Chapter Twenty-Three

The sound of footmen dragging trunk after trunk down the main staircase echoed down the hallway. The drawing room occupants, Waterford, Mary, and Christopher, all of whom had accompanied Landon back to London, remained silent.

For three days, from sunup to sundown, Landon remained rooted next to the window looking out onto the street. Waiting patiently for his wife to return. If it hadn't been for his silent companions in the room, he'd not have eaten or managed to keep a hold on his sanity. When Bronwyn had failed to return to their townhouse or appear at her parents' lodgings, Landon panicked. But Waterford eased his worries by reminding him that the Network would not fail to protect his wife. As a council member, Waterford was apprised of all activity, and only an hour after their return to London, a messenger had confirmed Bronwyn was safely tucked into a cot above Emma's store. The uncertainty over how long it might be before Landon saw his wife again gnawed at his patience.

Tearing himself from the window for a moment, Landon asked his younger brother, "Why the sudden decision to relocate today?"

Christopher's eyes darted to Mary, who was sitting in one of the leather chairs by the fire, and then retorted, "What makes you believe I hadn't planned the move for this day?"

Mary sat unnaturally still. Since midmorning, the woman had exuded an edginess that worried Landon. It wasn't that Landon hadn't expected Christopher to move into lodgings of his own. He was fully aware his brother wanted to spread his wings. After all, it was he who had located and facilitated Christopher's purchase of the townhouse within walking distance of their law offices. Of course, no one knew of his involvement except for the owner from whom Christopher purchased the property.

Landon turned back to stare out the window. Christopher's trunks were being systematically loaded into a lorry that was already half full.

Landon asked, "I'm fully aware you had made preparations to acquire and relocate to your own bachelor lodgings. However…" He left his vantage point by the window and walked to the sideboard. As he passed by Mary, the woman's lips curled into a pleasant smile. Whatever Mary was about, a drink would help fortify his shot nerves. Splashing a healthy portion of brandy into a tumbler, he continued, "With Bronwyn away—why the rush to move today?"

Christopher moved to the spot Landon had vacated moments before. "Looks to be a rather fine day. No clouds. A perfect day to transport my things." His brother spun and rushed to the door. Christopher strolled, never rushed. He'd have to interrogate Christopher later, but right now Landon's priority was to wait for his errant wife to return.

As Christopher opened the door to leave, he paused. Halfway out, his brother smiled and said, "I'd love to stay and keep you company, but there is a stack of files awaiting me at the office. Your jaunt to Scotland has set me back. In addition, it's been challenging to find another assistant as competent as my last. Alas, I shall be buried in casework."

Christopher's speech sounded like one of his well-rehearsed closing statements. His complaint regarding it being a challenge to find a new assistant was highly peculiar. Landon himself had reviewed the list of interviewees prior to his departure for Gretna Green. He ensured every candidate was more than qualified for the position. He continued to ponder his brother's monologue when Mary mumbled the word alone.

Landon glanced at Mary. "I apologize, were you speaking to me?"

The couple had appeared on the steps of his townhouse at the crack of dawn. Waterford's lame excuse of an accident involving a broken stove in their kitchens and of his need for a good hearty breakfast didn't hold water, but he hadn't pressed for details.

Mary raised her voice a tad louder and replied, "I said—it'll be quiet here, with you all alone."

The woman was up to no good. Her gaze skirted his. Mary was a terrible liar.

Landon stalked back to the window. But his attention wasn't on Christopher coordinating the last-minute details of his move outside, it was concentrated on the shadowed reflection of Mary and Waterford. The couple was making the most amusing gestures behind his back as they tried to communicate in silence. It was apparent they were not in agreement whatever it was they were discussing.

He cleared his throat and turned to face them. "I forgot to inform Christopher that I wish for him to accompany me to Harrington's dinner party tomorrow eve." Landon briskly headed for the door. "I shall return in a moment."

Closing the door behind him, Landon stepped in place and then lightened his footfalls to mimic his leaving. With his eyes closed and an ear pressed to the wood, Landon tried to decipher the couple's conversation.

The scent of daisies set his heart pounding. "Eavesdropping is a terrible habit." He stood frozen at Bronwyn's sweet, teasing whisper. He'd wished for three long days Bronwyn would magically appear. What if he opened his eyes, and it was his imagination playing tricks on him?

Slowly opening his eyes, he suppressed the bubble of laughter as he took in the sight of his wife bent at the waist facing him with her ear pressed against the door.

With her blue eyes sparkling up at him, Bronwyn said, "Mary sounds rather anxious today, wouldn't you say?"

He cupped her flushed cheek. "You're here."

Bronwyn straightened and stepped closer, pressing him back against the drawing-room door. He ran his thumb over the dark circles under her eye. "You're home."

She planted her hands on his chest and rose on to her tiptoes to lightly press her lips against his. Elation flowed throughout him as he wrapped both arms around her waist and pulled her tighter to him. His wife's tongue traced his lower lip before she deepened the kiss.

Thank goodness the door behind him supported his weight. His knees nearly buckled as his wife's hand roamed lower to cup his rigid cock.

She released his mouth. "I'm happy to see you too."

The door opened, and they toppled to the drawing-room floor. "Oomph."

With Bronwyn atop of him, he wished Waterford and Mary could magically disappear.

"Oh my!" Mary stood over them with a hand over her mouth. The mirth in her chocolate eyes evident. "Husband, I think best if we take our leave now."

Landon remained flat on the floor as Bronwyn scrambled to her feet and embraced Mary. "I've missed you!"

"I suspect not at much as you missed your husband." Mary giggled. "And definitely not as much as he missed you. Shall I return for tea?"

Before either Bronwyn or Landon could answer, Waterford said, "I believe Lady Bronwyn will be otherwise disposed this afternoon. Plus, I have plans for us today."

"What plans?" Mary asked.

Waterford replied, "I'm taking you shopping."

Mary gave Bronwyn one last squeeze and then turned to her husband. "Are we going to visit the apothecary?" At Waterford's nod, Mary smiled and waved goodbye over her shoulder.

As soon as the couple had disappeared, Bronwyn asked, "Why did Mary look excited to visit the apothecary?"

Landon rose to his feet and chuckled. "If I had to guess, they are off to buy more French letters."

"Whatever for?"

"They have decided not to have children." Landon grabbed Bronwyn's hand and drew her over to the settee. "No need to frown. Waterford agreed to the arrangement before they married."

Bronwyn released his hand and adjusted her skirts as she asked, "But Waterford is an earl; what of the title?"

"The earldom shall pass to his cousin, who is a fair sort."

"But what of the Network?" Bronwyn sat, and when Landon did the same, she added. "Who will succeed him on the council?"

Landon reached for her hands that were clasped tightly in her lap. "Do you believe it fair that the council be comprised of a select few families and designated by lineage? With the departure of Tobias, Lord Burke, to America, I'm faced with the dilemma that the Protection of the Royal Family is limited to two families, instead of three."

Bronwyn's brows slanted down into a deep frown. "You are talking of rules and traditions established long ago. Are you considering altering how things have been done for generations?"

"As the holder of the rondure, I could, but I'll not abuse the power and authority that has been granted to me." Landon couldn't resist. He leaned forward and pulled her onto his lap before continuing. "There must have been a reason why events led to the rondure resurfacing after all these years." Landon searched his wife's features and settled his gaze upon her intelligent eyes. "I've spent many months considering the why, what and how, with little success. I suspect the answer requires more than pure logic. It was one of the reasons why I decided to propose to you."

Wide-eyed Bronwyn said, "I don't understand. You didn't even know my affiliation to the Network when you proposed."

He shook his head. "You still haven't fully grasped your worth." He leaned down to whisper, "Your keen mind was but one of the reasons why I chose you for wife." Nibbling on her ear, he confessed, "I married the woman who captured my heart and compels me to live without fear but with faith that matters will be resolved. I merely need to be patient."