Chapter Seventeen

Exhausted, Landon laid the white strip of material that was once his cravat over his thigh and attempted to smooth out the wrinkles. Shaking his head, he wrapped it around his neck and tied a simple knot that Jacobs would find appalling. Since his wife's declaration of love, the woman was tireless. He hoped his increased stamina was from the surge of invincibility he experienced when Bronwyn was close and not the clean country air. Landon eyed his wife as she readjusted her gown over her delectable breasts. Mindlessly, he grabbed his waistcoat that laid haphazardly on the opposite bench. It was still a two-day journey to London, but he could feel the weight of his responsibilities already encroaching upon him.

Jostled sideways as the coach turned off the dirt path, Landon begrudgingly shifted away from Bronwyn, whose cheeks blazed red as she hastily righted her coiffeur. He pulled back the coach window curtain. Archbroke's manor was impressively well kept.

Squinting, Landon made out a familiar silhouette. "Theo is eagerly awaiting us. She's bouncing on her toes like she used to when my family would visit hers at Hadfield Hall."

Bronwyn huffed. "I'm certain Lady Archbroke would do no such thing. That would be breaking at least three of Mary's rules."

He leaned back and held the curtain open for his wife to see for herself that his highly respected cousin was indeed behaving like a child on Christmas morn. When she remained frozen at the window, Landon said, "I'm not one to tout when I'm correct…" He stopped mid-sentence as he took in Bronwyn's strained features.

"The mansion is enormous. Significantly larger than Waterford's castle. However am I to navigate such a monstrosity?"

"I expect you'll manage without much of an issue. It's a fairly simple structure, similar to Hadfield Hall—both buildings are easy to commandeer."

"Maybe for you. But it took me three days to memorize Waterford's castle. I won't tell you how many times I opened the door to the water closet, believing it be the door to our chambers."

"Easy mistake. You were only two doors off. I made the same mistake myself when I first visited." Landon chuckled.

The coach door opened. Eager to stretch his legs, Landon jumped out first. Holding out his hand for Bronwyn, he waited for her to exit. When she didn't immediately appear, he stuck his head back into the vehicle.

"Are you going to remain in here all day?"

Bronwyn fiddled with her skirts. "No."

"I promise Archbroke won't bite."

"It's not Lord Archbroke. I've conversed with the man many a time at my dad's store. It's that I dearly want to impress Lady Archbroke and…"

He reached for Bronwyn's hand. "Theo is the sweetest person I know, and she happens to be my favorite cousin."

"I'm certain she is lovely, kind, and the epitome of what all ladies strive to be. But Lady Archbroke is highly regarded and holds an extraordinary place in the hearts of those in the Network—especially the women."

The mix of awe and nervousness in Bronwyn's voice was befuddling. "While I consider Theo an angel for having married Archbroke, she is no demi-god. She is human just like you and I. Shall we go meet our hosts before Theo has my head for making her wait?"

Bronwyn grinned and took his hand. "As you wish."

He gave her a wink. "Perhaps after the introductions I shall show you the way to our chambers."

Barely audible foot falls had Landon rolling his shoulders back and preparing himself to greet his cousin.

"Landon!" Theo's voice was mere inches away.

He instinctively hauled his wife to his side.

Theo looked down her nose at him, despite the fact he was at least twelve inches taller than her. "Why are the two of you dawdling?"

He swiveled around to find Theo flanked by Waterford and Mary, both with smirks on their faces. During the last leg of their trip, he had limited his attention to kissing…though not all the kissing had occurred upon Bronwyn's delightfully shaped lips that had curled into a smile.

Bronwyn stepped forward and curtsied. What was she doing? Theo should be the one paying respect to Bronwyn since she outranked Theo. Placing a hand under her elbow, he guided her to stand next to him, except he was barreled out of the way as Theo threw her arms about Bronwyn.

"Cousin!" Theo pulled back and grabbed his wife's hands. "Welcome to the family. Aunt Henrietta and Christopher are not due to arrive until tomorrow. I selfishly wanted to spend the day with you." Theo's bright emerald green eyes landed on Landon. "She's all mine for the day. You kept me waiting, and now you will pay."

With a nod, Landon conceded. He was no fool—Theo was treated by both the Network and PORFs as queen, regardless of the rondure.

Theo led Bronwyn away. Separated from his wife by a few feet, and he already missed her.

A pebble hit him square in the middle of his back. Landon swiveled and caught the second one before it hit him in the chest. He stared at his cousin-in-law, Graham Drummond, Earl of Archbroke and Head of the Home Office, as he sauntered up the drive. Landon blinked twice. The man who the ton had once considered a dandy, as immaculate in appearance as his manor, now resembled a field hand with his hair disheveled and clad in sweaty breeches and lawn shirt.

Archbroke said, "About bloody time you came to relieve me of your duties. I've had little to no spare time to spend with Theo."

"For which I believe Theo is thankful."

"Hardly. The woman is in her second trimester and has regained her…" Archbroke blinked and then shut his mouth tight.

Since Landon's proposal to Bronwyn, the woman had occupied his thoughts every moment. Love was incredibly distracting. If Archbroke was as preoccupied as Landon was with how to get his wife back into bed, Landon certainly did not want to hear whatever it was Archbroke was about to impart.

Archbroke came to stand next to him. Footmen scurried about unloading the numerous trunks both Mary and Bronwyn deemed necessary. Long gone were the days of traveling with a single travel bag and one other. Bronwyn was well worth the tradeoff.

Landon asked, "Where were you when we arrived?"

Archbroke wiped a bead of sweat from his temple. "Out running."

"Running where?"

"Nowhere in particular; about the estate." Archbroke turned to mount the steps leading up to the front doors. "Theo's been hounding me to inform you that Cadby declined my invitation to attend the house party and has summoned Bronwyn to come home."

His father-in-law's rejection of a request by a PORF stunned him despite Bronwyn's forewarning. But it was the notoriously difficult man's demand that his daughter return home that rocked Landon to his heels. "Whatever for?"

"As your wife, she must receive the mark. Cadby insists it be done sooner rather than later, and he will not recognize your union until it is done."

Archbroke entered the manor, glanced at a door down the hall, and then to the staircase. It was the first time Landon had ever witnessed the man hesitate.

"Are there any other matters that I should be aware of?" Landon asked.

"No."

"What's the problem, then?"

"I want to greet your new wife and see mine, but I know I need to bathe first. I'm trying to decide which action would please Theo more. She's probably already miffed I didn't return before you arrived."

Landon grinned. Married over a year, and Theo still was Archbroke's number one priority. Now that he was married, he sympathized with the man, for Landon couldn't imagine a day in which Bronwyn's happiness wouldn't come before his own.

Waterford exited the room Archbroke had just been eying. As he approached, it became apparent the man had fled. His hair was in disarray, and he tugged at his neatly tied cravat. Walking right past them, Waterford said, "I need a drink."

Archbroke bounded up the stairs, and Landon followed Waterford to the library.

"What the devil is the matter?" Landon asked as Waterford poured a healthy finger of brandy into a glass.

"More etiquette lessons, except now Lady Theo is in charge."

Landon groaned. He'd have his work cut out for him tonight, for Bronwyn would likely take Theo's word as gospel.