a young lady avoiding marriage to a waddling pear when you came upon me.” Her head fell to his chest. “You paid Winthrop to go away, didn’t you?”
Tony took her hands and pressed a kiss to her fingers. “I did. He kept flinging about having a verbal agreement with your aunt and alluded to a contract, though I could find no evidence they’d actually agreed on one. Winthrop is greedy. But I understand now why you were so determined to have Carstairs. He would never have delved into your finances or taken control from you. No wonder you wanted an unintelligent husband.”
“I failed miserably at that. You meet none of my parameters.”
“I don’t suppose I do.” He held her tightly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Winthrop, but my mind was elsewhere. Quite frankly, I’d forgotten all about him and his stupid shoes until tonight.”
Tony had been trying to come to terms with the emotional turmoil caused by his marriage. But he’d made sure, against his solicitor’s recommendations, that no matter what happened, Maggie was to be given what was hers.
“There is a bit more, I’m afraid. Your aunt, in return for throwing her support behind Winthrop to overturn that portion of your father’s will, was to receive a large chunk of your dowry. Did you know your father supported your aunt for years? Probably out of guilt for the scandal he created when he married your mother. And Lord Dobson left her in dire straits when he died. I suppose she felt she had no choice.”
Maggie grew very still. “Everyone has a choice. No wonder she wanted me to marry him.”
“I took care of Winthrop. And I settled a sum on your aunt, with the condition that she never contact you again. You may change the terms if you wish.”
“No. I don’t wish.” She snuggled closer. “Thank you, Welles.”
“I will never touch what is yours, Maggie. If you wish to start your own bloody orchestra and pension off every ancient accordion player at Covent Garden, I will not object, but please, I prefer they not all practice in my study.”
“My conservatory,” she corrected him with a smile.
“You could buy dozens of pianos and put one in every room of the house. Or you could donate the entire sum to Mrs. Anderson. The money is yours and will stay yours.”
“I feel much better now, my lord.” Maggie took his hand and pressed a kiss to the palm before placing it to cup her cheek.
Welles’s heart contracted painfully in his chest.
“You are a good husband, Welles.”
He blinked, surprised at the compliment. How the ton would roll with laughter to know the jaded rake Lord Welles would do anything to hear such praise from his wife. “I hope to be.” Voice thick with emotion, Tony brushed his lips against hers, gratified when she attempted to climb into his lap.
“I’m sorry I don’t meet all of your requirements for a husband,” he said into the curve of her neck. “But I can take up horse breeding or something and attempt to ignore you.”
“I suppose that’s something.” She tilted up her chin for another kiss.
As the carriage pulled up in front of his house, Tony helped her out, tucking her into his side before leading Maggie upstairs directly to his room. Since his return, Tony had insisted she sleep next to him at night, claiming he often grew cold without her. It was the most ridiculous of excuses. The truth was he liked waking up with her next to him.
“Daisy,” he called through the door to the maid who was waiting in Maggie’s room. “You’re dismissed for the evening. “I’ll assist my wife tonight.” He shut the connecting door, after assuring his valet he could see to his own needs as well.
“Daisy must wonder why she never has to make my bed.” Maggie’s eyes were luminous in the candlelight, like brushed velvet.
“She will continue to wonder. I grow cold at night without you.” He cupped her face in his hands and pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “I’m sorry about Lady Isley and every other woman in the future who may challenge your patience.”
“I know.” Her head tilted as she ran a finger down his jaw.
He spun her around and began to slowly undo the row of tiny pearl-shaped buttons at her back. After the first three, Tony pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her spine, breathing in her scent.
“I wanted you from the first moment I saw you,” he whispered.