The Accidental Duke (The Mad Matchmaking Men of Waterloo Book 1) by Devlin, Barbara (love letters to the dead .TXT) 📕

“Nostalgia.” He mulled Larrey’s book and rubbed his chin. “A fascinating treatise I was ready to discount, but I am grateful I listened to you.”

“I am so glad you think so, because I see so much of you in his words.” After fluffing her pillows, she settled amid the down. “While I know it is a sensitive topic, which I more than understand, I only wanted to help.”

“I know that.” He nodded once. “Like you, I saw myself on every page. Between the lines in each paragraph. It was if he knew me.”

“And what did you learn?”

“That I am not insane.” He exhaled and savored the liberating declaration. “That thousands of soldiers, regardless of rank, disability, or background, suffer the same symptoms, and it is an enormous relief to know that I am not an oddity. I am not alone.” Anthony leaned forward and rested his elbow to his knee. “Until yesterday, when I examined Larrey’s deductions, there was always the smallest amount of uncertainty, given I assessed myself. Since my father seemed so insistent, I presumed there could be a kernel of truth to his position. That I might just be unhinged, but now I know he is mistaken.”

“You are not mad, my lord. Although you are a vast deal more than a little ardent in your affections, but that is an observation, and your lack of a limb does not impair you, in that respect, as I well learned last night.” She folded her arms, adopting an authoritative posture that might have worked had she not dropped the sheet and bared a single, rosy nipple. “In regard to your injury and what you witnessed in battle, you are misunderstood, and I will defend you, no matter what the world throws at us. Just let your father try to separate us. There will be a fine wake in this house.”

“From the start, you believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. You supported me.” He inclined his head and studied her delicate features. “Instead of giving up on me, you sought knowledge to understand me. Had the storm not triggered a response, I may have been able to practice Larrey’s suggestions on managing my symptoms. However, I would have remained oblivious to his solutions had you not brought them to my attention, and I am forever in your debt, but I may have something to offer in modest repayment, compared to your priceless gift, if you will wait here.”

“Anthony, you owe me nothing.” She reached for her robe. “I promise, I enjoyed last night. Indeed, I shall never forget it.”

“Stay where you are.” He snatched the garment from her grip. “And don’t get dressed.”

“But Emily should be here, in an hour or so, with our morning meal.” She cast a lopsided grin. “Would you have me break my fast sans clothing?”

“Of course not.” Halfway to the armoire, he halted. “But let us not entirely abandon the idea.”

“Scandalous,” she replied.

“And yet you appear interested.” He chuckled. After turning the key, he opened one side of the hand-carved chest and drew a velvet covered box from between a stack of neatly folded shirts. “I was saving this to commemorate the night we consummated our vows. I had no inkling it would occur under such inauspicious circumstances.”

“Don’t say that, because it was truly memorable for me.” She scooted to the center of the bed, and he perched at the edge of the mattress and handed her the parcel. “Whatever it is, I love it, already.”

“I hope so.” Tension built in the pit of his belly. “Because I moved heaven and earth to purchase it for you.”

“You are thoughtful.” She lifted the lid and gasped. “Oh, Anthony. It is magnificent. Never have I seen anything so beautiful.”

“They are but fancy baubles.” He traced the curve of her cheek with his finger. “You are beautiful.”

“You are too kind, my lord, but I am not sure I can accept something so extravagant.” From a bed of cotton, Arabella retrieved a necklace, the centerpiece of a parure comprised of a matching bracelet, earrings, brooch, stomacher, ring, and diadem boasting large, oval faceted sapphires accented by green chrysoberyl and diamonds set in precious gold filigree. “And you have me at a disadvantage, because I have naught to give you.”

“My dear, you gave me your most precious gift, and you gave me peace of mind. Also, it is my duty, as your husband, to dress and adorn you.” He longed to kiss her, even as he cautioned himself against getting her with child. “I am told the jewels were once worn by Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia.”

“They are magnificent.” The look with which she favored him almost brought him to tears. “I shall treasure them, always.”

“I am pleased they meet with your approval.”

“Does this mean you are no longer vexed with me?” she asked in a small voice. “I am forgiven for hiding Larrey’s book from you?”

“My sweet wife, I admit I was disappointed—”

“You were furious with me.”

“I concede that point, and I regret it. Perhaps I overreacted. If I may, permit me to explain.” He scooted closer, so he could hold her hand. “From the moment we met, you have planted your loyalties firmly in my favor. I knew it when you stood in the window of the drawing room in your family’s home, after I rudely walked out on you. When you stared at me through the glass, my insides stirred. You touched me without actually touching me, and I found that infinitely more unnerving than our forced engagement. I suppose I knew then that there was something between us, even though I tried to deny it.”

“I felt it, too.” She nodded. “And that belief set my course, from the start.”

“Because you had faith in me, I had faith in you.” He squeezed her fingers. “That you kept a secret, however well-intended, from me hurt more than you realize. I need you in my corner, because often it seems as though you