Harriet rolled a sip on her tongue. “It’s better to say I’ve gotten used to the taste.”
“Cognac tastes better.”
“I shall be sure to try it after this bottle is done.” They settled into a comfortable silence, sipping their drinks.
“My mother used to enjoy nightcaps such as these when she was still alive.”
“With your father?”
Harriet shook her head. “No, alone. Sometimes I’d sneak in her room to keep her company before she chased me away.” Much like she did with Leeds every night.
“As long as I’m here, love, you will always have someone to accompany you for a nightcap.”
Another companionable silence lengthened.
She should ask him.
Why did you marry me? Why the rush? Why the fiery determination? Because of those wagers?Leeds, being a member of White’s, would have heard about the betting book, right? Could she risk asking, risk inadvertently betrayingthe other women’s confidence? But still, those wagers had apparently been enough reason for her father to marry her off, but surely they could not account for Leeds going so far as to jump into the Thames after her. Could they?
In the end, she didn’t ask. She didn’t want to disturb the harmony of these moments, which were becoming ones she looked forward to. What if she didn’t like the answer?
No, there would be other opportunities. For now there were still other, less delicate layers she could peel away.
“You should return to your room if you are finished.”
“But I like yours better.” He smiled. “You are in it.”
Lawd. There he went again, melting her bones.
Harriet observed him from beneath her lashes, her cheeks, neck, and ears burning. He wouldn’t push. He’d leave if she kicked him out. But... she didn’t really want to. “Save these words for your little notes, will you?”
He chuckled, and then fell into a moment of silence before he said, “Your dowry was transferred to an account in your name.”
Startled, she asked, “What?”
“From a legal standpoint, I know the gesture doesn’t mean much. But it’s yours.” A pause. “I’ve no intention of ever touching it.”
Harriet didn’t know how to respond to that. In the end, she could only ask, “When did you do this?”
“The day after we wed. I’ll have my solicitor send you the details.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this from the start?” He probably hadn’t thought it important enough to mention.
“I didn’t think it would matter.”
Just as she thought. “Well, it matters,” Harriet said. Even though, by right, it all still belonged to him, it mattered. “What made you tell me?”
He dragged a hand through his hair, drawing her attention to the lines of his face. Hard lines. But handsome. “I was reminded that the things I might take for granted are not necessarily the things others take for granted.”
Others—meaning her.
“Let me guess, a certain duke has something to do with this revelation?”
The lips curved upward, and Harriet couldn’t help but notice the tempting arch. Those lips that had kissed her once, and many more times in her dreams, in each instance stealing a bit more of her breath than the last. She blinked away the memories and dreams that surfaced in her head. This was not the time to notice her husband’s lips! Lord, his lips alone might just be the biggest catastrophe of her lifetime.
But he hadn’t married her for her dowry.
“How did you guess?” he asked.
