Page 122 of A Single Obsession

“Are you sure you want to get married tonight? If you’d prefer to wait and wed in your father’s church, I’m prepared to cope with your grandmother’s disapproval.”

“I see no reason to delay, but what about you? Grandmama can be rather forceful, and if she is rushing you—”

Beau didn’t let her finish her sentence, claiming her mouth with his own.

Chapter 52

The next morning, Beau awoke with a smile on his lips, and Eliza snuggled up beside him. For years, his mother had pushed and prodded, threatened and manipulated him, but in the end, he had reached this point of his own free will.

Eliza was his wife, and he was the happiest man alive.

As he kissed her cheek, she snaked her arm around his neck and drew him toward her. Their lips met in a caress filled with such promise that it almost turned him from his purpose.

He pulled away, his breathing ragged, as he uttered a single word: “Mother.”

In an instant, his beloved’s face was transformed, and she leapt out of bed with no further prompting, and dived into his dressing room.

A few minutes later, the now-familiar sight of a slim youth in breeches pranced in front of him.

Eliza’s cheeks were tinted pink. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve no habit with me and I desperately need to ride. The thought of facing your mother is—unnerving.”

Beau chuckled. “I’d like to see her face if you met her like that. I can just hear her. That’s not suitable attire for a viscountess,” he said, mimicking her voice.

She attempted a smile, but he could tell his teasing had not reassured his wife. He put his arms around her waist and drew her close. “You’ve nothing to fear from her. I’ll look after you.”

“You’d better, or my grandmother will have something to say about it. You promised.”

“However, I’m uncertain I approve of your attire.”

Her face fell. “Oh? I thought…I hoped…too many uncomfortable memories?”

“On the contrary. It is most distracting, and I feel rather possessive. I’m not sure I want my wife displaying her legs for other men to see.”

“Then you have no other objections?”

Beau shook his head. “It’s part of who you are, my gorgeous, reckless wife—and I love you. All of you. Besides, I have a distinct advantage over other men. You’re mine.”

“Yes. I am.”

With these words, a grin spread across Eliza’s face, bringing out the dimple in her chin.

“I’ll meet you in the stables as soon as this ordeal is over,” he said, pressing his lips to hers one last time before she slipped out the room.

Once dressed for riding, Beau too left his bedroom, pocketing the key and shutting the door behind him. He stationed himself by a window overlooking the drive, so he knew the moment his mother arrived.

Even if he had not seen her carriage draw up, he would have known as soon as she entered the house. Beau cringed as her voice drifted up the stairs.

“Where is my son? I heard he had an accident. Take me to him.”

“I’m not sure his lordship would—”

“Remember your place, Mrs Allett,” his mother snapped, making Beau cringe with embarrassment. He would apologise to his loyal retainer later for subjecting her to his parent’s poor manners.

He watched from a discreet distance as his housekeeper appeared at the top of the stairs, followed closely by Lady Harting. His temper bubbled up inside of him as he saw his mother enter his bedchamber without so much as a single knock.

He strode along the corridor and stopped at the threshold of his room. From the doorway, he could see her staring at the empty bed.

“I don’t understand. Where is my son?”