The Undoing of a Libertine (Somerset Historicals 2)

Gina cupped his face. “Could be. She looks at him rather the way I look at you.”

Jeremy nodded thoughtfully for dramatic effect. “So you want me to indulge the whims of our courting servants, do you? Next thing I know, Ned will be asking for promotion so he can marry her!” He kept his face stoic.

“Well, in this instance, yes, Jeremy, I do,” she said imperiously. “I cannot imagine that two loyal servants courting would be much of a bother to you, and since I know you to be the very best of men, and that helping Danny is the upstanding thing to do, I am sure a place can be found for the poor boy.”

She waited on his answer, perched so sweetly upon his lap.

“Will you do it?” she asked after a moment, questioning his long silence, the hint of frustration lacing her words.

He kissed her first. “You never asked for anything before. I love that you are asking something of me now. I hope it is just the first of many requests you will make of me. Seeing you happy is my joy. And yes, my darling sweetheart, I will make a place for Danny. In fact, I have beaten you to it. I met with Ned and Danny not one hour ago, and it’s already settled. He will come to live at Hallborough and

work under Ned, who will groom him as a driver.”

“And Ned and Jane?” Georgina asked.

Jeremy shrugged. “Who am I to interfere with Cupid’s Arrow among starry-eyed lovers?”

She giggled at him.

“Does my lordly pronouncement meet with your approval, my lady wife?”

“You know it does, Jeremy. Thank you for helping Danny. It’s the right thing for us to do. I owe him more than I can ever repay.”

Jeremy thought her declaration odd and rather a bit dramatic. “Well, yes, he made all the difference in helping to rescue you from—”

“No, Jeremy. That is not the reason I owe so much to that boy.”

“What could possibly be the reason then?” he asked unbelievingly.

“You. You are my reason, Jeremy.” She kissed him on his forehead. “Without Danny knowing the way, we could have never reached hospital so quickly. Ned said he didn’t know where to go. Danny directed us straight to Dr. Cameron in time to save your life. You owe your life to him.”

“And not just to him. Also to you, my Gina.”

Jeremy held onto her for a long time, wondering if he now lived in a waking dream. So much of the foundation upon which his whole life had been built felt like air underneath him. Things that had held importance before meant little now. Self-gratifying behaviors were just that. They entertained the self, but didn’t offer anything helpful to the common good.

“Are you all right? You seem very far away.”

He smiled at his beloved. “I am well, sweetheart. Just wool-gathering a bit. Thinking about how blessed I am.” He touched the tip of her nose. “Mostly because of you.” Then he remembered her words from before. “Didn’t you say you had two things to see me about?”

“Yes I did. My darling, the post has come, and a letter from—well, this has arrived for you.” Her voice betrayed the calm expression she wore as she held out the envelope to him and moved up, off his lap.

He took it from Gina’s hand and read the sender’s address. Mdme. T. Blufette. Dread hit him like a wall, and he was afraid to read it.

He knew fear in the moment. What would it say? Goddamn! Did he have an illegitimate child that he’d never known about? How could that be? He’d always used precautions, and he’d never been with Therese in that way. She was the proprietress, not a working girl. He just couldn’t imagine whatever it was that Therese Blufette wanted from him, but thought it couldn’t be good.

Gina’s expression was unreadable as she looked at him from her seat. He shook his head. “I don’t know what this is. I cannot imagine what she wants to talk to me about, but whatever it is, I want you to hear it, too. I’ll face any news she has to tell if you don’t forsake me.”

She rose from her chair and walked over to him. He stood up slowly and faced her.

Emotion overpowered him again, and he felt his vision go blurry. “I’ve never been more helpless and terrified than when you were in Strawnly’s grip. I’d die to protect you, and willingly. You are that precious to me.” He leaned a little closer. “Whatever this is Therese wants from me, I can solve if I have you safe and by my side and know you’ll always be there.”

She raised her brows. “You know I will be, Jeremy.” She spoke rather severely to him. “Please don’t doubt my loyalty, right now or in the future. After all we’ve been through, you must recognize it by now.” Her voice got deeper, the husky sound he adored tempering her chastisement. “I thought we agreed to forgive those things which came before we found each other.”

He stared at her for the longest time—her furrowed brows and solemn strength, resolute before him. It was all he could do until the words could form on his lips.

“I never believed in love. Thought it was idiotic fodder for poets and artists. But I was wrong, so very wrong. I knew of my error the day I spied you in the rain at Oakfield. Something snapped inside my chest, and I felt instantly different, changed somehow. I could sense it but had no idea how or why such feelings could be in me. I just knew I wanted you. You. It will only ever be you.” He locked on to her clear, serious eyes. “I gave up my disavowal of love in an instant and had no regrets. I wanted to love you, but more than anything I wanted you to love me.” He held out both hands to her. She grasped them in hers with strength, and he knew great relief. “And I know that you do.”

He pulled Gina into his arms. Solid under his trembling hands, her silent embrace all the reassurance he needed. Yes, his Gina was a gentle woman but stronger than anyone he’d ever known. Courage like an ancient Greek goddess. Artemis came to mind… Bow pulled taut, ready to fly a deadly arrow, steadfast to the end. What a portrait that would make—Gina portrayed as Artemis.