The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath Page A

Besides, a good wife is not supposed to question her husband.”
    â€œWe long ago established that I’m not always a good wife.” She swirled her wine, inhaled again, set the glass aside. If he had to guess, he’d say she missed wine, but he had to admire her strength in not indulging. Her gaze came back to him and he felt it like a punch. “You didn’t marry me simply to gain an heir. You love me.”
    Was that doubt in her voice? He didn’t love her, but he wasn’t going to lie to her either. “Every Earl of Greyling married for love.”
    Her brow furrowed. “How do you know that?”
    â€œMarsden told us.”
    â€œHow did it even come up?” Skepticism laced her voice.
    â€œWhen our parents died, we lost a good bit of our history. That’s something one doesn’t really consider, how much one learns through stories shared. It bothered Edward, the things we didn’t know. How did our parents meet? What was Father like as a student? Every night before we went to bed, Edward would insist that we share something our parents had told us and he would write it into a journal. When we ran out of stories, he began to ask Marsden to share what he knew. I think that’s why Edward enjoyed weaving elaborate tales. He didn’t like the idea of history not being passed on. He probably would have made a passable minstrel.”
    â€œWhat became of the journal?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it in years.”
    â€œMaybe you’ll find it when you begin going through Edward’s things.”
    Not likely. He’d given it to Albert for safekeeping, to be passed on to his heir. Maybe when he went through Albert’s things. “Perhaps.”
    â€œSpeaking of Edward’s things . . . I would be happy—­no, happy is not the correct word. I wish it didn’t have to be done, but I could sort through Edward’s belongings, spare you the sadness of it.”
    It was an odd thing to realize how involved she was, how conscientious she was of lightening his burden. Her husband’s burden. He couldn’t forget who she was truly assisting or thought she was. Still, of all the women Edward had been with over the years, not one had ever seemed to care about any burden he might carry. They were only interested in what being with him might gain them. Even if circumstances were different, he wouldn’t have known how to accept her generous offer, but he did know it wasn’t Edward’s possessions that needed going through. He also knew that eventually she would be the one to go through things. Perhaps they would go through them together.
    If she didn’t hate him with every breath she took.
    â€œI appreciate the offer but I’ll see to the task.”
    â€œWhat about his residence in London? I suspect you’ll want to get his possessions out of there as soon as possible.”
    â€œI don’t see the need to rush.”
    â€œBut you’re shelling out money on a lease that’s no longer needed.”
    â€œI can well afford it.” The words came out too tart. He softened his voice. “I have no desire to leave you alone until after the babe is born. And you certainly have no business traveling to London.”
    â€œYou could send word to the servants to simply pack up his things—­”
    â€œNo!” He still needed his own London residence, as he intended for her and the child to live in the dwellings that belonged to the earl. “It’s a matter that can wait. As I’m finished with dinner, if you’ll excuse me—­”
    Her hand came to rest over his, causing the rest of his words to back up in his throat.
    â€œI’m sorry. I don’t mean to push. I know going through his belongings will only bring home that he is truly gone. You’ll take care of it when you’re ready to face it.”
    â€œWhen