22. Chapter 22

Chapter twenty-two

Louisa gazed around the room—its masculine hues and soft fabrics forming a perfect balance. It had taken more of her time than she anticipated, but she was very pleased with the finished product.

"It needs a different name." Robert stood with his hands on his hips.

Louisa smiled. "I disagree."

"You do?" His head spun toward her, his creased brow and turned-down lips making her laugh.

"It would be our little joke. Keep the name the same, and have people wonder the entire time they visit why on earth this room is called the Lavender Room. It would be great fun."

His mouth quirked up, and he turned back toward the space. "Only you would think that is funny."

"You seem to be entertained."

"Yes. Because it is something you would find funny, and I am happy to be on the inside of the joke."

Robert had been respectful of the boundaries she had set. He had kept to his word and not kissed her, but more and more Louisa was wondering what it would be like if she let him. Perhaps his tethered emotions would let free and he would encase her in his arms, kissing her relentlessly until she could think of nothing else . . .

"Louisa?"

She jerked back to attention. "Hm?"

"Are we keeping the name the same, then?"

She gave a single nod. "Yes. I fear I cannot bring myself to rename it. Consider it an ode to your departed grandmother. I feel she would be happy we are honoring her wishes."

"Except we redesigned the entire room," he said dryly, his hands clasped behind his back.

"That I do not regret. It was quite horrendous."

"On that, we agree." He spun back to her, smiling, and her knees turned to jelly at the openness of it. Gone were the timid, hidden smiles from their early days. Now, he let them free—and they were dazzling. Little half-moons formed on his cheeks, and she wanted to trace her finger over them—to know the feel of his skin beneath her touch.

"Be careful, Duchess." His low voice rumbled in his chest. "If you keep looking at me like that, I cannot promise I won't ask you to change your mind about that kiss."

She tried to swallow, but it stuck in her throat as she held her breath. She finally forced a laugh so she did not give herself away. "You are incorrigible."

He stepped closer, gazing down at her as the fire in his eyes intensified. "But if you have changed your mind . . ."

She put a hand to his chest, smiling as she wagged a finger at him. "I have not changed my mind. But I applaud your effort."

Robert straightened his lapel. "Very well. It was worth a try." He pulled his watch from his pocket, studying the hour before tucking it safely away. "What are your plans for the day?"

"Well," Louisa began, grateful for the change in subject, "I had planned to visit Violet and Colin this afternoon. Unless you need me for something?"

"No, that will be fine. I have an obscene number of letters to write this afternoon."

And then it hit her. They sounded like an old married couple.

"Well," she said, her voice a bit too shrill. Robert seemed to notice, his brow quirking. "I had best get going. I told Violet I would be there for tea."

Robert nodded, keeping a close eye on her. "Very well. I will see you at dinner?"

"Of course!" Her shrill tone only increased, and she could have slapped herself. She cleared her throat. "Excuse me. Perhaps I am coming down with a bit of a cold."

Robert put the back of his hand to her forehead, his brow puckering. "Do you not feel well? Perhaps you should lie down and get some rest."

"Nonsense. My throat is only a bit sore. Tea should be sufficient to remedy it."

Robert pulled his hand away, nodding. "If you are sure. I do not plan to leave the house today, if you find you need anything."

"If I require anything, I can simply have Beatrice help me. I would not bother you with such a needless thing."

"But I would like it if you would." He held her gaze too long for her liking before breaking it and adjusting the cuff of his jacket. "Have a nice visit with your family. In fact," he stopped, looking up in thought, "you should invite them for dinner this week. It's a bit rude on my part that we haven't yet."

Oh dear. Her family? Here? Watching her and Robert interact in their own home? It made her stomach uneasy. "Of course. That is a splendid idea."

He met her eyes. "Then it is a plan."

She watched as he left the room, heading to do his work, letting her eyes trail over his lean form. How had she ever thought the man intimidating? It was almost humorous now. Who would have thought that underneath the duke's crusty exterior, he was a gooey puddle of sweet jam?

And she wanted to slather him all over a biscuit.

Goodness. She had to get a hold of herself.

The ride over to Violet's was a much-needed distraction. But when her sister-in-law began pouring Louisa a cup of tea, she noticed a knowing grin spread across Violet's lips.

"What?" Louisa asked, accepting the warm cup.

Violet gave an innocent shrug of her shoulder. "Oh, nothing. You just seem quite smitten is all."

"Smitten? How can you say such a thing when I have only spoken about five words of greeting?"

"I know you well, Louisa. Let's not forget."

"So well that you can read minds?" She took a sip, closing her eyes as the warm tea slid down her throat.

"No, but I can read you ."

"Nonsense. I am an enigma."

Violet grinned, settling back with her own cup. "Unless I am very well mistaken, you wear the expression of a woman who has been well and thoroughly kissed."

"Violet!" Louisa gasped, setting her cup down. "I cannot believe your crass words."

"What is crass about a woman kissing her husband?" Violet chuckled.

"Robert and I agreed on a contractual, mutually beneficial marriage."

Violet's eyes danced as she leaned forward for a biscuit. "I would say kissing is mutually beneficial."

Louisa snatched up her cup, sloshing warm tea on her hand. She grabbed a napkin, blotting her hand dry. "You are quite entertained. Might I ask what has brought this out?"

"Your face," Violet said, giggling. "You have a very moonstruck glow to your eyes."

This was not good. Violet was Louisa's closest friend, so it was possible she was the only one to notice. But what if she wasn't? What if Robert was thinking the same thing and was holding onto hope that she would return his affection?

"Well, I have not, in fact, been kissed senseless." Though the thought was beginning to take up more space in her mind than she cared to admit. "We have developed a comfortable friendship."

Violet's smile dimmed. "Friendship?" She chewed her lip as she always did when deep in thought. "I suppose that is better than strangers living in the same house, which was my earlier fear. But when I saw you today, I thought for sure . . ." Her brow furrowed farther, making Louisa grin.

"Well," Louisa said, drawing out the word. "I did not say the duke did not want to." She could at least throw her sister-in-law a bone. Violet was the sweetest person on earth, and Louisa wanted to make her happy.

With this, Violet perked back up. "Oh?"

Louisa only nodded as she took a sip of her tea.

Violet narrowed an eye, raising her cup to her lips. "And what about you?"

"I said that I would perform my duty when the time comes, but outside of that, there would be no kissing."

Violet choked on her tea, sitting up as she sputtered. Louisa ran over to her side, gently rubbing her back as Violet caught her breath. "You haven't . . ." She looked her up and down. "You are married in name only?"

"By choice of my husband, yes."

"But why?" Violet's voice rose with each question.

"Goodness, Violet, had I known you were going to ask such impertinent questions I would have skipped our visit today."

Violet's eyes fell flat. "You are the most outspoken person I have ever met, and now you choose to be taciturn? I feel that is rather unfair."

Louisa went back to her seat. "Fine. I told him I do not want a romantic marriage, and he has agreed to respect that. Though there will be children in our future, it is not happening now ."

"So, the duke is open to the idea of love, but you are not? This is all so unexpected." Violet leaned back into her seat, shoulders slumping. "I do not understand."

"You know I do not want love, Violet."

"But I had thought you would change your mind."

"Well, you were wrong." But as she said the words, her thoughts betrayed her, bringing to mind Robert leaning against a doorframe, teasing his lips with the tip of his spectacles, the top buttons of his shirt undone about his strong neck. And then a barrage of images pounded into her head. Him sighing as she toyed with his hair, him rescuing her foolish dog, him cradling her as she cried, him letting her into his intimate thoughts . . .

"You are such a liar," Violet said, breaking Louisa from her trance. Louisa glanced up to see Violet grinning as she bit into her biscuit.

"Excuse me?"

"Your hazy gaze gives you away."

"I was only wondering if I had . . . planned the meals for the week."

Violet pursed her lips. "If that lie makes you sleep better at night."

"Well, despite your horrid nosiness, my husband wishes to invite you to dinner this week. Which is why I was pondering the meals."

Violet's eyes widened. "He invited us to dinner?"

"Yes. Even though you are being unbearable."

Violet grinned. "Yes. Of the two of us, I'm the unbearable one."

"I'm glad we can agree on that point."

"Henry has been worried, you know." Violet's eyes lost their playful countenance.

Louisa's stomach clenched and her fingers tightened on the handle of her cup. "Is he not sleeping again?"

Violet ran a hand over her gown, as if gathering her thoughts. "He says he is sleeping well, but I've noticed his dark circles. I do think he has been up more as of late. I was hoping to give him a good report. Perhaps having dinner with you this week will settle his mind."

"You should have told me, Violet. I would have invited you sooner."

Violet waved a hand. "It is not your burden to bear. And truly, he is fine. Just a bit restless since you've left."

"Well, please assure him all is well, and he has nothing to worry about. And I will do my best to do the same."

Violet gave a tentative smile, nodding as she met Louisa's gaze. "We only want you to be happy, Louisa. That is our greatest desire."

"Is Henry here now?" Louisa stood, ready to head to his office.

Violet shook her head. "No. He went to check on the eldest Lord Crowly and his infected toenail." She grimaced. "He won't be back for some time."

"Goodness gracious. That brother of mine can only think of others."

"Yes," Violet said with a dreamy sigh, her smile encompassing her whole face. "He is the best of men. I cannot believe I am so lucky."

"You are the only one that deserves him, Violet. You are so good to him."

Violet cleared her throat, looking very much as if she might cry. "Thank you."

Bless her heart. Violet was much more in tune with her emotions and felt things deeply—something Henry needed in his life.

Louisa left her sister-in-law with her emotions warring inside. She wished to put Violet and Henry's worries to rest, but did not want to mislead them into thinking she had declared passionate love for her husband. Even if she did so to assuage their worries, it left the possibility that Robert would get wind of it and make assumptions, thus ending in a sea of heartbreak. Louisa did not want that. Now she was trying to balance two problems, and she wasn't sure if she could.

She handed her things to Brooks upon entering the house, fully intending to head to the kitchen to discuss the menu for the dinner with Violet and Henry.

"Your Grace," Brooks said with a bow, "his grace asked if I would send you to his library upon your return."

"Oh." She stopped. "Is everything all right?"

"I believe so. He only wanted to speak with you."

She nodded. "Very well. Thank you, Brooks."

The walk to Robert's library seemed never-ending. What could he want? He had said he would be working the entire afternoon, and she had not expected to see him until dinner. How was she to distance herself if he kept putting himself in her path all day? Surely she was being silly, worrying over his summons. He likely only had a simple question to ask, yet as her steps neared his door, they slowed, feeling heavier as she approached the familiar room.

When she was only a few feet away from the door, a sound caught her attention. It was almost like distant thunder warning that it was coming—a gentle rumble that one could barely make out. Louisa tiptoed toward the door, the sound growing louder as she neared. She peered about the frame, her eyes immediately landing on the desk that stood empty. How strange. Brooks had specifically said Robert's library. Had he been mistaken and meant his office instead?

Louisa scanned the rest of the room before searching somewhere else. The window was ajar, letting in a soft breeze that fluttered the draperies beside it. Her eyes finally snagged on the chaise in front of the bookcase.

Oh, her poor heart. It didn't stand a chance at such a sight. For there, with an open book across his chest and his spectacles haphazardly stretched across his face, was Robert, gently snoring as he dozed. And on his stomach, curled into an adorable white ball, was Prince.

She couldn't breathe—couldn't move. All she could do was stare and curse Brooks for sending her back here. She could be blissfully unaware in the kitchen, planning the dishes for the dinner with Henry and Violet. Instead, her heart thudded in her chest, asking herself an unrelenting question.

How was she to not fall in love with this man?

Just as she was about to back away from the door, leaving Robert to his nap, he rubbed his face, knocking his spectacles to the carpet beneath the chaise. Without looking, he reached down, his hand aimlessly swinging about as he searched for them. When he finally found them, he placed them back across his nose, picking up his book with one hand while he reached the other toward Prince's furry head, scratching him behind the ears.

She went to back away and try to block this memory from her mind when Prince noticed her, sitting up and wagging his tail.

Robert brought his book down. "Oh," he said, his voice groggy with sleep. "Louisa. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"No need to apologize." She stepped into the room, knowing she couldn't very well leave now. "Writing letters will do that to a person."

He sighed, sitting up and removing his spectacles before rubbing his face. "Yes. As will reading." He held up the book.

"Prince seemed to be enjoying the nap."

Robert's eyes widened, glancing down at the dog as if he had forgotten he was there. "Ah. Yes, that. He must have snuck onto my lap while I was sleeping."

Prince whined, jumping from the sofa as if indignant at Robert's rebuff.

"You needed to see me?" she asked.

"Yes." He stood, scratching his head and mussing his hair, which was already in disarray from his impromptu nap. "I wanted to tell you that I got another note today."

"Note?"

"Yes. I had thought you might want to join me?" Walking over to his desk, he picked up the note, handing it to her.

She unfolded it, noticing an address scrawled inside with Thursday's date beneath. "Oh, this sort of note." Her heart skipped. He was openly inviting her. A small part of her sounded warning bells, knowing that spending more time with him could only complicate matters. But how could she say no to something so exciting? "Yes, I would very much like to attend."

"What day is your brother coming for dinner? Hopefully the two do not conflict."

"Why don't we plan to have them for dinner on Wednesday?"

"Perfect. Would you like to send out the invitation, or should I?" He walked over to his desk, grabbing some foolscap and bending his head. He went to pick up his quill, but it twirled in the ink jar, causing him to mumble to himself as it kept eluding his grasp.

Louisa watched as his hair tumbled across his brow, her heart aching as he tried again to grab the writing utensil. This was her favorite version of him and the one she considered to be his truest self—a bit unkempt, comfortable in his shirtsleeves and messy hair, and slightly clumsy. But it was also the version of himself that worried her the most, for she wasn't sure how to protect her heart against it. His nap must have softened his edges, for rarely was this version of himself out during the day. It was usually kept for the hours after everyone else had gone to bed, when he could shed his layers of protection and be the vulnerable man beneath.

"I can send the invitation. You seem to be having a bit of trouble," she said with a nervous grin.

He grasped the quill, sitting up with a smile of triumph. "Ha!"

Louisa's throat seized, and she feared her emotions might get the better of her, so she turned to leave and spare them both the embarrassment.

"So Wednesday then?" he asked as she made it to the door.

She stopped, putting her hand on the frame but refusing to look back at him. "Yes. That seems like the best plan."

"I will send the invitation since I am already at my desk."

"Very well."

Her hand fell from the frame, and she walked off to talk to Mrs. Powell. Hopefully, her heart would begin to behave itself.