“I’m not certain what I’m hoping for at this point,” Derek said as he stepped back and picked up his bag. “All I know is that I need to return home and see to my family. That is all that matters now.”
Tristan nodded, his face sober once again. “I understand, and I’m happy for you.” He stepped forward then and grasped Derek’s shoulders, strong emotions lighting up his blue eyes. “Thank you, my friend, for everything you’ve done, for watching over me all those years at the expense of your own life and happiness. I will not forget it.”
Uncomfortable with his friend’s words of praise, Derek merely nodded. “I only did what was right as did you when you helped my sister that night when she needed someone, and I wasn’t there. You did not know her or me, and yet, you did not hesitate to help…and you did not ask for anything in return. Those are the true marks of a gentleman, are they not?”
Tristan grinned as a touch of red rose to his cheeks. “Is it selflessness you speak of? To take care of others before thinking of yourself? Is that not exactly what you’re doing right now? Allowing your wife to choose?”
Drawing in a deep breath, Derek stepped back and turned to the door. “Believe me, I’m not being selfless at all,” he said, striding toward the grand double-door entrance.
“Because you’re hoping for something in return?” Tristan asked from behind him.
Stopping in his tracks, Derek turned his head to look at his friend. Then he sighed and nodded. “I fear I cannot help it.”
“I don’t think it’s wrong to hope for your wife’s affections,” Tristan stated, his gaze serious as he shook his head. “As long as you don’t forget to reveal your own.”
Derek nodded, uncertain if he would ever be able to do so, and yet, had he not all but confessed to her last night that he had wanted her from the moment he had first seen her? Turning his head, Derek glanced up the winding staircase to the upper floor where his wife was still in her bedchamber, asleep.
“I promise I shall look after her,” Tristan promised solemnly. “No harm shall come to her.”
Derek nodded. “Thank you.” For a moment, he hesitated and the muscles in his jaw clenched as he opened his mouth once more. “But do not…interfere with her choices.”
Tristan drew in a slow breath as his gaze held Derek’s, needing to make certain he understood his friend’s meaning. “If that is what you wish.”
Hardly, Derek thought, but it is what I must do!
“Were you not going to say goodbye?” a female voice chided from the landing of the large staircase, and for a split second, Derek’s heart felt as though it would jump out of his chest. However, then he realised that his ears had deceived him, and that it was not his wife standing there, but Tristan’s.
A teasing smile drew up Beth’s lips as she came toward him. “You thought I was she,” she observed with her shrewd ability to read other people’s thoughts. “You wanted it to be her.”
Ignoring her comments, Derek cleared his throat. “I apologise, my lady. However, I wished to set out early and thought it rude to wake you at such an hour.”
With a twinkle in her eyes, she stepped forward. “And you didn’t think it rude to leave without bidding me farewell?”
Beside him, Tristan chuckled. “She got you now, old friend.”
Shooting a warning glance at his friend, Derek inclined his head to Beth in apology. “You have my sincerest regrets for not considering your sensibilities, my lady.”
Now, it was Beth who chuckled. “I do not want them,” she said, a teasing tone to her voice as she slipped her arm through her husband’s. “What I want is your assurance that we will see you again soon.”
Derek tensed. “At present, I have no intention of returning to London any time soon.”
“I see,” his friend’s wife continued. “In that case, we shall be the ones to pay you a visit.”
“As soon as I’ve been able to finish the repairs at Huntington House,” Derek agreed as a looming suspicion crawled up his bones, “you shall be the first ones to see it. However, it will probably be a while.”
As expected, Beth shook her head. “I’m afraid I cannot agree to this,” she objected in a stern voice, and yet, her eyes sparkled with mischief. “From what you told us of the estate’s condition, that could take years.”
Derek inhaled a deep breath as his friend intercepted his wife’s suggestion. “As we are to travel to Scotland for Christmas, I suggest we stop at Huntington House on our way.” Raising his eyebrows in question, Tristan looked from his wife to Derek. “Only for a few days.”
Knowing when he was defeated, Derek nodded. “It will be my pleasure.”
Beth smiled. “I doubt it, but it will be mine.”
Once more, Tristan chuckled, and Derek noticed his arm tightening around his wife’s as she leaned against him. Those subtle intimacies spoke of great trust and devotion. And yet, it had not developed over night. It had taken time. Their start into marriage had been rocky as well.
Maybe there was still hope for his own marriage. Maybe…
Derek shook his head, determinedly pushing all thoughts of his wife away. After all, he had more important matters to think of now.
And so, bidding his friends goodbye, he strode out of the house, mounted his trusted horse and turned northward…toward home and family. And although he did his utmost to think of the work ahead and nothing else, deep down Derek knew that it was an exercise in futility.
Even if he tried, he would not be able to forget Lady Madeline.
Especially now that she was his wife.
***
All the confusion that had seized her heart the night before was still there when Madeline opened her eyes the next morning. Reminding herself that she was a guest in someone else’s home, she found herself wondering what today would bring. Her husband would travel to his estate and as his wife she ought to go with him. However, he had made it clear the night before that he did not desire her company. Had he not all but told her to stay in London?
Leaving her room, Madeline ventured down the large staircase, trying to remember the location of the breakfast parlour. As her wedding day had passed in a blur, she had paid little attention to her surroundings. However, as her feet reached the ground floor, her hostess’ voice called out to her.
“Lady Ainsworth, I hope you slept well.”
Turning to face the golden-haired viscountess, Madeline nodded, trying her best to hide the uncertainty that held her rigid. “Yes, I did. Thank you. It is very kind of you to allow us to stay here.”
A deep smile came to the woman’s face as she grasped Madeline’s hand. “Oh, it is our pleasure. Derek…Lord Ainsworth is a very good friend of ours. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
Surprised at the viscountess’ familiarity, Madeline tried to remember what she knew about the woman who had opened up her home to her. However, apart from the scandal that had led to her marriage to the viscount?not unlike the scandal that had led to Madeline’s own marriage?she could not recall any details. After all, before today the viscountess had been of no concern to her. “Thank you,” she finally said, displeased with the need for gratitude because of her new situation forced upon her. “However, I do believe my husband is intent on returning to his estate sometime today and?”
“He already left,” the viscountess interrupted, her clear blue eyes watching Madeline openly…and yet, without any sign of judgement.
“He already left?” Madeline echoed stupidly, unable to wrap her mind around the enigma that was her husband. Why had he not bid her farewell? Had he been afraid she would have insisted on accompanying him? Had he been that desperate to rid himself of her?
Madeline sighed, trying her best to hide her disappointment. He truly did not want her, did he?