He choked on his words, desperate to keep himself from laughing. “And I love you, my little sweetheart.” He was touched by her big eyes and adorable smile, even if she could not draw to save her life. “Eden is my wife, and I would like to have her with me in London.”
He could have told them that the matter was not up for discussion, but it very muchwasto be discussed, since Eden had expressed concerns about leaving the children so soon after they had wed.
“Oh, Papa!” Priscilla frowned at him. “Don’t make her go with you. We need her here.” The boys agreed.
Eden regarded him helplessly.
It made sense to leave her behind, he supposed. He would be caught up in Lynton business most days and have little time to spend with her. Also, many of thetonfamilies would not be in London yet.
“Or we could all go,” Eden suggested. “While you are occupied with your business affairs, I could show the children around London. There are museums and gardens to see,bookshops and sweet shops to pass the day. Puppet theaters and boat rides. Perhaps your mother would join us, too.”
Alex did not think the dowager duchess would go for the idea. “Grandmama doesn’t want to go to London.”
“Why not?” Connor asked his son.
“Because Sir Nero positioned her, and she is thinking about it,” Priscilla replied.
“What in blazes does that mean? There’s no such thing as—” Connor inhaled sharply. “Did that old goatpropositionmy mother?”
“That’s the word, Papa!” Priscilla replied excitedly.
“Oops,” Eden said, daring not to laugh while he stood there scowling and with the proverbial smoke pouring out of his ears.
“He is a dead man,” Connor said with a growl. He started to storm out, stopped, and then turned to face them all. “We areallgoing to London, and that includes Grandmama Evelyn. I’llbloodybe damned if I let thatbloodylecherous goat put his hands on my mother. Everyone, start packing!”
The children cheered.
Eden followed after him. “You cannot force your mother to come with us.”
“Oh, yes I can. That fiend is not going to pinch your bottom or ever touch my mother again.” He marched down the hall. “Evelyn! In my study! Now!”
His mother hurried out of her bedchamber. “Connor, what on earth? Why are you shouting loudly enough to bring the rafters tumbling down on us?”
“I forbid you to see Sir Nero. He does not set foot in this house again. Nor are you to set foot in his home that he probably runs as a house of sin.”
His mother’s eyes rounded in surprise. “Good heavens, have you gone mad?”
“The children overheard him propositioning you, Evelyn,” Eden explained in response to her look of utter confusion.
Evelyn burst out laughing. “Oh, dear. Is this why you are so enraged? Do not be absurd. I have no interest in that lecherous old toad. But it is rather fun to be chased after at my age. I would never agree, of course. I fear my wrinkles would shock him into an apoplexy. Besides, your father and I were a love match. Having known love, I cannot imagine ever giving myself away so cheaply to the likes of Sir Nero Arnulfson.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” Eden muttered.
Connor let out a breath of relief as he raked a hand through his hair. “Bloody gave me a scare.”
His mother frowned at him. “Connor, your face is purple. Your little demons ought to have listened in on the entire conversation. They would have heard me refuse his flattering proposition. But I assure you, he was most insincere about it. It is Eden he really wants, and now he cannot have her.”
“Bloody right he cannot have her,” Connor replied.
“Crisis averted,” Eden intoned, her arm resting lightly on his to calm him.
Surprisingly, it worked.
Yes, Connor thought, she certainly had the ability to soothe him. In truth, everything felt right when she was beside him. This was why he wanted her to accompany him to London. Otherwise, what was he to do? Normally, he would have spent his time with Camborne and Bromleigh. But this was out of the question now that he was married to Eden and was going to remain faithful to her. At best, he might share a drink with them at one of their clubs before returning to his townhouse while they went off carousing.
He had sent letters to his friends telling of his marriage, but he was not certain those missives had reached them yet. Certainly not Camborne’s, since he was all the way north inthe Highlands. Bromleigh might have received his, for Connor had sent word to him at Lady Shoreham’s estate. However, who knew if he was still visiting his cousin or had gone back to London?
Well, if his friends had not heard yet of his marriage, then he would tell them when he saw them in London. Would it not also be sensible to introduce them to Eden at the same time?
