looking over at the piano. Maybe it was better to be like Michael and never confront or admit one’s feelings. At that moment, Elena noticed him looking over at her, and she gave him that half smile, the one where she pursed her lips together, but both of her dimples appeared on her cheeks. It shot straight to his heart. No, he was glad he could and did acknowledge everything he felt, but he did not know where fate would lead them next. He hoped the peace and beauty of Grayston Park could be a new beginning, but right now, he felt tired and defeated.

****

David was quiet all the way home. As they climbed up the stairs of the townhouse that evening, he sighed and looked down at his wife.

“I tried, with Michael, I really tried.”

“I know. Some people have trouble accepting help.”

“I suppose.” He seemed to be leaning on his cane more than usual. She looped her arm through his other arm to support him without being obvious about it.

“Husband, no one is a better friend than you. No one tries harder to watch out for the people they care about.”

“If I’m such a good friend, why was I away for so long? What use was I?” She hadn’t heard him sound so despondent since Balaclava as he went on. “Michael is leaving anyway. He might go to Washington.”

Elena’s heart went out to her husband and the sorrow in his voice. Here was someone who tried so hard to take care of everyone, to take care of her. She had to do something for him.

“Irene, can you take Goliath tonight?” Irene, who had been walking in front of them, stopped.

“Of course.” Irene peered back at them with a raised eyebrow. “I have been taking him a lot lately.”

“He just prefers you, I think.” Irene gave them a suspicious look but ushered the dog, who had just come to greet them, down the hall with her.

As they reached his chambers, Elena led her husband by the hand to his bed.

“I’m going to take care of you. I’m going to be your valet tonight.”

“Elena,” he growled.

“No, you take care of everyone else, of me. Sometimes, someone must take care of you.“

He held her gaze for a moment, seeming at war with himself. Then, finally, something broke in his eyes, and he sank to the bed, accepting her touch. She knelt to remove his tongue boots, running her hand down the inside of his leg and the blended texture of his trousers. She felt great satisfaction at the shiver she felt in turn.

“Elena, you’ll ruin your dress.”

“Well, we can do something about that.” Thank goodness this dress was relatively easy to unlace compared to others. The garment was quite simple in its elegance, with the material and the draping doing the work of drawing the eye. She turned around as she removed her gloves, and set them down.

“Help me so I can help you.” She could feel his hands tremble as he carefully unlaced her gown, and the thrill of anticipation coursed through her as he began to stroke her shoulder blades, lightly trailing a finger down her back.

She turned back around, letting the gown fall from her shoulders, then crept down her body to the ground. She stood there under her husband’s hungry observation, bare in her chemise, corset, and layers of petticoats. She felt his gaze start at the base of her throat, then brazenly trail down to her breasts, cupping and caressing them with his gaze. As David stood and lifted her dress to hang it over a chair, she held out a hand and had him help her step out of her heavy crinoline. She then came to him and pushed off his unbuttoned tailcoat and waistcoat, then she stopped to admire him, taking a deep breath in. She had never realized it until that moment, but she so dearly loved the way he smelled. She couldn’t quite name the scent, but it reminded her of a forest she had gotten lost in as a child. And yet, she hadn’t been frightened as she wandered deeper and deeper into the woods. The scent of the trees made her feel safe but still intrigued, pressing her to go farther. That was the eternal lure of the woods, she mused as she began to unravel his cravat. It was both familiar and dangerous all at once. As her hand brushed his chest, she could feel his pounding heart against the heel of her hand, matching her own. As they both pulled his shirt over his head, she put her face against his chest, feeling warm and safe but also rather unbearably aroused. His arms went around her tightly as he dropped his head to her ear, his breath warm against her skin.

“I know you intended to take this at a slow pace, but I have another idea.” He sought her eyes. “Trust me?”