Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Theo couldn't take his eyes off of Adelaide, hunched in front of the window. He wasn't sure what she could possibly be looking at, considering that London had been cast into a dense fog, leaving the world around them masked from view.

It wasn't likely safe to be traveling in this weather, but he knew that he couldn't let Addie remain in town. The positive side was that the fog would restrict any search party who might have attempted to follow them. It provided some measure of comfort.

His eyes traced the arch of her back which was covered in thin, dusty rose silk. The buttons fell one by one along the curve of her spine, teasing him. He was a wretch of a man, but all he could think of at the moment was touching each and every one. Or rather, undoing each and every one. After months apart, he wanted nothing more than to hold her close.

Sliding along the bench of the carriage they had hired to make an unmarked exit from London, he made his way toward Addie. Slowly, Theo wrapped his arm around her torso, feeling the swell of her belly beneath him. He felt, instead of heard, a slight intake of breath as he pulled her tightly against him before leaning back against the carriage bench again.

She relaxed into him, her soft body resting along the lines of his taut one.

His other arm wound around her so that both hands could spread the width of her bump. The act of possession could mean nothing other than: mine.

Theo was in shock. He had felt, and continued to feel, a blissful numbness at the news of becoming a father. He never would have imagined being so content at such knowledge. But he was in awe of the feeling.

Adelaide nestled deeper into his embrace and his heart, full again for the first time since the day he had left her. Fuller, if possible, with his child beneath his hands. Christ, he had been so scared for her when the bells had begun to ring for George's death. And then to see her show up, her pregnancy bared for all to see.

Of course, he wouldn't have faulted her for it. If it had been George's child, that is. But his relief, nay his sheer joy, when she had announced that they had never been intimate, it had been palpable.

"What are you thinking?" Addie whispered, speaking into the carriage.

He leaned forward, so his lips brushed her ear as he spoke. "I'm thinking about how selfishly relieved I am that you are in my arms once more."

She nodded, her golden hair rubbing against his clean-shaven chin. "I know. I am so terribly grieved by George's death, but cannot help myself for feeling happiness in being here with you." Her hands met his on top of her stomach. "I despaired that I would never get the chance to tell you about him."

"Him?" Theo questioned with a chuckle.

"Yes, I do believe it is a boy." He could almost hear her smile. And then he could hear when the smile vanished. "You needn't feel obligated, you know," she said. "Toward the babe and myself."

Theo jerked back as if struck. He lifted his hands to her upper arms, deftly turning her where she sat. She peered at him in surprise.

"Addie. Adelaide. What did I tell you before you left to marry the prince?"

Addie began shaking her head, her eyes leaving his. Her arms still grasped in his hands, he shook her until she looked up again. "Addie. What did I say?"

"You said that you loved me," she despaired in a small voice. Despaired?

"And have you any doubt that has changed?" he demanded, feeling angry that she would even have to pause to think that his love for her was anything but the deepest.