His voice is light as he follows me into the room. “A solarium. I was quite shocked to find it here, but the previous landowner had the room modified for his late wife, who had a passion for growing flowers. Quite beautiful, is it not?”
I walk the perimeter of the room, my gaze trailing from the large, wide windows on three walls to the pitched roof covered in glass. Though the windowpanes are dirty, I can clearly see the cloudless sky above. Beautiful doesn’t begin to cover it.
Arthur hums gently. “I think this would make a fine observatory, don’t you?”
There’s a stutter in my chest as well as in my step. I turn back around to find my husband smiling.
He goes on almost offhandedly. “It could use a bit of cleaning. The outside glass will be tricky, but I’m sure we can find a way. We’ll want furnishings, as well. A desk. A settee, perhaps, if I’m to lounge in here while you work. Likely an extra blanket or two, as the room does suffer an unfortunate draft. The telescope may take time, but I’ll place an order as soon as I’m back in town. What do you think, my—”
Arthur’s words cut off as I wrap my arms around him. He laughs, a joyous sound, his own arms coming around me tight as I press my face against the hollow of his throat. I breathe him in, my chest feeling tight, my love for this man too big for my body to contain.
And I realize, with a start…
“I never would have known you.”
Arthur stills. “What’s that?”
“If I had been born differently,” I say, the revelation as shocking as it is comforting, in a strange sort of way. “If I were raised as a gentleman, I wouldn’t know you as I do now. Our paths may have crossed, but we wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be standing with you in this home. You wouldn’t be my husband. We could never be.”
He’s quiet for a moment, his hand soothing up and down my back. “I don’t like the idea of you suffering to be with me, my love.”
“No,” I say quietly, bringing my face away from Arthur’s throat. He’s looking at me with a frown I wish I hadn’t caused. “What I mean to say is… If I can find some comfort in the lot I’ve been given, it’s this. I would choose you countless times over. I’d take a lifetime of being loved by you, Arthur Kane, over any life lived without. I’m more than certain there’s not a storm I couldn’t weather, so long as I have you at my side.”
Arthur’s eyes are wet, his inhale measured but shaky. “To hear you say so is a great joy. And it will be my honor to stand at your side through rain and thunder, my dear heart. Sunshine, too, for I hope we have plenty of it.”
“I have no doubt,” I say softly, looking around the room once more. It’s all too easy to envision a desk sitting in the middle, a grand telescope pointed toward the sky. Arthur in his settee as he drinks an evening cup of tea, and me in front of my lens, the stars bright overhead. At night, the view in here will be impeccable.
Arthur chuckles lightly. “Are you already plotting?”
I smile ruefully in response, not even trying to deny it.
He holds out his hand. “Come. Let’s sit down for lunch, and you can tell me what you need.”
I accept Arthur’s palm, giving the room one last glance before walking away. For now.
Perhaps there are some attributes about my person I would rather like to change given the chance.
But when it comes to Arthur, to us, I wouldn’t alter a single thing.
Chapter 15
Arthur
Returning to the university is a necessity, not one I’ve ever minded before. I quite like my lectures, as well as my position as a professor.
But being away from Charlie for the first time since our wedding is proving far more difficult than I had imagined. And it’s only partway through day one.
After our shared breakfast, I took my leave, as is custom. Yet with every passing minute the coachman brought me further away from the manor, I felt as if a string were being stretched taut between Charlie and myself. I only hoped he didn’t feel it, too. Preparing my materials was an exercise in focus, one I felt I was failing as my thoughts continued to wander back home, time and time again. Even now, with my final lecture all but concluded, I can barely keep from running for the door, anxious to see for myself that all is well, even though I know, surely, it must be.
This unease will pass. I know it will.
But I do so wish Charlie could be here with me as he ought to be. Not back at home, confined to the walls that will keep him safe.
A few of my students come to me after I’m done lecturing with questions on the material. I do my best to be patient, taking the time to answer them fully. Even so, it’s an immense relief when I finally exit the door of the lecture hall.
I’m nearly to my small office when I run into Mr. Valentine, Charlie’s father. I come to a slow halt, smiling as pleasantly as I can.
“Mr. Valentine,” I greet. “How do you do.”
